Description
On 12 March 1956 Council approved the appointment of Dr Dennis Frank Orchard as Foundation Chair of Highway Engineering. (resolution 687) The Chair was established through an endowment of 5,000 pounds per year provided by the Government of New South Wales through the Commissioner of Main Roads. Professor Orchard, an engineering graduate from the University of London, had previously worked in the United Kingdom for Surrey County Council, the Ministry of Works, the Road Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Harlow Development Corporation. At the time of his appointment Orchard was working for Sir William Halcrow and Partners, Consulting Engineers, at Accra in Ghana (then known as the Gold Coast). (BRF-Orchard, DF; OH42) The School of Highway Engineering was established by Council on 8 September 1958 (resolution 58/120). It was primarily postgraduate in nature. It offered courses leading to the degrees of Master of Technology and Diploma in Highway Engineering. Its research program led to the degrees of Master of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy. The School also participated in undergraduate courses in the School of Civil Engineering and the School of Transportation and Traffic Engineering. The main subjects of instruction were road location and design, pavement design and soil analysis, road construction, bridge design, traffic engineering, highway law, contract documents, hydrology and plant. It drew its students from throughout Australia, Asia and New Zealand. The School also developed 10-week short course for international students which proved popular. The School commenced classes at the Broadway campus but was later transferred to the Kensington campus. (SRF - Highway and Traffic, Schools of; The University of New South Wales, c.1961: 117; V329) At a meeting on 17 January 1977 Council resolved (resolution 77/4) that the School of Transportation and Traffic Engineering and the School of Highway Engineering would form a new school to be known as the School of Transport and Highways, effective from 25 July 1977. Professor Ross Blunden from the School of Transportation and Traffic Engineering was appointed as Head of the new School. (BRF - Blunden; CN956/30 File: 5601071E) Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 08/09/1958-17/01/1977