Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor officially opened the Wayne Goss Centre in memory of the former Queensland premier at Logan campus this week.

Mr Goss, Queensland Premier from 1989-1996, was instrumental in the development of the Logan campus which opened in 1998.

“Wayne personally led the charge to have the Logan campus built when the whole higher education sector in Australia was going through a period of tumultuous change, and he convinced the Commonwealth Government to join with the State in funding it,’’ Professor O’Connor said.

“At the time, there was a high level of unmet demand for university places in the Logan and Gold Coast regions, and he was a champion for opening up educational opportunities and increasing University attainment rates for Logan residents and surrounding districts in the fast growing Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor.”

Wayne’s wife Roisin was in attendance and thanked the University of behalf of the Goss family for ‘this tremendous honour’.

“Wayne considered this campus to be of great importance to the university.”

The Goss government purchased the 56ha Meadowbrook site for Griffith University and provided significant funds towards establishing the Logan campus.

In 2003, Mr Goss was conferred Griffith’s honorary degree of Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community.

“Under his leadership as Premier, Wayne’s Government did many things to advance education as well as the development of the Logan campus,’’ Professor O’Connor said.

“These included new schools, the investigation of a modern and broader curriculum, moving nursing education into universities and expanding the teaching of languages other than English.”

As Queensland Premier, Wayne also oversaw extensive economic and institutional change including the passage of the new Public Service Act which transformed the Queensland public service. He instituted the reforms recommended by the Fitzgerald Inquiry, decriminalised homosexuality and introduced electoral reform. He also introduced initiatives in areas such as health and the environment.

Pro Vice Chancellor Logan campus, Professor Lesley Chenoweth AO, said the Logan campus enjoyed a deep engagement with its community — schools, community agencies, business and government.

“It is through these relationships that Logan campus can further its mission to build aspiration, and widen participation in education for members of the community.

“To be a community campus you have to open the doors and welcome everyone to the university. Logan campus and indeed this Wayne Goss Centre hosts many university and community events and conferences.

“And you have to agree it is a beautiful campus of which I am sure Wayne would be proud.”

Chancellor Henry Smerdon AM DUniv and Ms Goss unveiled a commemorative plaque to formally recognise the renaming of the building.