Peeking between the RMC Gunn building and the Vet Science Conference Centre sits a place of quiet purpose. This is the McMaster Annexe. It’s building B02 on the University of Sydney’s Camperdown/Darlington campus.
McMaster Annexe may not have student access. It still plays a vital role within the university grounds. Its location suggests a supporting function to the neighboring departments.
But who was McMaster? Why does this annexe bear his name? The story stretches back to William McMaster. He was a Canadian entrepreneur and a senator. McMaster even founded the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Upon his death in 1887, McMaster bequeathed approximately $900,000. This substantial sum was for establishing a university. Both William and his wife Susan Moulton valued education. He envisioned a “Christian School of Learning”.
While this annexe is not a school, other buildings bear the McMaster name. There is also the McMaster Building. That building is home to Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services and vet science labs. Student access is restricted in the McMaster Building too. Permission is necessary to enter.
There’s also a McMaster University in Canada. It was a Baptist institution in Toronto before moving to Hamilton, Ontario. It’s named after the same William McMaster.
Think about the legacy of William McMaster. His vision shaped institutions. The McMaster Annexe is a small piece of that story. It connects to a larger narrative of education and philanthropy. Though students cannot enter. The McMaster Annexe stands as a reminder. It shows how one person’s generosity can impact generations of scholars. Next time you pass by appreciate this quiet corner of the campus. The McMaster Annexe plays its part in the University of Sydney.