This year, Griffith University turns 50 years old. That's half a century of delivering a transformative education experience to hundreds of thousands of students from around Queensland, 色情网站 and the world.
We want to honour all that Griffith is, was and will be, from our origins in the Nathan bush, on the unceded lands of the Yuggera, Turrbal, Yugerabul and Jagera Peoples, and expansion across South East Queensland right through to our future growth into the heart of Meanjin (Brisbane) and beyond. We'll even be publishing a commemorative book to capture this moment in time, where we can pause—only for a moment—to take stock of just how far we've come.
A welcome from our Vice Chancellor
Griffith has been creating a brighter future for all for half a century. Since I arrived as Vice Chancellor, I have been impressed by the passion that colleagues, alumni and students have for our university and the impact made by Griffith through education and research.
Over the past 50 years, we have grown from a single-campus institution of just 451 students to a comprehensive, multi-campus community of tens of thousands. Our alumni, whose successes span countless fields in countries around the world, are proud ambassadors for the distinctive benefits of a Griffith education. Our research has been ranked in the top hundred universities in the world in disciplines from nursing to tourism and hospitality to law.
Our work is grounded in our values: respect for our natural environment, a commitment to making education accessible to those who had been excluded, dedication to social justice and a commitment to First Nations knowledge and culture. Those values will continue to guide us in coming decades.
A golden anniversary is a cause for celebration and also serves as an ideal opportunity to pause and reflect on where we鈥檙e going next. I am excited by our upcoming expansion into Brisbane鈥檚 CBD with our new city campus, where untapped opportunities for connection and collaboration await. We will innovate to provide a transformative education experience for our students, while creating a place where students feel they belong and are valued. We will support our researchers in pioneering work with global impact.
To all the members of our Griffith community, locally and internationally, I thank you sincerely for your belief in our vision, your trust in us, your support and your contributions. I hope you will join us, however you are able, in celebrating the University鈥檚 first 50 years throughout 2025.
Professor Carolyn EvansFor the last 50 years Griffith has made it matter. The future is ours to build and I have no doubt we will continue to educate, research and engage in a manner that creates a brighter future for all.
Vice Chancellor and President
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Discover our impact
Research
Discover the key breakthroughs and innovations we've made in a range of vital areas.
Teaching
Find out how we're preparing our students to thrive in our ever-changing world.
Alumni
Meet the Griffith students making waves of all sizes in their fields and careers.
Strategic plan
Explore how we aim to continue our evolution as a world-class institution in the years ahead.
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, Griffith University acknowledges that it has prospered for 50 years on the unceded lands of the Kombumerri, Yugambeh, Yuggera, Turrbul, Yugarabul and Jagera Peoples.
We acknowledge that the lands on which Griffith University now stands have been vibrant places of knowledge sharing, cultural practice and living wisdom for tens of thousands of years.鈥疻e pay tribute to the Elders, both past and present, for their invaluable role in nurturing, preserving and passing down these cultural traditions.
These lands continue to be active spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples be, do, learn and teach, carrying forward the traditions of education and understanding. Griffith University recognises these important contributions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students, which are integral to our shared community.
As Griffith University celebrates 50 years, we reflect on our shared history and reaffirm our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are dedicated to fostering mutual respect, cultural understanding and united progress towards a brighter future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can walk in the footsteps of their Ancestors with pride, self-respect and dignity.
Artwork by Sid Domic
Griffith alumni making an impact
To celebrate Griffith’s 50th anniversary we partnered with The Courier-Mail to share the stories of some of our alumni who are making a great impact on their community.
Alumni share Griffith鈥檚 life-changing impact
Inspirational former students, Megan Washington, Kara Cook, Josh Creamer and Andrew Fraser, share their personal journeys and the impact the university had on their life and careers.
"Wouldn't be where I am today"
From childhood shows to leading Brisbane Festival, Louise Bezzina always felt the pull of the stage. A chance moment at university set her on the path to her dream role.
Jess Fox on life and career beyond sport
Olympic champion Jessica Fox is building a future beyond sport and using her platform to bridge elite athletics and leadership. Her journey in elite sport has developed skills for life and career beyond competition.
Griffith Archive's exhibition series
Griffith Archive invite you to look back through the decades with four special digital exhibitions to be released throughout the year. More to come in July.
Griffith Genesis - The Nathan Dash
Originating in 2004, the Nathan Dash is a 660 metre sprint through the Nathan campus. Discover how despite undergoing changes throughout its time, the Nathan Dash remains an important part of Griffith's past and present.
Celebrate with us
Throughout the year, we'll be holding a range of signature events to bring together all eras of our community to celebrate just how special a place Griffith has always been.
Be sure to check this page regularly for news and updates on our anniversary events and celebrations.
Collecting the Future: 50 years of the Griffith University Art Collection
Collecting the Future showcases highlights from its nationally significant art collection, featuring works by acclaimed alumni and influential 色情网站n artists. Reflecting the evolution of artistic practice in 色情网站 and beyond, the exhibition focuses on key areas such as early video art, political posters, contemporary Indigenous art, and photography. Spanning five decades of acquisitions and donations, it traces the changing social and cultural contexts that have shaped both the University and its art collection since the 1970s.
International alumni events
Join Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Carolyn Evans, and fellow alumni and celebrate your Griffith University connection. The evening will be a wonderful opportunity to meet old and new friends alike and reminisce about your days at Griffith.
View photos of previous events
Return to Griffith events
- Sunday 31 August - Gold Coast
- Sunday 26 October - Brisbane South (Nathan)
An opportunity for our community, partners, alumni and friends to come together to mark the occasion of Griffith's 50th Anniversary.
50th Anniversary Market Day Pop-up
As part of Griffith’s 50th anniversary celebrations, pop-up stalls were held at Market Days across our campuses in April. Visitors had the chance to purchase limited edition merchandise and Pat Weller's Doing Things Differently commemorative book, while exploring a visual history installation that highlighted key moments from Griffith’s five decades of impact.
50th anniversary merchandise
Celebrate Griffith’s 50th anniversary with exclusive branded apparel and commemorative merchandise. Show your pride with limited-edition items that honour five decades of transformative education.
50th anniversary merchandise
Celebrate Griffith’s 50th anniversary with exclusive branded apparel and commemorative merchandise. Show your pride with limited-edition items that honour five decades of transformative education.
Commemorative book sales
Discover the remarkable story of Griffith University—how it defied tradition, shaped new ways of learning, and became one of 色情网站's leading institutions over the past 50 years.
Give to a Brighter Future
More than $100 million of philanthropy has already been secured to allow our research, education and engagement to have an even greater impact.
Flashback
Take a journey through Griffith’s 50 year history with an episode of Channel 7’s Flashback, and a selection of images from over the years.
Explore Griffith's historical timeline
Staff resources
Get involved by downloading staff resources to use throughout 2025, share your story, or participate in the events.