Online Archives Search

Discover just some of the amazing material held in the Archives.

The Online Archives Search is a limited search of the UNSW Archives' collection - please note that it does not cover everything held by the Archives.

UNSW staff can also search for archival records through the RAMS interface.

A small selection of the Archives' digital photographs are also available for searching and viewing via UNSW Digital Collections.

  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    Professors Patrick O'Farrell and John Ingleson established the Local History Co-ordination Project when a Bicentennial grant of $200,000 was awarded to the School of History within the Faculty of Arts in March 1986. The main aim of the project was to encourage the writing of local history, and this was achieved through the production of workshops, conferences and the bulletin Locality. In 1989 the Project was renamed the Community History Program as part of a new image to make its services available to the wider local history community. In 1993 the Program established a professional history consultancy, and soon afterwards, on 27 October 1994, this was reflected in a name change to the Centre for Community History. In 1998, the Centre created its own course with the inauguration of the Certificate in Community History, which was followed in 1999 by the Certificate in Managing Historical Documents. Due to funding problems, the Centre's services were heavily curtailed at the conclusion of 1999. The last issue of Locality produced by the Centre appeared in late 2000 and in 2001 Locality magazine was transferred to a new home at the University of Technology (UTS). The Centre was officially closed on June 30, 2002 after the school of History, at a staff meeting held on 6 March 2002, decided to disband the Centre on account of the difficulty of attracting outside funding. In 2002 work begun by the Centre does, however, live on, the Certificate in Managing Historical Documents is still continuing with the School of History. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/03/1986-30/06/2002
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Archives Series
    Description
    This series contains the reports on the UNSW Student Survey. Each item in the series is a typed, paper-bound volume. In April 2007, the Institutional Analysis & Reporting Office's website (http://www.pso.unsw.edu.au) described the survey as follows: The UNSW Student Survey provides valuable information to inform the University's planning and quality improvement processes. The University surveys currently enrolled students on a regular basis to obtain feedback on students' overall satisfaction with UNSW, with the quality of the educational experience at UNSW, and with the quality of facilities and services that support teaching and learning. In particular years, the survey addresses a number of additional issues of strategic importance. Additional issues that have been addressed to date include students' access to information technology, the circumstances of students that might impact on timetabling and transport, students' acquisition of generic skills and attributes, and their assessment of the core values espoused by UNSW. Student survey results are included in the annual reports on University and Faculty Performance Indicators. In 2004, the survey took a new approach by focussing on the experience of first year students in their engagement with the University experience. This line of investigation has proven especially useful in the extensive work being done at UNSW to improve the learning and teaching experience. The full reports on the 1997 surveys is not currently held by the Archives - only the confidential supplements have been retained. The survey was not undertaken in 2000. It is unclear if any surveys were undertaken for 2002 onwards.
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Archives Series
    Description
    This series consists of Sports Club Files of the Sports Association. The material is primarily typed, and is maintained in folders. The files are arranged according to club name in alphabetical order, then chronologically. Some clubs have significantly more material than others, and there are significant gaps in the collection. Most of the material is composed of circulars, correspondence, minutes, programmes and newsletters. There is also often club member list and other administrative material.
  • Start date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    In 1985 the Australian Research Grants Scheme (ARGS) introduced a new requirement that grant applications where the researcher intended using ionising radiation, would require an approval from a University radiation committee. In compliance, the University Safety Committee (USC), at its meeting on 18th April 1985, established the Radiation Safety Committee. The objective of the Committee was to assess ARGS applications for approval. (File #00008559) The inaugural meeting of the Radiation Safety Committee was held on 17th July 1985 with Dr R Rosen, the Radiation Safety Officer, as chairman. (File #850559) It appears that initially the Radiation Safety Committee may have been a Sub-Committee of the USC, and gradually adopted a more advisory role. (File #900400) In 1990, the Committee expanded its terms of reference to the following - i) to advise the Vice Chancellor on matters of radiation safety within the University, ii) to recommend institutional clearance for research grant applications as required for radiation work, and iii) to assist the University Safety Unit by providing radiation safety expertise as appropriate. (File #00085558). In 2004, the Presiding Member of the Radiation Safety Committee was A/Prof. Vincent Murray, of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science in the Faculty of Science. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 18/04/1985-
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    In November 1977 around 150 university staff were invited to a meeting by the Vice-Chancellor to consider steps which might be taken to enhance the university's contribution to the study of Australia's energy problems. As a result of that meeting, a working party was formed to advise the Vice-Chancellor on the steps that the university might take. On 9 March 1978 the working party provided its final report, which suggested that a new centre be formed to be named the Energy Research, Development and Information Centre (ERDIC). On 10 May 1978 the Vice-Chancellor approved the establishment of the centre, which was to have the following functions: 1. to identify and report to the Vice-Chancellor on new directions for energy research, including technological, economic, environmental, social, conservational and educational aspects (especially continuing education), with a view to meeting the needs of the Australian community; 2. to facilitate and to generate funding opportunities for energy research within the university, both in existing schools and in new multi-disciplinary areas; 3. to be a vehicle for the receipt by the university of inquiries on energy research and development and for the formulation and submission of multi-disciplinary proposals by the university; 4. to catalyse the flow of information on energy, both within and from the university; 5. to advise on how the university library might become a resource centre for information on energy in Australia; 6. to consider and report on possible methods of funding the Centre in the future; and 7. to prepare and submit to the Vice-Chancellor within three months of the close of each calendar year an annual report of university activities in the field of energy. Associate Professor G. D. Sergeant took up the position as the first Director of the Centre. The Centre also had a Management Committee, which held its first meeting on 20 July 1978 (file 00032678). During 1985 the Centre was restructured and an Advisory Committee was created (file 033835, V243). As the result of a review of the Centre during 1996, from January 1997 ERDIC became a part of the Faculty of Engineering (file 921049). On 10 March 2005 the Centre's Management Committee recommended its closure effective from 31 December 2005. On 22 September 2005 the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education & Quality Improvement) approved this decision (file 990227). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 10/05/1978-31/12/2005
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    The Media Liaison Office was established on 31st October 1988 as a result of the Vice-Chancellor disestablishing the Public Affairs Unit, via the report of the Committee to Review the Public Affairs Function. The first Media Liaison Officer was Aviva Lowy, who reported to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jarlath Ronayne. At the time it was noted that the office will assist the Vice-Chancellor in publicising the research, teaching and community activities of the university and is charged with improving links between the academic staff of the university and members of the media (UNSW 1988 Annual Report, p 101, Focus 4 November 1988). From 16 September 1991 responsibility for the Media Liaison Office was moved to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Development) (Focus 23 August 1991). The title of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor's position was changed to Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Council meeting on 4 November 1991. After Professor John Niland took over as Vice-Chancellor on 6 July 1992, the Media Liaison Office reported directly to the Vice-Chancellor (Focus 8 May 1992). From 1 November 1995 the Media Liaison Office became the responsibility of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development) (Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 1 November, 1995). In the Working Party Report on Chancellery Services & Administrative Support Technology Report released on 10 July 1997 it was recommended that the News Service and Media Liaison Office be amalgamated. This was approved by the Vice-Chancellor in UNSW2000 Implementation Minute 25 (released on 6 November 1997) and delegated to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development). Implementation Minute 66 indicates that these changes were to occur by February 1998. As a result, the Media Liaison Office appears to have been absorbed into the Office of Public Affairs & Development and thereby effectively ceased to exist as a separate entity. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 31/10/1988-by 01/02/1998
  • Start date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    Initially student administration was undertaken by sections of the Department of Technical Education under powers conferred by Section 34 of the Technical Education and New South Wales University of Technology Act, proclaimed on 1 July 1949 (Act No. 11, 1949). The two principal administrative units for student administration were the Vocational Guidance Office and the Examinations and Student Records Branch (V533 Manual for General Information for Officers 1951: 138, 140) The Guidance Office as it became known operated a Student Counselling Service and an Educational and Occupational Information Service, processed applications for variations in courses, and assisted overseas students. (UNSW Calendar 1953: 62-64) Following the proclamation of the Appointed Day on 1 July 1954 the Division of the Registrar assumed most of the administrative work of the university originally undertaken by the Department of Technical Education. However some aspects of student administration remained with the Department, particularly vocational guidance, and were only transferred once the university and the Division of the Registrar were better established on the Kensington campus. In 1957 an Examinations and Student Records Section headed by the Officer-in-Charge, John Gannon was established (Minutes of Professorial Board, 7 July 1987, BRF Gannon, John Martin) and in 1961 the Student Counselling and Research Unit was created. From 1962 an Admissions Office providing prospective students with information about courses, admission requirements, scholarships, and enrolments details was located on the Kensington campus. (UNSW Calendar 1962: 83-4; 125-7) Soon afterwards student administration functions were consolidated within the Student Centre which encompassed Examinations and Student Records, Admissions and Statistics (UNSW Calendar 1963: 91) and later Data Processing. (UNSW Calendar Cal 1966: A99) In 1981 the administrative functions undertaken by the Division of the Assistant Principal and Registrar were restructured into three branches: Student Administration; Student Services; and Management Services. The Student Administration Branch comprised the Admissions and Examinations Section and the Student Records, Higher Degrees and Scholarships Section. (UNSW Annual Report 1982: 45) By 1988 the branch was responsible for undergraduate admissions, records and scholarships, postgraduate matters, examinations and prizes, and ceremonials. (04/17/1 Administration Manual [15 August 1988] Amendment: Issued 8/88) The title of the branch was changed to the Student Administration Department in 1990 (UNSW Calendar 1991:78). In 2005 a review of the department led to it being renamed UNSW Student Services within the Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). (UNSW Annual Report 2005:14) In 2006 its areas of responsibility encompassed Student Records and Administration, Student Support, Student Systems and Business Solutions, Counselling Service, Careers and Employment, and Accommodation Services (https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/Staff/StaffList.html Accessed: 23 June 2006) On taking up the position of vice-chancellor in June 2006, Professor Fred Hilmer announced that Student Services would in future report to a re-modelled position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). (Email to UNSW staff re Organisational Structure, 21 June 2006) Subordinate agency: University Housing Office (1993 - 2005) / Accommodation Services (2005 - ) - 11/10/1993 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1957-
  • Start date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    On 10 May 1954 the Council passed a resolution for an hydraulics laboratory of the School of Civil Engineering to be developed at Manly Vale (resolution 422i). On 26 May 1954 A. L. H. Scott, the Secretary of the Department of Education, wrote to the Secretary of the Department of Public Works, indicating that: At the site of a dam (no longer used as such) the Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board, the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission and your Department operate a Hydraulic Research Laboratory. It is understood that the area is vested in the Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board. Following discussions between representatives of the university, your department and the other authorities mentioned the Board has agreed to make available to the university a portion of the site on which it is proposed to erect laboratories, workshop and other administration buildings, plus a concrete causeway across a creek, a roadway and a pipe line from the dam (file 00014100). On 27 July 1956, as published in the Government Gazette No. 81, the land at Manly for the proposed hydraulics laboratory was resumed and on 16 November 1956, as published in Government Gazette No. 124, this land was vested in the New South Wales University of Technology (file 00015082). In the Laboratory's first annual report, dated December 1959, it was noted that the laboratory was occupied by its small initial staff in May 1958 (file 00000373). It appears to have been around this time that H. R. Vallentine was appointed as the first Officer-in-Charge of the Laboratory (BRF-Vallentine). The Water Research Laboratory was officially opened on 2 July 1959 by Sir Eric Woodward, Governor of New South Wales. At this time it was noted (file 00071057) that the Laboratory was to provide: - Instruction of undergraduate and postgraduate students in all phases of water engineering - Fundamental and applied research in the various fields of hydraulics and hydrology - Assistance to governmental and private organisations concerned with hydraulic equipment and hydraulic structures, by way of model testing and equipment calibration - The establishment of a comprehensive up-to-date library of books, periodicals and pamphlets devoted to the various aspects of water and water engineering. On 14 September 1964 the Department of Water Engineering was created within the School of Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering (Council resolution 64/180) and the Laboratory was included in this department from this date. On 21 April 1997 Council changed the name of the school to the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (resolution CL97/27d). In mid-1998 all departments within the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering were disestablished. The Department of Water Engineering thus ceased to exist (file 970913) and the Laboratory appears to have become a part of the wider School from this time. In 2009 the Director of the Water Research Laboratory was Dr Bill Peirson. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - c. 10/05/1954-
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    At Council's 14 November 1960 meeting - as a result of the Student Failure and Wastage Survey - it approved the recommendations of the Personnel Sub-Committee from 8 November 1960, which included the establishment of a Statistics Section attached to the Examinations Branch within the Division of the Registrar to provide statistics as required and to develop a machine processing organisation to serve all administrative units (resolution 60/152). The university's first Statistics Officer was R. R. Maloney, who was appointed on 16 October 1961 (Personnel Sub-Committee 12 December 1961 meeting). When the Division of the Registrar was restructured in 1981, the Statistics Section was moved into the newly formed Data Processing & Statistics Office, which reported to the Head of the Management Services Branch and Deputy Registrar, P. J. Wildblood. As part of a major administrative restructure that took place in July 1985 (SRF - Statistics), the Planning Services Department was created within the Division of the Deputy Principal (Planning & Information) with staff from the Statistics Section and from November 1985 they were managed by Terry Hand. At the time it was noted that the Department was responsible for supporting the development and maintenance of a planning process which regularly reviews the University's uses of its resources, examines and proposes alternatives in the context of long range goals (1985 UNSW Annual Report, p 71). On 1 September 1990 the Department was re-designated the Planning Services Office and transferred to the direction of the newly appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor Tony Wicken (Focus 10 August 1990, UNSW 1990 Annual Report, p 174). From 16 September 1991 this position became known as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) (Focus 23 August 1991). The title of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor's position was changed to Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Council meeting on 4 November 1991. In the Working Party Report on Chancellery Services & Administrative Support Technology Report released on 10 July 1997 it was recommended that the functions of the Planning Services Department and Corporate Planning & Quality Development Office be brought together. Approval for this move was given at the 8 October 1997 meeting of the Executive Group, with it becoming known as the Planning Office and reporting to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development). From 1 February 2000 the Planning Office reported to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resources) (SRF - Organisation & Management). At the 4 April 2001 Executive Group meeting the name of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning & Resources) was changed to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Enterprise) and from 16 April 2003 it became the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Education) (file 2003/0773). From 7 January 2004 the name of this position was altered to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) (SRF - Organisation & Management). At the 21 April 2004 Senior Management Group meeting the name of the Office was changed to the Institutional Analysis and Reporting Office, reporting to the Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). In 2007 the Office's website noted that it liaises with faculties and the Senior Management Group for student enrolment planning, prepares the University Enrolment Plan, and coordinates the preparation of the University's Institution Assessment Framework submission to the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). Other tasks undertaken by the office include: formulation, conduct and reporting on a range of student and staff surveys relating to the quality assurance initiatives of the University; development of measures of performance; analysis of UAC data to support the admissions and planning processes; ad hoc analyses and reporting of student and staff data to assist the Executive and the Deans in management decision-making, and; preparation of student load data for input to the University's annual budget estimates and mid-year adjustments. (April 2007 - http://www.pso.unsw.edu.au). The Office's Director in 2007 was David MacPherson. By at least January 2014, the Office was merged with the Data Governance Unit to form the new Business Reporting and Intelligence and Data Governance Unit (BRIDG) within the Division of Finance and Operations. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 14/11/1960-31/12/2013