University House 1953

In 1952 The Council of the University of Melbourne permitted the building, sometimes called Grosmont, to be used as a club for University Staff.
In 1953 it was named University House. Previously, three professors had lived here with their families:
1885–1922 Professor Edward Nanson (Mathematics),
1923–1927 Professor David Rivett (Chemistry),
1927–1952 Professor Ernst Hartung (Chemistry)

           
           Edward Nanson                         David Rivett                            Ernst Hartung (L)

The Staff Association successfully negotiated to take possession of Professor Hartung’s house on his retirement and refurbish it as University House for use as a staff club from 1953.
It had been built in 1885 for Professor Nanson and later occupied by A C D (David) Rivett. Since 1955 it has enjoyed the adornment of an arched iron portico saved from Ogg’s Pharmacy in Collins Street
when the City Council banned posted street verandahs. Extensions in 1960, 1965 and 1970 added a Main Dining Room, the Main Lounge and the Upper East Dining Room
and the Lower East Dining Room - renamed the Matthaei Room in 2000 after the Matthaei Collection of Early Glass on permanent exhibition in the room and 1995 the Karaghuesian Room.

Ernst Matthaei Memorial Collection of Early Glass together with selected glass from The Russell and Mab Grimwade Collection
 - forward by Peter M Attiwill

University House extensions, 1956 with Oggs Veranda
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Image Catalogue, UMA-I-1614]




University House soiree with pianist Michael Sullivan;
seated far right is past president and long-term office-bearer Max Marginson,
standing to his immediate right is past president Barry Davidson.
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 16584]

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

University House was opened in 1953 with 270 full and associate members. It was created for the purpose of providing a centre
for the community life of the University staff. Since its inception each year the Club has made a gradual growth
of membership and in 2008 reached a total of 2490 members.
University House has come to fill its essential place in the life of the University.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Presidents (and Honorory Life Members) (chonological)

C. Moorhouse
H. Hunt
W. Dunbar
J. Polglaze
Z. Cowen
V. Trikojus
L.Ray
W.Scott
F.Bedbrook
A.Ferguson
H.Ford
L.Goldberg
H.Downes
F.Willett
T.Perry
M.Marginson
R.Hughes
M.Hargreaves
P.Jones
P.Attiwill
M.Williams
O.Battersby
T.Neals
N. Millis
B.Davidson
P.McTigue
D.Satchell
V.McRae
J.Down
R.Evans
J. Hergt (present)
 

Managers

1952 - 1974      Anton Pavlas
1974 - 1977      Bill Weidner
1977 - 1983      Michael Zimbler
1983 - 1993      Stan Bracchi
1993 - present  Philip Taylor-Bartels

Back to top