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Thursday, 4 November 2010

The University of Western Australia is extending its student residence Currie Hall, in a four-stage building process that will increase the number of rooms by 100.

The major expansion to the only University-owned hall of residence is part of UWAs plan to increase student accommodation to meet the shortfall of student beds and increasing demand for reasonably priced housing on or adjacent to the Crawley campus.

The University is planning a significant student housing project at the southern end of campus and some of the other independently-owned colleges north of the campus are also planning to expand.

Stage one of the 100-room expansion of Currie Hall by Pallassis Architects will add 24 rooms, many of them ensuite and with a maximum room to bathroom ratio of three to one.Principal of Currie Hall, Mr Chris Massey, said he hoped the rooms - many of which will be ground-floor wheelchair-accessible - would be ready for occupation by second semester next year.

Owned and operated by UWA and housing 250 students, Currie Hall was founded in 1946 as the University Hostel. It was established in buildings that had been used as the bachelor officers' quarters by the American Navy during World War II. The servicemen who lived there operated the Catalina flying boats from the Swan River.

The Hall is named after Sir George Currie, UWA's second Vice-Chancellor and patron of the men's club that administered the Hostel.

"The character of Currie Hall reflects the mature attitudes of the original ex-servicemen and women, who prevented elitism and provided for equality of membership," Mr Massey said.  "The early tradition of individualism of the Hall and student participation in Hall activities and events have been retained today, with an active student-elected Residents' Club Committee and open feedback lines between the Principal and the residents. The Hall's motto, Dum Vivimus Vivamus, translates to the literal meaning Live life to the Full. More than 10,000 students from around Australia and the world have called Currie Hall home."

Media references

Mr Chris Massey (Principal, Currie Hall, UWA) (+61 8) 9273 3333

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563 / (+614) 32 637 716

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Alumni — Media Statements — Teaching and Learning — University News