Save the John Medley Building of the University of Melbourne

Voice your opposition today by signing the petition below

What is the issue?

The University of Melbourne is planning to demolish the John Medley Building - a culturally significant building by the architect of the National Gallery of Victoria, Sir Roy Grounds.

The John Medley Building is a major public commission designed in the late 1960s by Sir Roy Grounds - one of Australia’s leading 20th century architects. It was built during the same period in which Grounds was working on the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre: two of Victoria’s most beloved and iconic cultural institutions. For decades the Medley Building has stood as a welcoming entrance gateway to the University, encapsulating its identity and providing a visual focus for the wider student experience, as is evident from the groups of people who come daily to take photographs in front of it, particularly to mark their graduation.

What is at stake?

The John Medley Building is slated for demolition in 2027 to make way for a new teaching building. The proposal forms part of a 2023 University masterplan that also includes provision for demolishing more than a dozen other buildings. The plan has attracted widespread opposition and is currently the focus of an ongoing staff and NTEU campaign.

• The plan to demolish the John Medley Building constitutes a wanton act of destruction of Victoria’s cultural heritage!
• It is enormously wasteful of University resources during a time of significant financial crisis when the University is running an ongoing operating deficit of $124 million dollars
• It is also totally unsustainable on environmental grounds and runs contrary to current best architectural practice which advocates for the restoration and adaptive reuse of existing buildings wherever possible

What can you do to help?

• Sign the petition today!
• Write an email voicing your opposition to this plan to the University’s interim vice chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis (to be succeeded by Professor Carolyn Evans on 5th October 2026): vc@unimelb.edu.au
• The Building is currently under consideration for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register. Concerned parties can write a submission in support of the nomination to the Victorian Heritage Council online via the HCV Hub Submissions must be received by 15th September.

Brought to you by The Save John Medley Action Group, July 2026