Conferences and Events
Right in the heart of Melbourne
University College (UC) is located on College Crescent, across the road from the University of Melbourne’s main campus in Parkville.
We are just a short 10 minute tram ride (or 20 minute walk) away from all the attractions of Melbourne’s CBD. Alongside the College you will find Princes Park and Royal Park, offering acres of outdoor space for a stroll or run in nature.
The cosmopolitan cafes and eateries of Lygon Street and the restaurants and bars of bohemian Brunswick Street are also within a 15 minute walk.
unicol.unimelb.edu.au
03 9347 3533
conferences@unicol.unimelb.edu.au
University College 40 College Crescent Parkville VIC 3052 Australia
The University of Melbourne
MCG
ACU Lygon Street
Melbourne CBD
RMIT city campus University College
College Crescent
Tram route 19, stop 13
Queen Victoria Market
The College
For most of the year, University College acts as a student residential college. However we also provide a complete, in-house conference and events service.
Day conferences
Whether you’re planning a conference, workshop, team-building day, seminar, presentation, meeting or other event, our versatile spaces are designed to meet your every need. Our onsite kitchen ensures we can easily manage all of your catering requirements and limited onsite parking is also available on request.
Accommodated conferences
We also offer group accommodation during semester breaks (June – July and Dec – Feb), with 230 ensuite rooms available and 117 rooms with shared bathrooms. All rooms are fully furnished, airy and spacious, with great natural light. Wi-fi and breakfast is included in all accommodation rates; lunch and dinner can be added.
Venues
Seminar Centre
Opened in 2019, the Seminar Centre was purpose-built for functions and events.
This multi-functional meeting space can be easily modified to suit your needs. An extremely popular and versatile space, this area is often used for conferences and workshops, formal dinners and receptions, lectures and meetings for up to 150 people.
Located at the front of the College, this space also has a separate entrance, foyer and lounge area, and designated bathrooms.
Clusters/ Dining: 80
Classroom: 40
Boardroom: 30 Standing/ Cocktail: 150
Theatre: 120 U-shaped: 24
Heritage Room
Originally used as the first dining hall for the College, the Heritage Room is now available for your next event.
This light and airy room has been returned to its original 1930s style.
It is a beautiful space, ideal for boardroom meetings or smaller, more intimate work or social gatherings.
Clusters/ Dining: 24
Classroom: 25
Boardroom: 20 Standing/ Cocktail: 60
Theatre: 40 U-shaped: 20
Venues
Leggatt Hall
Leggatt Hall is a multi-functional meeting space which can be easily converted to suit your needs.
This area is often used for events such as receptions, exhibitions, large-scale formal dinners, lectures or meetings and can accommodate up to 250 people.
Clusters/ Dining: 120
Classroom: 70
Boardroom: 50 Standing/ Cocktail: 250
Theatre: 200 U-shaped: 50
Leitch Academic Centre
Overlooking our manicured gardens and Giblin Courtyard, this purpose-built area is flexible and spacious.
The entire centre can be utilised for a large event or split into smaller break out rooms if required.
The Leitch Academic Centre also comes with a self-contained kitchen and a separate lounge area, which is ideal for holding a private lunch or morning or afternoon tea breaks.
Clusters/ Dining: 80
Classroom: 40
Venues
Mural Room
The Mural Room is ideal for small group gatherings, it also opens out onto a sun-drenched, north-facing courtyard.
This area is adjacent to the Syme Dining Hall and is available for private hire during the mid-year and end of year university breaks.
Clusters/ Dining: 40
Classroom: N/A
Boardroom: 25 Standing/ Cocktail: 100
Theatre: 70 U-shaped: 30
Courtyards
University College has two courtyard areas which are available during mid-year and end of semester university breaks. The Giblin Courtyard and McEwan Courtyard are tranquil areas within the College, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, an outdoor cocktail reception, or an Aussie-style BBQ.
Giblin Courtyard – Standing: 200 McEwan Courtyard – Standing: 100
Equipment hire
All venue space hire includes fundamentals like room setup, chairs, trestle tables, a whiteboard, flip chart, data projector and screen, lectern and wi-fi access. Additional audio-visual equipment can be hired, including the Meeting OWL Pro (portable hybrid meeting camera). We can also offer onsite AV support at additional cost.
Floral arrangements
We have carefully selected florists who can provide a quote for quality flower arrangements on request.
Catering packages
Conference packages
We offer a variety of conference packages starting from $54pp. These include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, as well as an assortment of herbal teas and Nespresso coffee, iced water and mints, and a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit.
Our Delegate Packages offer an assortment of sandwiches, rolls or panini bread plus one or two accompanying item/s for lunch, with the option to include one or two items for morning and afternoon tea.
Our Executive Packages offer a hot meal for lunch with chef’s choice of protein, vegetarian option and one or two accompanying lunch item/s, plus your selection of one or two morning and afternoon tea items.
The Superfood Wellbeing Package is also available, which includes the chef’s selection of items like acai, green smoothies, poke bowls, super green salads and more.
Canape packages
Our Canape Packages start from $39pp (including service staff) and require a minimum of ten people. Choose from a selection of hot, cold and dessert canapes like Flinders Island beef arancini, salmon mini blinis, mini lemon meringue tarts with native lime and more.
For something a little more filling, select the Substantial Canapes Package for bites like butter chicken and saffron rice with pappadums, and vermicelli noodle salad cups, or choose the Finger Food Package for items like assorted California rolls, and spinach and feta pastizzi.
Buffets
Buffets are a very popular option with conference groups.
Starting from $59pp our buffet packages include fresh bread rolls, water, tea/ coffee, table linen and one service staff member for three hours as standard (minimum 20 people). Select two mains, two sides and two salad dishes from our extensive menu or keep things simple by opting for the chef’s choice.
Formal lunch/ dinner
For something more formal, our plated dinners are sure to impress.
Starting from $65pp for a two-course plated option, you can also opt for three courses, or an alternating menu. Cost includes fresh bread rolls, iced water, tea and coffee, table linen and service staff (for three hours). A minimum of ten guests is required. You can choose from our extensive menu options, or let us know if you wish to tailor your own event menu.
Other catering options
Breakfast
Start your morning on the right note with a selection of breakfast items including pancakes, croissants, cereals and muesli, hot breakfast options and fresh fruit.
Morning/afternoon tea
Everything is on offer; from scones, cakes and brownies, to croissants, quiches and fruit.
Grazing platters
Choose from cold options (such as cheese and antipasto platters) or hot options (such as yum cha or ocean platters) –or a selection of both.
BBQs & special events
For those warmer months, stage an outdoor BBQ or special event, such as a movie night or hawker stall. Different BBQ packages are available, all served with fresh bread, condiments and salads (minimum numbers apply).
Drinks service
Hot and cold drinks
If not already included in your package, you can add freshly-brewed or Nespresso coffee and/or a Twinings tea selection to your catering.
Fresh juices, soft drinks, fruit punch and sparkling water are also available.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages are sold on consumption per bottle, with white, red, sparkling and champagne available.
Particular wines can be requested and purchased (by the case) subject to supplier availability. Wine packages start from $29.50 per bottle.
A variety of beers and ciders are also available for purchase on request (by the case).
The fine print
Prices listed are per person (unless otherwise indicated) and are inclusive of GST.
Minimum numbers
All catering requires a minimum of ten guests unless otherwise noted. Catering for meetings smaller than this may be possible on request but will incur an additional surcharge.
Dietary requirements
We provide menu choices that are vegetarian and halal, free of charge, on request. Other dietary requirements (such as gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, kosher, FODMAP etc) may incur additional charges due to the extra work required in preparing specific separate meal options. If you have any questions or specific requests you would like to discuss in detail, please contact our conference team.
Service charge
Saturday events are subject to an additional 10% service charge, Sunday events are subject to an additional 15% service charge.
Labour
Events that are large, VIP or take place out of standard hours may require additional food and beverage waitstaff – we will quote in advance for these occasions.
Ordering times
We require final numbers and dietary requirements three working days prior to the event. Small increases may be accepted depending on menu, but some substitutions may be necessary if numbers increase within this timeframe.
Cancellation policy
The deposit is refundable if your booking is cancelled more than 30 days prior to your arrival date, less an administration charge. If the booking is cancelled less than 30 days prior to the arrival date the initial deposit will be forfeited as liquidated damages. It is non-transferrable.
Hireage
Quotes can be provided on request for additional requirements that aren’t listed (such as table linen, flowers etc).
Next steps
If you would like to discuss the specific requirements of your event, we encourage you to contact our conference and events team at conferences@unicol.unimelb.edu.au or +61 3 9347 3533.
If you live locally, you are also welcome to book a tour of the College spaces.
1) If you would like to go ahead with a booking, we will first check availability for your preferred event date and make a tentative booking.
2) A 20% deposit will then be required to confirm the booking, and we will also ask you to sign an agreement. The balance invoice is issued just prior to the event taking place.
3) You will then receive our Final Details Form, where you can select catering for your event, confirm room setup specifications, audio-visual requirements and further details.
4) At all stages throughout this process, a member of the conference team will be on hand to work with you to plan and execute a successful event.
