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5 cool things you didn’t know about ANU
Think you know The Australian National University (ANU)? Our campus is full of stories that slip under the radar. Some are tied to our buildings, some sit deep in our history and some are just fun to know. These are the cool facts students tend to share with their friends when they want to show what makes ANU a little iconic.
1. There are hidden spy tunnels under University House
Okay, that’s not the whole truth. The rumour has been doing the rounds for decades, complete with whispers about secret spy bases and private clubs that feel straight out of a 1920s mystery novel. The real story is still pretty cool. Under University House, you won’t find a maze of hidden tunnels, but you will find a massive repository space that stores the ANU Archives – more than 20km of it.
Down there are 23,000 shelves stacked with ANU history. Everything is perfectly climate-controlled and cared for by a team of dedicated archivists. And while students are busy shaping the next generation of change, the legacy of those who came before is sitting just beneath their feet.
These shelves hold the records to some of the most important moments of Australia’s history. Image credit: ANU Archives
2. Drill Hall Gallery used to train soldiers in WWII
While the Drill Hall Gallery is now known for hosting beautiful exhibitions and showcasing work by renowned Australian and international artists, it once had a very different job. The building was originally constructed in 1940 as a World War II training centre. It was home to the 3rd Battalion, Werriwa Regiment, who trained there from 1941 to 1942.
Decades later, the space was transformed. The interior was remodelled in 1984 to create the art gallery we know and love today and the building was officially heritage-listed in 2004.
The ANU Drill Hall Gallery is the coolest place to see art and has a pretty amazing history! Image credit: ANU Archives
3. ANU is the only uni to be founded by Parliament
While we are surrounded by wonderful friends across Australia’s universities, ANU sits in a pretty exclusive club. We are the only university established by an Act of the Federal Parliament, passed in 1946.
That origin story set the University on a clear path. Created as a research institution with a national purpose and guided by principles of unity, integrity and innovation, ANU continues to carry that mission into the present.
ANU is a national learning institution with a unifying mission to be leaders in research and innovation.
4. University Ave was paved for Queen Elizabeth II
ANU is no stranger to a royal visit, with members of royal families from around the world stopping by over the decades. One of the most memorable moments came in 1963, when Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the R. G. Menzies Building. It marked the first time a reigning monarch had ever opened an Australian library and she was joined by then Prime Minister Robert Menzies.
Royal visits come with their own set of protocols. One of them, it seems, was that Her Majesty was not to walk on the grassy edges that once lined University Avenue. Paved footpaths were created especially for the occasion, giving the Queen a smooth arrival for a historic day.
The opening of the R.G Menzies Building was a historical moment. Image credit: ANU Archives
5. The Hanna Neumann Building is one big piece of code
Consider yourself a fan of code? You are in luck. If you look closely around the Hanna Neumann Building, home to the ANU Mathematical Sciences Institute and the School of Computing, you will spot patterns that are more than decoration.
Black circles on the Co Lab doors, scattered letters on meeting room glass and markings hidden across every level all link together to form a larger coded message. According to the designer, no one has cracked it yet which makes the building one of the most intriguing puzzles on campus.
There is so much to unpack and explore when you walk around the ANU campus.
There’s always something to discover at ANU
Every day at ANU brings something new. Take a walk around our campus and you will always stumble on something you didn’t know before, from a hidden story to a fun detail woven into a building.
Want to find out more about ANU? Book a campus tour or download one of our student guides.
