Changing the world
for 50 years

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Celebrate with us

29 November 2024 Waurn Ponds
Bring your family and friends along to our community festival (including fireworks!) and help us launch Deakin's anniversary year where the University first began.
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Whether you’re a member of staff, student, alumni, researcher or partner, we want to hear how your past or present connection with Deakin has made a difference!
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Deakin was born on 10 December 1974 in a Geelong paddock to serve a regional community. Now, we're celebrating five decades of making a difference locally and globally.

Our anniversary stories

A series to mark Deakin's 50th birthday, where our education and research started, the communities that made us and how we'll shape the future.

50 has never looked so good

WATCH VIDEO
At 50 years young, we’re home to progressive students, world-leading researchers and inspiring alumni, on a mission to drive lasting change.
Bob Gartland talking to his wife Phillipa

A Geelong icon who helped build Deakin

WATCH VIDEO
When Bob Gartland laid the slab for Deakin's first library in 1974, he became a key figure in both the University and Geelong community.

The seaweed that bonded Kaylah and her supervisor

Read Story
Conserving the Great Southern Reef is a passion that inspires and unites Dr Prue Francis and PhD candidate Kaylah Gawne.  
A sepia-toned image of a large industrial building labeled Dennys Lascelles Limited. Cars are parked along the street and in a nearby lot. The scene appears to capture an urban setting with older architecture and vehicles.

How our campuses have transformed

Read Story
From a Geelong paddock to our first international campus, Deakin has grown a lot in 50 years. Explore how our campuses have changed.
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin in interview

Deakin's journey to turning 50

WATCH VIDEO
Our past and present Vice-Chancellors and Chancellors. reflect on the challenges, achievements, and the future of the university.
A man with short hair and a light beard wearing a denim jacket stands behind a metal structure indoors, smiling at the camera. The background shows industrial equipment and a gray wall.

Uni connection runs deep

Read Story
For one of Deakin’s newest PhD graduates, our University isn’t just a place he studied, it’s a huge part of his family’s history.
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Explore our stories

CELEBRATE WITH US

29 Nov

Geelong Community Festival

Come and celebrate Deakin turning 50 at this free community festival to bring staff, students, alumni and community together.

Join us as we launch our anniversary year with a celebration where the University first began. We welcome our alumni, students, staff and the wider Deakin community to attend.

Come and experience:

  • Live children’s entertainment
  • DJ
  • Food trucks and bar
  • Free kid’s activities and face painting
  • Market stalls
  • Spectacular fireworks display

This is a free, family-friendly community event.

Bring along your picnic rug to enjoy the outdoor festival.

Book tickets

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