18-07-2025
'This moment belongs to all of us': university honoured with keys to the city
IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter.
Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark.
City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle.
"The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said.
"Their influence is woven through our city and communities.
"Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city."
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city.
"It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said.
"The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story.
"This moment belongs to our entire university community."
From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally.
More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia.
The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe.
Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days.
Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all.
A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May.
It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation.
Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education.
"Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said.
"The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today."
Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community.
"This is a proud moment for our institution," he said.
"For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world.
"We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share."
The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle.
The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city.
IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter.
Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark.
City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle.
"The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said.
"Their influence is woven through our city and communities.
"Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city."
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city.
"It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said.
"The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story.
"This moment belongs to our entire university community."
From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally.
More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia.
The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe.
Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days.
Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all.
A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May.
It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation.
Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education.
"Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said.
"The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today."
Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community.
"This is a proud moment for our institution," he said.
"For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world.
"We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share."
The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle.
The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city.
IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter.
Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark.
City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle.
"The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said.
"Their influence is woven through our city and communities.
"Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city."
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city.
"It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said.
"The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story.
"This moment belongs to our entire university community."
From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally.
More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia.
The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe.
Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days.
Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all.
A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May.
It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation.
Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education.
"Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said.
"The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today."
Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community.
"This is a proud moment for our institution," he said.
"For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world.
"We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share."
The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle.
The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city.
IT has spent six decades shaping minds, driving innovation and supporting growth across the Hunter.
Now, the University of Newcastle is being handed the keys to the city, a rare civic honour reserved for those who have made an undeniable mark.
City of Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge will present the keys at a graduation ceremony at City Hall on Friday, acknowledging the university's deep and enduring impact on Newcastle.
"The university and its students have played a pivotal role in transforming Newcastle into a city of learning, aspiration and progress," he said.
"Their influence is woven through our city and communities.
"Over the past 60 years, the university has transformed lives and opened doors for tens of thousands of people in our city."
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor professor Alex Zelinsky said the honour was a powerful symbol of the shared journey of progress between the institution and the city.
"It's a symbol of our strong and enduring partnership with Newcastle, a city that has grown and evolved alongside its university for 60 years," he said.
"The keys aren't just for the university, they're for all of us. Every student, every staff member, every teacher and graduate who has walked through our doors has played a part in shaping our story.
"This moment belongs to our entire university community."
From its humble beginnings teaching 1700 students in the mid-'60s, today the University of Newcastle educates more than 37,000 students each year and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally.
More than one in 20 students at the university identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the highest number of any university in Australia.
The keys will be accepted on behalf of the University of Newcastle's chancellor, Patricia Forsythe.
Aunty Cheryl Newton and Aunty Amanda Kelly, elders in residence at the university's Wollatuka Institute, will be at the ceremony alongside students and special guests from the university's 60-year history, including some who have been part of the community since its earliest days.
Cr Kerridge said the honour particularly recognised the university's role in enabling many 'first in family' students to go to university, and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for all.
A motion to bestow the keys to the city was put forward by Labor councillor Declan Clausen and supported by the elected council in May.
It acknowledges the transformational power of education and the university's leadership in fostering access and equity through programs like Yapug and Open Foundation.
Cr Clausen said the university had long been a leader in inclusive education.
"Our ongoing collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Newcastle's progress, from community health and sustainability to First Nations engagement and urban innovation," he said.
"The university's central role in Newcastle's urban renewal, through developments like NUspace and the City Campus, has helped shape the vibrant city we are today."
Professor Zelinsky said the honour reflected the collective efforts of the entire university community.
"This is a proud moment for our institution," he said.
"For 60 years, our staff, students and alumni have worked to deliver meaningful change, for Newcastle and across the world.
"We're honoured to accept the keys to the city and will continue to be ambassadors for Newcastle and the values we share."
The City of Newcastle ambassador program was established in 2017 to highlight individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to Newcastle.
The university joins 13 other recipients who have been honoured with keys to the city.
