Series 784 - Bruce Hall Historical Collection

The original Bruce Hall was the first residential college built on the Acton Campus, opening in 1961. The building was designed by Walter Bunning of Bunning & Madden. After much debate, it was decided to locate the building at the western end of University Avenue.
The name Bruce Hall was chosen to honour retiring ANU Chancellor Lord Stanley Bruce.
The original Bruce Hall consisted of five wings and was the first undergraduate student residence in Australia to cater for both genders. Extensions were completed in 1971 and 2004 to increase capacity.
The buildings were complimented by stunning artworks, including Leonard French’s ‘Seven Days of Creation’ series and Herbert Flugelman’s untitled copper and ceramic mosaic fountain. Furniture for Bruce Hall was designed by renowned Australian designers Fred Ward and Derek Wrigley, who both served as Head of the ANU Design Unit.
In 2016 the University announced plans to demolish Bruce Hall in order to construct two new higher-density student halls of residence, the new Bruce Hall and Wright Hall. Funding came from a generous bequest by philanthropists and former ANU students, Graeme and Louise Tuckwell. Income generated from rent would be channeled into the university’s Tuckwell Scholarship Program. The new state-of-the-art residences opened in 2019.
Bruce Hall has its own charter, coat of arms and motto, which translates to 'Happy is the person able to discover the reason for things.' An important emblem for the Hall is Uroboros; the image of a dragon devouring its own tail representing a being containing all life and knowledge.