Introducing the new Deakin Library exhibition series
In late 2024, Deakin University marked its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of innovation, impact and community engagement. To honour this milestone, Deakin Library is launching a new program of exhibitions that reflect Deakin’s journey and achievements in research, distance education and community impact – 1974 to Now: Deakin at 50.
Rotating between the Burwood, Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses throughout 2025, each exhibition features historic materials and unearthed stories from the University Archives and beyond. These materials reflect Deakin’s journey and achievements, exploring themes that have shaped the institution and its communities.
Join us for the launch
All staff are encouraged to attend the joint opening event on Wednesday 19 March at 4pm. Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, will officially open all three new exhibitions to the public in our Waterfront Gallery at the Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library.
Please register to attend.
More about the exhibitions
Bridging the Distance: Deakin’s Leadership in Distance Education
Deakin has established itself as a pioneer in distance education from its foundation in 1974. Embedded in the Deakin University Act 1974, off-campus study was integral to the University’s mission of broadening access to education. Inspired by models like Britain’s Open University, Deakin’s approach made higher education accessible to students in regional, remote and non-traditional settings.
This exhibition also highlights efforts to support First Nations students, address the challenges of isolation and promote social equity. Visitors will encounter examples of key milestones and personal stories, reflecting the evolution of distance learning over five decades.
Waterfront: 20 March–11 May
Waurn Ponds: 26 May–13 July
Burwood: 18 August–28 September
Shaping the Future: Deakin’s Legacy of Research
Experience Deakin’s evolution from an education-first University to a leader in research with real-world impact. While education remains central to its mission, Deakin has developed a research culture focused on practical applications that benefit communities. The exhibition traces this journey, from early academic efforts to world-leading innovations across diverse fields like health, technology and social sciences.
Featured stories will highlight key research achievements, including breakthroughs in carbon fibre technology, mental health initiatives and energy innovation hubs. Deakin’s strengths in sports science, engineering and nutrition also showcase its role in addressing global challenges. Through these examples, the exhibition demonstrates the University’s commitment to creating knowledge that shapes the future.
Burwood: 20 March–25 May
Waterfront: 10 June–20 July
Waurn Ponds: 28 July–7 September
Beyond Our Walls: Deakin’s Community Impact
Deakin has fostered the development and wellbeing of communities locally, nationally and globally. In Geelong, Melbourne and Western Victoria, Deakin has contributed to regional growth through partnerships with organisations such as Ford, government bodies and rural health schemes. Internationally, the University’s 30-year relationship with India culminated in 2024 with the world’s first international teaching campus in India, underscoring Deakin’s global leadership.
In addition to highlighting this history, the exhibition also celebrates alumni achievements and Deakin’s National Indigenous Knowledge Education Research and Innovation Institute (NIKERI), which promotes culturally responsive education and engagement. Through these stories, visitors will see how Deakin’s work has enriched both regional communities and global networks over the past 50 years. The result is a University that not only shapes lives within its walls but also enriches the communities it touches.
Waurn Ponds: 20 March–11 May
Burwood: 16 June–27 July
Waterfront: 25 August–5 October