DESERTED by students and unable to function properly, the University of Newcastle Union (UNU) has been formally wound up in the equities division of the NSW Supreme Court.
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The organisation had been devastated by voluntary student unionism, introduced by the Howard government in 2006.
A report from the NSW Auditor General in May this year found its revenue had plunged.
In 2006, the union received $1.5 million in membership fees. In 2007 that figure dropped to just $59,000.
A written judgement handed down by the Supreme Court on Wednesday said the situation had dwindled even further.
"The position today is that it [the union] has 804 life members but no other members," Justice Reginald Barrett said.
"In particular, there are now no ordinary members and no associate members.
"UNU no longer conducts operations."
The union's assets have been transferred to UON Services Ltd, which also assumed all liabilities. The UON was established and funded by the University of Newcastle, with the support of the union's board, to provide similar services provided by the union.
Former UNU president and honorary life member Chris Tola said he had fond memories of his days in the union.
"The 1970s and 80s were the salad days of the union. There was a real social context. People used to go to university at 9am and leave at 10pm because there was always something going on," he said.
Although yesterday marked the end of an era, Mr Tola said it would not make a big difference for students.
"It's been an incremental change, though a dramatic change over the years. I don't think it will make a big change to the present running of the organisation."
