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Authority record
Tertiary Institution

Bathurst Teachers' College [BTC]

  • Agency277
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 12 March 1951 - 31 December 1969

The Bathurst Teachers' College was established on the site of the Bathurst Experiment Farm. The first students commenced their training on the 12 March 1951, although the College was not officially opened until 9 November 1951 (1).
The curriculum of the College qualified students for primary school teaching. In addition to further tuition in the primary school syllabus, there was teaching in education and health which were professional rather than pedagogical requirements (2). Initially the course was of two years duration after which the students were awarded a Teachers' Certificate by the Education Department. This was a Certificate of Attainment (3).
In 1968 the course was increased in length to three years (4).
In 1969 the Higher Education Act heralded the beginning of Colleges of Advanced Education (5). The Bathurst Teachers' College was chosen as the site for the Mitchell College of Advanced Education. It was formally closed on 31 December 1969 and became the School of Teacher Education in the Mitchell College of Advanced Education (6).

Footnotes and References:
(1) The Story of Three Colleges: a history of the Bathurst Government Reserve, Racecourse, Experiment Farm School, Teachers' College and Mitchell College of Advanced Education, p.80
(2) Ibid p.91
(3) Ibid p.90-91
(4) Ibid p.91
(5) Ibid p.151
(6) Ibid p.153

Charles Sturt University Institute of Land, Water and Society

  • Agency839
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 2005-2021

A Research Centre of Charles Sturt University, undertaking biophysical, social and economic research. Closed in 2021 and merged with the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre to become the Gulbali Institute.

Riverina College of Advanced Education [RCAE] (1972-1984) // Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education [RMIHE] (1984-1989)

  • Agency294
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1 January 1972 - 18 July 1989

The Higher Education Act, 1969 (Act No 29, 1969) provided for the establishment of the New South Wales Advanced Education Board, New South Wales Universities Board, New South Wales Higher Education Board and for Colleges of Advanced Education. An Interim College Council was formed in Wagga Wagga for the purpose of establishing a Riverina College of Advanced Education. (1)
The Riverina College of Advanced Education was established on 1 January 1972 when it was declared to be a College of Advanced Education within the Department of Technical Education under section 17(1) of the Higher Education Act 1969. (2) It became an autonomous body from 1 October 1972 under Section 16(1) of the Higher Education Act 1969. (3)
Wagga Wagga Teachers College was the first to amalgamate in 1972 as the School of Teacher Education. The two other foundation schools were the Schools of Applied Science and Business and Liberal Studies. Study Centres were also opened at Griffith and Albury-Wodonga in 1972. (4)
From the beginnings of the Riverina College of Advanced Education it was proposed that there would be an integration with the Wagga Agricultural College. Although initially the Department of Agriculture resisted amalgamation. (5) It was not until 1976 that the amalgamation of the Wagga Agricultural College and the Riverina College of Advanced Education took place, and the Wagga Agricultural College became the School of Agriculture within the Riverina College of Advanced Education. (6)
In 1984 the Goulburn College of Advanced Education was disbanded, and the students and staff were divided between the Wagga and Albury Campuses of the Riverina College of Advanced Education (7) In 1984 the name was changed to Riverina-Murray Institute of Education to recognise the many geographical areas the college covered. (8)
In 1989 the Charles Sturt University Act brought together the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education and the Mitchell College of Advanced Education to form Charles Sturt University. (9)

Endnotes

  1. June Sutherland, From farm boys to Ph D's: Agricultural Education at Wagga Wagga, 1896-1996, Charles Sturt University, 1996, p.121.
  2. NSW Government Gazette No.129, 5 November 1971, p.4278.
  3. Department of Technical Education, Report of the Minister for Education for the year ended 31st December 1972, pp.14-15 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1973 Vol.2, pp.892-893
  4. Charles Sturt University - Mitchell, p.9.
  5. Sutherland, op. cit., p.122.
  6. Charles Sturt University - Mitchell p.9.
  7. Sutherland, op. cit., p.122.
  8. ibid.
    9.Charles Sturt University Handbook 2000, p.13.

Wagga Wagga Teachers' College

  • Agency001
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1 January 1947 - 1 January 1972

Wagga Wagga Teachers' College was established in 1947 to provide a two year course for the training of infant and primary school teachers. (1) Nine lecturers were appointed in January 1947 with George Leslie Blakemore, B.A., as Principal and Griffiths Duncan, M.A. as Deputy Principal. (2)

Under section 17(1) of the Higher Education Act 1969 (Act No.29, 1969) Wagga Wagga Teachers College was declared a College of Advanced Education within the Department of Education from 1 September 1971. (3)

From 1 January 1972 under section 17 (1) of the Higher Education Act 1969, the Wagga Wagga Teachers' College was amalgamated with the Riverina College of Advanced Education, becoming the School of Teacher Training. (4)

Endnotes:

  1. Charles Sturt University - Mitchell, p.9.
  2. Public Service List, 1947.Sydney, NSW Government Printer, 1948, p.108.
  3. NSW Government Gazette No.95, 27 August 1971, p.3299.
  4. Charles Sturt University - Mitchell, p.9; NSW Government Gazette No.129, 5 November 1971, p.4278.

CSU Regional Archives and University Art Collection

  • Agency576
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1973 -

The Charles Sturt University Regional Archives and University Art Collection is a combined-function repository on the South Campus of Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.

Archival material has been collected from the Riverina and Murray regions since 1973 and the Archive Collection now extends to over 4500 linear metres. The Art Collection has been officially curated since 1996, which brought together a quality collection of twentieth century Australian artworks from the University's many precursor institutions. Much of the Art Collection is currently on display throughout the University's campuses.

CSU Print

  • Agency830
  • Tertiary Institution

Mitchell College of Advanced Education [MCAE]

  • Agency321
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1 January 1970 - 18 July 1989

On the 19 September 1967 it was announced that premises were to be constructed at Bathurst to house a College of Advanced Education. From the outset it was envisaged that the Bathurst Teachers' College would integrate with the College of Advanced Education (1).
The Bathurst Teachers' College closed on the 31 December 1967, and the Mitchell College of Advanced Education was established on the 1 January 1970 (2).
Under Part IV of the Higher Education Act, 1969, the Mitchell College of Advanced Education was declared a College within the Department of Technical Education (3).
On 11 December 1970 a notice in the NSW Government Gazette declared that a body corporate be constituted to be known as Mitchell College of Advanced Education. This was to take effect from 1 January 1971 (4). As a result, the responsibilities of the Department of Higher Education for the Mitchell College of Advanced Education ceased at the end of 1970 (5).
The Mitchell College of Advanced Education saw its primary role as vocational undergraduate training. Educational opportunities were offered in diverse applied and professional fields, and in a variety of modes: full-time, part-time, external, and continuing education (6).
On the 19 July 1989 the Charles Sturt University Act brought together the Mitchell College of Advanced Education and the Riverina Murray Institute of Higher Education to form Charles Sturt University (7).

Footnotes and References:
(1) The Story of Three Colleges: A history of the Bathurst Government Reserve, Racecourse, Experiment Farm School, Teachers' College and Mitchell College of Advanced Education, Theo Baker p.135
(2) ibid, p.153
(3) New South Wales Government Gazette, 10 April 1970
(4) New South Wales Government Gazette, 11 December 1970, p.4976
(5) Baker, loc cit, p.190
(6) ibid, p.300
(7) CSU Handbook 2000,p13

Charles Sturt University Council

  • Agency172
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 01/07/1999 -

The Charles Sturt University Council was established on 1 July 1999, as the governing body of the University, to oversee the resources and development of the University relating to teaching, research, administration and any other activities of the University. (1)

The first meeting of Council was convened on 20 August 1999, after its predecessor, the Board of Governors was disbanded in June 1999 in compliance with the Charles Sturt University Amendment Act of 1998. (2)

The membership of the Council is nineteen, and as stipulated by the abovementioned Act it comprises:

  • two Parliamentary members (one member of the Legislative Council elected by that Council, and one member of the Legislative Assembly elected by that Assembly);
  • three official members (comprising the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the deputy-presiding officer of the Academic Senate);
  • eight appointed members (four persons appointed by the Minister and a further four persons appointed by the Minister, being persons nominated by the Council, who are graduates of the University);
  • five elected members (two of whom are members of the academic staff of the University, duly elected by the academic staff; one member who is a member of the general staff of the University; and two students of the University who are not staff members); and
  • one other person appointed by Council, who is a member of the staff of the University having responsibility for the administration of a major campus. (3)

The functions of the Charles Sturt University Council as outlined by the Act are:

  • to act for and on behalf of the University in the exercise of the University’s functions;
  • to control and manage the affairs and concerns of the University;
  • to act in all matters concerning the University in such a manner as appears to the Council to be acting in the best interests of the University;
  • to provide courses, and confer degrees, awards and diplomas as it thinks fit;
  • to appoint and terminate the appointment of academic and other staff of the University;
  • to invest any funds belonging to or vested in the University;
  • to promote, establish or participate in partnerships, trusts, companies, other incorporated bodies or joint ventures;
  • to establish and maintain branches and colleges of the University, within the University and elsewhere;
  • to make loans and grants to students, and impose fees, charges and fines where applicable. (4)

The Council kept intact the same committee structure that its predecessor, the Board of Governors, had in place. That is:

  • the Academic Senate (the principal academic body of the University which advises the Council on all matters relating to teaching, scholarship and research);
  • the Standing Committee (an executive body of Council which acts on behalf of the latter in those matters requiring immediate action);
  • the Finance Committee (to advise the Council on all matters of a financial nature);
  • the Personnel Committee (to make recommendations to the Council concerning policies in relation to personnel);
  • the Honorary Awards Committee (to consider all nominations for proposed honorary awards); and
  • the Audit Committee (responsible for reviewing both the internal and external auditors). (5)

Notes:
(1) Charles Sturt University Annual Report, 1999, p.39.
(2) ibid., p.39.
(3) Charles Sturt University Amendment Act, 1998, p.5.
(4) ibid., p.7-8.
(5) Charles Sturt University Annual Report, 1999, p.39.

Agency History compiled by Wayne Doubleday (2004).

First Nations Student Centres

  • Agency416
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1983-

From about 1983, there was a centre dedicated to helping Indigenous students at the Mitchell College of Advanced Education, known as the Aboriginal Study Centre, located in Building W3. (1) Its purpose was to provide assistance and guidance in choosing and applying for courses, finding accommodation, choosing electives, and developing study and assignment skills. The Centre also provided childminding and financial services. (2)

In 1992, Charles Sturt University established the Aboriginal Education Unit. Its purpose was to co-ordinate the Aboriginal Education Centres on the University's three campuses: Winan-Gidyal situated in the Hicks Building on the Albury Wodonga Campus, Wammarra in Building W3 on the Bathurst Campus, and Ngungilanna on the Wagga Wagga Campus. (3)

Around 2002, the name of the Unit changed to the Maldahan Gilaana Indigenous Education Unit and the following year a new Centre was established on the Dubbo campus, named Barraamielinga. (4)

As of 2021, there are seven First Nations Student Centres at Charles Sturt University. Their role with Indigenous Students includes: providing information on how to apply for courses, help with costs, accommodation enquiries, access to computers and printers, rooms for meeting and studying, improving study skills, understanding career options, counselling and other support services, involvement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events, such as NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day, information on social clubs and events, participation in activities that promote higher education, and opportunities to study overseas. (5) The seven Centres are:

Barraamielinga (to provide) on the Dubbo Campus in Building 905;

Maliyan (symbol of law and justice) on the Goulburn Campus;

Ngarralbaa (thinking, knowing, remembering) on the Port Macquarie Campus in Pitkin House (Building 801, room 2072);

Ngunggilanha (to exchange/give to one another) on the Wagga Wagga Campus (Building 19);

Wammarra (to build one's education) on the Bathurst Campus (Building 1292, ground floor);

Winan Gidyal (learning/knowledge) on the Albury Campus in the Gordon Bevan Building (Building 673, level 2);

NOT YET NAMED on the Orange Campus (Building 1021, Room 5). (6)

References:
(1) Mitchell College of Advanced Education 1983 Handbook, page 18.
(2) Mitchell College of Advanced Education 1989 Handbook, page 12.
(3) Charles Sturt University 1992 Handbook, page 39.
(4) Charles Sturt University 2003 Handbook, page 50.
(5) CSU First Nations Student Centres website, accessed 21 October 2021: https://www.csu.edu.au/current-students/support-services/specialist-services/first-nations-students/first-nations-student-centres
(6) CSU First Nations Student Support website, accessed 21 October 2021: https://study.csu.edu.au/get-support

Charles Sturt University Board of Governors

  • Agency249
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 14/11/1990 - 11/06/1999

The Charles Sturt University Board of Governors was first convened on the 14th November 1990, when it succeeded the Interim Board of Governors as the governing body and policy making authority of Charles Sturt University (CSU) (1). The 1991 CSU Annual Report described the responsibilities of the Board of Governors as “…overseeing the university’s resources and the development of broad policies for academic planning and administrative and teaching facilities.” (2)

The membership of the Board, which had been appointed in October 1990, had the following membership, as stipulated by the Charles Sturt University Act 1989:

  • two Parliamentary members (one member of the Legislative Council elected by that Council, and one member of the Legislative Assembly elected by that Assembly);
  • the Official members consisting of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, each of the Chief Executive Officers of the network members (that is, the Principals of each of the campuses
  • Mitchell, Riverina and Murray) and the deputy presiding member of the Academic Senate; eight appointed members (four persons appointed by the Minister, being persons who have, in the opinion of the Minister, an association with western and south-western New South Wales, and four persons appointed by the Minister, being persons nominated by the Council of the University of New South Wales); and
  • four elected members (two members of the academic staff of the University, one member of the non-academic staff of the University, and one person who is a student of the University). (3)

The University By-Laws provided that ordinary meetings of the Board of Governors be held no fewer than five times each calendar year, and that these meetings should be open to members of the University, however where a confidential matter arose, the Board could go into “camera” at any time (4).

The Charles Sturt University Act 1989, detailed the following attributes as functions of the Board of Governors as the governing authority of the University:

  • responsibility for the coordination of the University’s resources;
  • the distribution of the income of the University amongst the network members;
  • the development of broad policies with respect to academic planning, the nature and standards of academic awards, and defining the educational profile of the University;
  • the definition of areas and responsibilities for the network members in respect to teaching, research and consultancy;
  • the development of administrative and teaching facilities for the University;
  • liaison with the government in relation to the overall resource needs of the University;
  • and representation of the University as required (5).

The powers of the Board of Governors as stipulated by the Act included:

  • to provide courses, and confer degrees, awards, diplomas and certificates as it sees fit;
  • appointing and terminating the appointments of academic and other staff of the University;
  • to control and manage the affairs and concerns of the University in its best interests;
  • to invest and borrow money or funds on the University’s behalf;
  • to engage in the commercial development of any interests of the University;
  • to establish and maintain branches and colleges of the University within the University itself and elsewhere;
  • to make loans and grants to students, and also to impose fees, charges and fines where applicable (6).

As the Interim Board of Governors had not established any Committees of the Board, one of the first initiatives the Board of Governors was required to implement were it’s committees. Thus, by the end of 1990, the Board had established the following committees:

  • the Academic Senate (the principal academic body of the University which advised the Board of Governors on all matters relating to teaching, scholarship and research);
  • the Standing Committee (an executive body of the Board of Governors which acted on behalf of the latter in those matters requiring immediate action);
  • the Finance Committee (to advise the Board of Governors on all matters of a financial nature);
  • the Personnel Committee (to make recommendations to the Board of Governors concerning policies in relation to personnel); and
  • the Honorary Awards Committee (to consider all nominations for proposed honorary awards). (7)
    In addition to these committees, the Audit Committee (responsible for reviewing both the internal and external auditors) was established in 1994. (8)

The last meeting of the Board of Governors was convened on 11 June 1999, after which it was disbanded and replaced by the Charles Sturt University Council which was established on 1 July 1999. This change in governance was precipitated by Charles Sturt University Amendment Act of 1998. (9)

End Notes:
(1) Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Governors, 14 November 1990, Agenda p.1.
(2) Charles Sturt University Annual Report, 1991, p.5.
(3) Charles Sturt University Act, 1989, p.10.
(4) Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Governors, 14 November 1990, Agenda attachment.
(5) Charles Sturt University Act, 1989, p.13-14.
(6) Ibid., p. 14-15.
(7) Meeting of the Board of Governors (2/90), 19 December 1990, Agenda attachment.
(8) Charles Sturt University Annual Report, 1994, p.7.
(9) Charles Sturt University Annual Report, 1999, p.39.

Agency History compiled by Wayne Doubleday (2004).

Charles Sturt University Interim Board of Governors

  • Agency279
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 19/07/1989 - 15/08/1990

The first meeting of the Interim Board of Governors was held on 19 July 1989, the same day that the Charles Sturt University Act, 1989 (Act No.76, 1989) was proclaimed. (1) The Interim Board of Governors was the governing body of the newly established Charles Sturt University, and as such, controlled the initial development and direction of the University.

The Charles Sturt University Interim Board of Governors was charged with the responsibility of establishing all necessary by-laws and taking all steps to ensure that the Board of Governors proper could be constituted within twelve months. (2) Other priority tasks included the appointment of a Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor (the latter of which was appointed in May 1990), the difficult decision of where to set up the Chancellery, the establishment of an Academic Senate and other committees including an overall academic structure, the establishment of conditions of employment, procurement of a University seal, the creation of a corporate image for the University, and the delegation of functions to members of the Board, to committees and officers of the University. (3)

In June 1989, the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Dr Terry Metherell, appointed the initial fifteen members to the Interim Board of Governors. This number was then supplemented by the three Chief Executive Officers of the three campuses of the University - Mitchell (Bathurst), Riverina (Wagga Wagga) and Murray (Albury-Wodonga). (4)

The substantive Board of Governors was appointed in October 1990, at which time the Interim Board of Governors was disbanded, its last meeting being convened on 15 August 1990. (5)

Endnotes

  1. Charles Sturt University Act 1989 (Act No.76, 1989), Schedule 4 cl. 25, commencement proclamation NSW Government Gazette No.83, 14 July 1989, p.4202; Inaugural Meeting of the Interim Board of Governors, 19 July 1989, Agenda p.1.
  2. Order of Proceedings for Ceremony to mark the Inaugural Meeting of the Interim Board of Governors, 19 July 1989.
  3. Inaugural Meeting of the Interim Board of Governors, 19 July 1989, Agenda pp.81-82.
  4. CSU Annual Report 1990, p.8.
  5. Ibid., p.8.

Agency History compiled by Wayne Doubleday (2004).

Charles Sturt University

  • Agency323
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 19 July 1989 -

Charles Sturt University was established by the Charles Sturt University Act, 1989 (Act No.76, 1989), which was proclaimed on the 19 July 1989 (1). The Act brought together the Mitchell College of Advanced Education and the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education (2).

The University was created as a federated network University with semi-independent member campuses and a central administration (3).

The Charles Sturt University Amendment Act, 1998 (No.117, 1998) encapsulated in legislation the structure of the University, namely, an integrated, multi-campus structure in which the major academic units, the Faculties, are represented on at least three campuses of the University and the administrative divisions to have University-wide responsibilities (4).

As required by the Act, the University operates main campuses at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga. The University also operates from other locations including the City of Sydney, Manly, Goulburn, Canberra, Morpeth and Broken Hill. The University's headquarters is located at the Bathurst campus (5).

Footnotes and References:
(1) NSW Government Gazette, 14 July 1989, p.4202
(2) Charles Sturt University Undergraduate Handbook 2000.
(3) Op Cit
(4) Op Cit
(5) Op Cit

Agency History compiled by W. Doubleday.

Rivcol Drama // University Theatre Ensemble [UTE]

  • Agency319
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1974 -

Rivcol Drama was established as the dramatic society of the Riverina College of Advanced Education (later the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education). With the change to Charles Sturt University, Rivcol Drama became the University Theatre Ensemble (also known as UTE).

Goulburn Teachers' College [GTC] // Goulburn College of Advanced Education [GCAE]

  • Agency295
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1 July 1970 - 1 January 1982

In 1968 the Department of Education took the decision to build several new colleges for teacher training (1). In July 1968 tenders for the Goulburn Teachers' College were issued (2) and the buildings were almost completed by July 1970. On 30 June 1970, 185 students were enrolled in the college. (3)
The College officially opened on 1 July 1970 (4). Initially only primary school teachers were trained there (5) but by 1973 secondary teacher education specialising in industrial arts became available. Both courses were offered as a full time Diploma in Teaching (6).
From 1 December 1974 the Goulburn Teachers' College was constituted as a corporate body as a college of advanced education but retained the corporate name of Goulburn Teachers College (7).
On 8 August 1975 the corporate name of the college was changed to Goulburn College of Advanced Education, under section 5(5) of the College of Advanced Education Act 1975 (Act No.11,1975) (8). Section 5(5) of the College of Advanced Education Act allowed for the change of the body corporate name of Colleges of Advanced Education.
The college continued to offer primary and secondary teacher’s diplomas until 1982 when it was disbanded and the staff and students were transferred to campuses of the Riverina College of Advanced Education (9).

Endnotes

  1. Report for the Department of Education for the year 1968, p.10 in Parliamentary Papers Vol. 3 1969-1970-1971, p.330.
  2. NSW Government Gazette, 19 July 1968 p.2895.
  3. Report for the Department of Education for the Year 1970, p.50 in Parliamentary Papers Vol. 2 1971-1972, p.931.
  4. Ibid., p.32.
  5. Ibid., p.49.
  6. Report of the Advanced Education Board, 1973, p.28 in Parliamentary Papers Vol .1 1973-1974, p. 586.
  7. NSW Government Gazette No.143, 29 November 1974, pp.4519-4520.
  8. NSW Government Gazette, 8 August 1975, p.3160.
  9. NSW Government Gazette, 18 December 1981, pp.6642-6646.

Bathurst Experiment Farm [BEF]

  • Agency320
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 16 July 1895 - 12 March 1951

In 1890 the government of Henry Parkes established a Department of Agriculture, and among its many duties it was the oversight a system of farm schools and experiment farms. (1)
The Bathurst Experiment Farm was established by proclamation in July 1895 (2), and the first students commenced their studies in March 1897 (2a). From the beginning the Farm's main function was to educate both students and local farmers in the area of agriculture. The students received practical and theoretical training in a number of subjects, and after two years they were awarded a farm certificate. (3)
In the first five years of operation the Farm could only accommodate thirteen students and had no permanent academic staff. (4) Between 1902 and 1913 a number of permanent teaching staff were appointed, and by 1913 the educational aspect of the Farm's activities had developed into a well established and smooth running program. (5)
There was accommodation for 34 resident students, and non resident students were also admitted to the course. Applications for admission of students were received by the Under Secretary of Agriculture. (6) In addition to practical work students attended lectures on agriculture, orchard horticulture, veterinary science, sheep and wool, dairy science, botany, chemistry, entomology, soil physics, book keeping, and mensuration. (7)
Teaching at the Farm was suspended in August 1941 due to the Second World War. (8) However the Farm staff continued with their work during this time.
During the war the Defence Department also used the site of the Farm as an Ordnance Department until 1946. (9) They continued until 1949. The site became the location for the Bathurst Teachers College from 12 March 1951. (10)

Footnotes and References:
(1) The Story of Three Colleges: A history of the Bathurst Government Reserve, Racecourse, Experiment Farm School, Teachers' College and Mitchell College of Advanced Education, by Theo Baker, p.30
(2) NSW Government Gazette, 14 August 1895, page 5219-5220
(2a) ibid, p.45.
(3) ibid, p.46.
(4) ibid, p.47.
(5) ibid,p.48.
(6) ibid, p.52.
(7) ibid, p.52.
(8) ibid, p.67.
(9) ibid, p.71.
(10) ibid, p.80.

Orange Agricultural College [OAC]

  • Agency322
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 1973 - 2000

The Orange Agricultural College was established in 1973 to offer courses principally related to the management of agricultural businesses. (1)
On 1 January 1990, the College became an official college of the University of New England. (2) Then on 1 January 1994, following major changes to the University of New England, Orange Agricultural College was handed over to the University of Sydney, becoming an academic college of that University. (3) In 2000, the Orange Agricultural College was officially dissolved while still remaining part of the University of Sydney. (4)
On 1 January 2005, the Orange Campus was transferred to the ownership of Charles Sturt University, with the official opening taking place on 8 September 2006. (5)

Endnotes:
(1) Charles Sturt University: Orange Campus History https://about.csu.edu.au/our-university/history/campus-histories/orange
(2) State Archives and Records Authority of NSW: University of New England Agency History https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/agency/3890
(3) State Archives and Records Authority of NSW: University of Sydney Agency History https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/agency/3666
(4) Charles Sturt University: Orange Campus History https://about.csu.edu.au/our-university/history/campus-histories/orange
(5) Charles Sturt University: Orange Campus History https://about.csu.edu.au/our-university/history/campus-histories/orange

Wagga Agricultural College

  • Agency013
  • Tertiary Institution
  • February 1949 - 1976

In October 1948 the Minister for Agriculture proposed that the Wagga Agricultural College should be established on the site of the Wagga Experiment Farm. (1) Although the first students attended lectures on 3 March 1949, the official opening and naming did not take place until 9 September 1949. (2)
The advances in agricultural studies were reflected in the courses studied at the Wagga Agricultural College. The subjects included: agriculture; livestock; agricultural chemistry; soil physics; agricultural botany; business principles; farm meteorology; economic entomology; farm mechanics; farm book-keeping and elementary veterinary science. (3)
The methods of instruction differed greatly from those used at the previous Experiment Farm. The students were taught through full-time lectures and by 1965 practical work had been reduced to 25% of the course. (4) The students were expected to have the Intermediate Certificate as a basic educational requirement and instead of being awarded a certificate on the completion of the course they were awarded a Diploma of Agriculture. (5)
Initially the College title still included "Experiment Farm", but in 1950 the plans for an Agricultural Research Institute commenced and this marked the next stage in the consolidation of the experimental work. (6)
In 1963 there was a reform of the entrance procedures. New admissions were not to be based on priority of application but on the results of the Intermediate Certificate in order of merit. The entry age was raised to 17 years, and English, mathematics, and science were pre-requisite subjects. (7)
In 1965 the Martin Report found that students were coming to Wagga Agricultural College with a higher standard of education and fewer diplomates were returning to farming as an occupation. The Report recommended that the academic standing of institutions like agricultural colleges be upgraded to the status of Colleges of Advanced Education. (8)
By 1970 the progress in the discipline of agricultural training outside universities had advanced sufficiently for the Wagga Agricultural College to be accorded the status of a college of advanced education. (9) As a consequence there were changes in the academic staffing, and the shifting from a set course of study to a range of options which could be tailored to the students needs. (10)
Although colleges of advanced education in New South Wales were brought under the control of the Minister for Education in 1969, the agricultural colleges remained under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. (11) From 1 January 1972 Wagga Agricultural College was declared a College of Advanced Education within the Department of Agriculture under section 17(1) of the Higher Education Act 1969 (Act No.29, 1969). (12)
In 1972 the first female students were enrolled at the Wagga Agricultural College. (13)
It was not until the Wagga Agricultural College amalgamated with the Riverina College of Advanced Education in 1976 that it was brought under the jurisdiction of the Department of Technical Education, responsible to the Minister for Education. (14) Following the amalgamation, the Wagga Agricultural College became the School of Agriculture within the Riverina College of Advanced Education. (15)

Endnotes

  1. From farm boys to Ph D's: Agricultural Education at Wagga Wagga, 1896-1996, by June Sutherland, CSU, 1996, p.73.
  2. Ibid., p.74.
  3. Ibid., p.153.
  4. Op. cit.
  5. Ibid p.76.
  6. Op. cit.
  7. Ibid., p.97.
  8. Ibid., p.103.
  9. Ibid., p.112.
  10. Op. cit.
  11. Ibid., p.112.
  12. NSW Government Gazette No.131, 12 November 1971, p.4365.
  13. Sutherland, op. cit., p.116.
  14. Ibid., p.130.
  15. Charles Sturt University-Mitchell Handbook, p.9.

Wagga Experiment Farm

  • Agency012
  • Tertiary Institution
  • 25 October 1892 - February 1949

The Wagga Agricultural School and Experiment Farm was established in October 1892. Students were accepted from 1 October 1896.
The entry age for boys was set at 15 years of age (1). Being also a research station for improvement in cereal strains, it was intended that the students would be provided with the practical knowledge of farm operations. They worked a 48 hour week, and were taught by the research staff and the workmen employed on the Experiment Farm. (2)
The students received instruction in cultivation, propagating and grading of crops as well as care and handling of livestock and blacksmithing. (3) The Experiment Farm provided a two year course of instruction in agriculture which led to a certificate. However, it was not uncommon for some students to leave as soon as they had accomplished their goals and thus did not stay to complete the course. (4)
In 1948 the Minister for Agriculture proposed the establishment of an Agricultural College at Wagga offering a three year diploma course, and on the 9 September 1949 the Wagga Experiment Farm was converted into the Wagga Agricultural College. (5)

Endnotes

  1. June Sutherland, From Farm Boys to Ph D's: Agricultural Education at Wagga Wagga, 1896-1996, Charles Sturt University, 1996, p.153.
  2. Op. cit.
  3. Op. cit.
  4. Ibid., pp.74, 153.
  5. Ibid., pp.73-74.