Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library to be housed at University of Adelaide

Australia’s first female Prime Minister’s legacy will be celebrated in a major new addition to one of Adelaide’s most august institutions.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard’s official library will be established at the University of Adelaide, where the nation’s first female leader began her political career.

A deal to kickstart the Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library at the university’s North Tce campus has been signed, ahead of Tuesday’s annual Julia Gillard Public Lecture.

Ms Gillard studied law and arts at the university from 1979 to 1981, and was introduced to politics as Adelaide University Union president and as a student representative on the university council.

A trove of documents from Ms Gillard’s career will be brought from the National Archives of Australia to the new library, which is expected to open in 2027.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard in 2019 is awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University of Adelaide. Picture: Supplied

Ms Gillard in 2010 became Australia’s 27th Prime Minister and the first woman in the office, which she held until mid-2013.

“I am deeply honoured that plans are underway to establish the Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library on the grounds of the university where my tertiary education journey began,” Ms Gillard said.

“I have many fond memories from my time at the University of Adelaide … I am excited to see the library take shape in the coming years and become a dynamic, living space for students, staff and the general public.”

University of Adelaide vice chancellor and president Peter Hoj said the Library would stand as testament to the university’s history of fostering leaders who reshaped Australia and the world.

“The University of Adelaide’s relationship with Ms Gillard has deepened through events such as the annual lecture series, and we are proud to now be responsible for maintaining and building upon her legacy through the Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library,” he said.

Education Minister Blair Boyer, former prime minister Julia Gillard and Premier Peter Malinauskas in August, 2023, release the final report of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, which Ms Gillard spearheaded. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The Library will be established at the North Tce campus’s Hartley building and will host the annual public lecture, visiting scholars, research, awards and a women in leadership program.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding will result in the project entering a scoping phase, to identify the work required to create the library and establish programs and events.

The University of South Australia, which will merge with the University of Adelaide to create Adelaide University opening in 2026, has the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library.