Dr Duncan’s grave: a gift to the broader community

Today, Thursday 24 November, the University of Adelaide is renewing its custodianship of Dr George Duncan’s grave in honour of his memory and so that the community may continue to pay their respects at his last resting place at Centennial Park.

Dr Duncan was a newly appointed lecturer at the University’s law school when, in March 1972, he lost his life in a crime that shocked the nation. He was thrown into the River Torrens and drowned.

“The death of Dr Duncan, fifty years ago, continues to resonate across the nation and especially within our community,” said the University of Adelaide’s Professor John Williams, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.

“The perpetrators of his death were never brought to justice and he left behind no family.

“Half a century on, it is important for the University to preserve Dr Duncan’s grave site for generations to come. It represents a pivotal and historic chapter in human and gay rights, not just in South Australia, but across the nation.

“Equality and diversity are core values of the University of Adelaide and we continue to work to ensure that the community feels safe, valued and heard.”

“Half a century on, it is important for the University to preserve Dr Duncan’s grave site for generations to come. It represents a pivotal and historic chapter in human and gay rights, not just in South Australia, but across the nation."The University of Adelaide’s Professor John Williams, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics.

In 1972 the University paid for Dr Duncan’s burial and leased his grave for 50 years. The lease is being renewed for a further 50 years.

The University of Adelaide hosted a public commemoration to mark the renewal of its custodianship of Dr Duncan’s grave during ‘Pridevember’ and the last week of the Feast Festival 2022, South Australia’s biggest LGBTQI+ festival.

The memorial was attended by Professor Williams and political dignitaries such as Robert Simms Greens MLC.

Public outrage generated by the murder triggered homosexual law reform leading to South Australia becoming the first Australian state to decriminalise homosexuality.

The University of Adelaide was key to spearheading the campaign. No one was convicted of Dr Duncan’s murder.