KINGSWOOD COLLEGE

The idea of a University College founded by the Methodist Church was first suggested by Reverend S B Fellows in 1913. It was to be fifty years before, in November 1963, the idea became a reality and the then Prime Minister Mr Robert G Menzies officially performed the opening ceremony.

The opening was a tribute to the Reverend Alf Crookes-Hull who, on being chosen President of the 1957 Methodist Conference, strove tirelessly against great odds and opposition to realise a dream; the building of Kingswood College.

Kingswood derives its name from Kingswood School in Bath, England, established by John Wesley (founder of Methodism) in 1748 as a school for the sons of Methodist preachers. A stone from that school is placed in the south wall of the Junior Common Room.

Many of the wings and special rooms in College are named after significant places in the life of John Wesley or after significant people in the life of our own College. The Epworth Room is named after the town of Wesley's birth, the Wyvern is from the family Crest, Lincoln was his Oxford College, Aldergate Street was where he was converted.

1911		University of WA Act passed
1913		Establishment of University of Western Australia in Irwin Street, Rev S B Fellows, President of Methodist Conference, recommends founding a University College to serve also as a Theological College
1926		University Colleges Act passed
1926		Rev Joseph Green, Principal of Theological Hall
1953		Rev A G Howse, Principal of Barclay Theological Hall
1957		Rec A Crookes-Hull, Pres. of Methodist Conference, initiates moves for Kingswood
1962		Foundation stone laid 10th June
1963		College opens with Rev C O Leigh Cook as Master, Rev Dr Robert Maddox as Vice-Master. Sir Robert Menzies officially opens College on 17 November
1965		Hull Wing opened
1969		Cook Wing opened (as West Wing initially)
1970		Rev William Ellis appointed Vice-Master and Principal of Barclay Theological Hall
1973		Retirement of Rev C O Leigh Cook
1975		Rev William Ellis appointed Master (died 27 April 1977)
1977		Rev Colin Honey appointed Head, 19 May. Methodist Presbyterian and Congregational Churches unite to form Uniting Church in Australia, 22nd June. Kingswood College completed, March
1978		First women students admitted. Guest rooms and flats completed
1980		Kingswood Court sold
1981		Library amalgamated with St Columba college. Conference facilities, chapel and tutorial rooms completed
1983		"Sets" created for Senior Students and continuing education
1984		South Wing sets created, Dining Hall air conditioned
1985		Appeal for $250,000 for maintenance, works, and "people" projects
1986		John Wesley Wing completed incorporating Reading Room, Council Room and Harvard (case-study) room
1987		Outdoor dining area completed, and stage 2 of Wesley Wing. Rev Tony Winter was appointed Deputy Head
1988		Computer room established
1989		Epworth, Wyvern, Lincoln, Ellis, combination and computer rooms added
1990		Kingswood Centre for Applied Ethics was established
1991		Ground floor Cook Wing Senior Student rooms created
1996		Telephones installed in each room. Rev C O Leigh Cook died 2 September
1998		Resignation of Rev C R Honey as Head and the appointment of Rev Dr G V S Hadley as head of College