Griffith Duncan

Educator, Administrator
Inducted 28 November 2007

Griffith Hammond Duncan was born in Kurri Kurri in 1914 of Welsh and Scottish parentage. His early education was at Kurri Kurri, followed by Maitland Boys’ High School.

Having studied at the University of Sydney, Griffith completed his teacher training at Sydney Teachers’ College and started his teaching career at Newcastle Junior High School.

In 1940, Griffith gained his Master of Arts degree in Mathematics with First Class Honours, and was awarded the University Medal.  In the same year, he began over five years’ service with the RAAF.

After the war, Griffith taught mathematics in a number of locations before going to Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College, serving as Vice-Principal for two years.

In 1949, Griffith, as Founding Principal, opened the new Newcastle Teachers’ College in a building that was later to become part of Newcastle Technical High School.

He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1975, having seen the Teachers’ College evolve into Newcastle College of Advanced Education on a new campus and then the Hunter Institute of Higher Education.

Griffith was awarded an OBE in 1968. The Griffith Duncan Theatre at the University of Newcastle was named in Griffith’s honour in 1975.

Griffith passed away in 1988.

For more information, visit The University of Newcastle website. 

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Plaque location

Garden of Honour, Rotary Park, Lang St, Kurri Kurri