Week 9: The Kingswood site

Monday, 12 May 2014

The Kingswood site of the Penrith Campus started out as the Nepean College of Advanced Education (NCAE).

Even though the NCAE was established in 1973, it wasn't until early 1977 that construction works were completed on the main building (now Building K) and staff were able to move onto the Kingswood Campus (from 1995 the Kingswood site was known as Penrith Campus along with the Werrington sites).

Nepean CAE became the University of Western Sydney Nepean from 1989. The full history of Nepean CAE can be read in the book "The History of Nepean College, 1974-1989" by Dr Ellice Swinbourne (NCAE Principal 1980-85).

Prior to European arrival the land around Kingswood was occupied by the Darug people.

From the archives

Image gallery

From the Archives this week, we have:

• In the above gallery, an artist's impression of the Kingswood campus, 1990 (Ref: MP-1477).
• An image of a student production of Godspell in 1977 (Ref: Al-37051) and a Theatre Nepean student performance in 1990 (Ref: P2278).
• An image of an Indigenous performer at a Reconciliation Festival in 1997 (Ref: P3452) - a year before the first 'Sorry Day' was held on 20 May 1998.
• Nuns on skates - an image from the making of a Red Rooster Commercial at the Kingswood campus in 1994 (Ref: P3094).
• An image of the construction of the student accommodation in 1992 (Ref: P2557).
• An newscutting - Opening of Kingswood campus of Nepean College of Advanced Education (PDF, 4177.95 KB) (opens in a new window), 22 June 1977 (Ref: Al-37053).
• Kingswood College of Advanced Education - Preliminary thoughts on aims and purpose (PDF, 2302.44 KB) (opens in a new window), by H Campbell, Principal Westmead Teachers College, 1972 (Ref: Al-31585).
• Occasional address at the last graduation ceremony (PDF, 646.6 KB) (opens in a new window), Nepean College of Advanced Education (NCAE) by Professor John M Ward AO, 2 May 1989 (Ref: AI-45631).

Did you know?

A Red Rooster commercial was filmed at Kingswood in 1994. Check out the photo in the image gallery above. You can also view the full advertisement for Red Rooster's "Devil Wings" on YouTube (opens in a new window).