History

A Brief History Of St John's College

St John's College was established in 1911 at Kangaroo Point. Over 100 years later, John's is a thriving community with a very proud and strong history.

2020s

2022

St John’s College unveils its first contemporary Aboriginal artwork, St John’s College Beside Maiwar, in the Goodbury Reception area.

2019

Rose Alwyn is appointed as the 14th Warden. She is the first female and first lay Warden.

2013

John Morgan retires after 31 years as Warden

2011

College celebrates its Centenary.

2005

Edale block is destroyed by fire on Good Friday. The block was rebuilt, opening the following year.

1995

Sasaka Bandaranayake becomes the first female president of the St John’s College Student Club.

1990

The first 44 female residents are admitted.

1987

The first Honorary Fellows are installed at the 75th anniversary celebration of the College.

1983

First scholarship is granted in honour of Sir Charles Spry.

1982

John Morgan becomes Warden, the start of a 31-year tenure.

1981

College Chapel of St John the Evangelist is built.

1974

The Brisbane River floods but St John’s College is relatively unscathed

1974

Australian Government overhauls the tertiary education sector with the abolition of fees and the introduction of semesters. This opens up universities to more students.

1971

Queensland Government declaration of emergency powers. At Johns student club passed motion to support a strike along with students at the University.

1970s Alumni

Professor Jeff Dunn, AO, David Muir, AM, Hon George Brandis, Hon Peter Beattie

1976

Buttery Bar applies for a licence. Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen opposes the bid but it is granted in 1977

1960

Construction of the Halse Wing starts. This includes the Tooth library, common room, tutorial room, suite for tutors and 20 rooms for students.

1956

Official opening of the new buildings by QLD governor Sir John Lavarack

1954

Construction begins on Edale and Patmos (student residential blocks), a dining hall and kitchen, and the Warden’s lodge

1949

Students protest at compulsory formal gowns

1946

Goodbury is acquired by the college at Kangaroo Point

1946

Joe Croft becomes the first Indigenous student to attend an Australian university. He studied Engineering at The University of Queensland, simultaneously residing at St John’s College.

1939-1945

World War II

1939

St Johns College selects a site of more than six acres on the river, but it would be another 16 years before the college moves.

1937

The foundation stone laid on March 6, 1937, for the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland

1930

The University of Queensland formally receives land at St Lucia

1920

Annexe is added to the College at Kangaroo Point

1910 Alumni

John Denis Fryer, Judge Edwin. D. Stanley, Frederick Woolnough Paterson

1919/1920

Argo, the College yearbook, is launched.

1914-1918

World War I/ The Great War. Thirty-four students and staff of St John’s College volunteer and serve overseas with the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Eight Johnians were killed in action.

1913

Installation of a coin-operated telephone

1912

Three Queenslanders at Kangaroo Point become the original site of St John’s College. The College opens with four residents: three Bachelor of Arts students and one engineering student.

1911

St John’s College is founded by Archbishop St Clair Donaldson.