"The college where students come first"

Austin College is now in its 35th year and has provided accommodation for more than four thousand students at the University of New England. The College was named to honour the service to the University of Dr. R. B. Austin who at the time of its development as a College of the University of Sydney, was the Government Medical Officer in Armidale.

The College, which is the youngest of the seven residential colleges at the University of New England, currently has accommodation for 288 residents and eight Resident Fellows. Until the end of 1977, the College was in the care of its first Master, Dr. Brian Seppelt. He was largely responsible for the friendly, informal ethos of the College and the reputation, which the College established in those years.

From its inception, the College has aimed to be an integrated community, with all its members - students, Resident Fellows, College Fellows and Master, feeling at ease with each other. Soon after it opened, Austin decided to discard the formal Senior/Junior Common Room structure still found in some other colleges at the University. This structure had been inherited from the older Universities of England and many, who were associated with the early days of Austin, believed it would be a hindrance to the development of the College.

"Austin College 2007 Reunion"

Celebrating 35 years

Austin College will be celebrating its 35th year in 2007. To celebrate this milestone, a reunion has been planned to be held on the October long weekend, beginning on Friday the 28 of September and running through until Monday the 1st of October. All past residents are invited to attend this function. If you wish to attend the reunion, could you please fill out the application form for planning and organisational purposes. Apply