30th Anniversary of University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)

After more than a decade of community advocacy, construction of the University of the Sunshine Coast commenced in 1995 on a carefully selected 100-acre site of former low-lying sugar cane land bordering the Mooloolah River National Park. The vision transformed the site into an award-winning campus recognised nationally for its sustainability, landscape integration and architectural excellence.

The University officially opened in 1996 with approximately 500 students, 48 staff and Professor Paul Thomas as its inaugural Vice-Chancellor. This year, UniSC celebrates its 30th anniversary as a thriving multi-campus university with more than 21,000 students, including around 11,000 at the Sunshine Coast campus, and a workforce of almost 1,300 staff.

This special Open House Sunshine Coast event includes a guided walking tour of the campus, followed by presentations exploring: the original campus masterplan by renowned architect Romaldo Giurgola, designer of Australia's Parliament House; the architectural vision behind key campus buildings by leading Sunshine Coast architects; the evolution of the campus through the 2023 Master Plan, including future infrastructure and landscape initiatives presented by Aurecon; and the emergence of a distinctive Sunshine Coast architectural style.

Speakers: Lindsay Clare, Claire Design; Dr Noel Robinson OAM, NRA collective; John Mainwaring, Hollindale Mainwaring Architects; Damian Thompson AILA FRLA, Director, LatStudios. Moderator: Nicholas Stevens PhD, Associate Professor & Program Manager, UniSC.