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
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    The Faculty of Engineering was established on 8th May, 1950 under Council resolution 54. Through a ruling by the Developmental Council engineering courses had already been in operation at Sydney Technical College from 1st March, 1948, but this resolution officially created the Faculty. Initially the Faculty contained four departments - Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mining Engineering - and was administered by Dean H. J. Brown. The inaugural meeting of the Faculty took place on 7th June, 1950. In 2013, the Faculty, under Dean Professor Graham Davies, included nine schools and nineteen Centres. Subordinate agency: Higher Degree Committee of the Faculty of Engineering - 09/03/1964 - 13/12/1999 Subordinate agency: School of Highway Engineering - 08/09/1958 - 17/01/1977 Subordinate agency: Department (1949 - 51) / School of Civil Engineering (1951 - 97) / Civil & Environmental Engineering (1997 - ) - 08/05/1950 Subordinate agency: Department (1949 - 51) / School of Electrical Engineering (1) (1951 - 80) / Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (1981 - 90) / Electrical Engineering (2) (1991 - 98)/ Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications (1998 - ) - 08/05/1950 Subordinate agency: Department (1949 - 51) / School of Mechanical Engineering (1951 - 67) / Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (1967 - 90) / Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (1990 - ) - 08/05/1950 Subordinate agency: Department (1) (1949 - 1951) / School of Mining Engineering (1) (1951) / Mining Engineering & Applied Geology (1951 - 1963) / Mining Engineering (2) (1963 - 1985) - 08/05/1950 - 14/05/1956 Subordinate agency: School of Surveying (1970 - 1994) / Geomatic Engineering (1995 - 2001) / Surveying & Spatial Information Systems (2001 - 2012) / Surveying & Geospatial Engineering (2012 - 2013) - 11/05/1970 - 02/07/2013 Subordinate agency: School of Traffic Engineering (1957 - 1972) / School of Transportation and Traffic Engineering (1972 - 1977) - 13/05/1957 - 25/07/1977 Subordinate agency: Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Engineering - 27/03/1968 Subordinate agency: School of Chemical Engineering & Industrial Chemistry (1980 - 2006) / Chemical Sciences & Engineering (2006 - 2010) / Chemical Engineering (2) (2010 - - 01/07/1997 Subordinate agency: Centre for Biomedical Engineering (1976 - 1994) / Graduate School for Biomedical Engineering (1994 - ) - 08/05/1981 Subordinate agency: School of Computer Science and Engineering - 01/01/1991 Subordinate agency: Centre for Advanced Numerical Computation in Engineering & Science (CANCES) - 02/06/1992 - 30/06/2002 Subordinate agency: Energy Research, Development and Information Centre (ERDIC) - 01/01/1997 - 31/12/2005 Subordinate agency: Graduate School of Engineering - 09/11/1964 Subordinate agency: Centre for Health Telematics (1999 - 2000) / Centre for Health Informatics (CHI) (2000 - 2014) - 21/10/1999 - 31/05/2004 Subordinate agency: Centre for Interactive Cinema Research (iCinema) - 01/01/2005 Subordinate agency: Centre for Waste Management - 12/02/1986 - 27/03/1990 Subordinate agency: Centre for Manufacturing and Automation - 19/02/1986 - 02/07/1987 Subordinate agency: Co-operative Research Centre for Waste Management and Pollution Control Ltd - 06/08/1991 - 30/06/2004 Subordinate agency: Centre for Petroleum Engineering Studies (1984 - 1998) / School of Petroleum Engineering (1998 - ) - 01/07/1997 Subordinate agency: Australian Photonics Cooperative Research Centre - 01/04/1992 - 30/06/2006 Subordinate agency: Centre for Groundwater Management and Hydrogeology (1987 - 1993) / UNSW Groundwater Centre (1993 - 2002) - 04/03/1987 - 06/11/2002 Subordinate agency: Centre for Membrane and Separation Technology (1987 - 1992) / UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology (1992 - ) - 01/07/1997 Subordinate agency: Centre for Remote Sensing (1981 - 1992) / Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (1992 - c. 2005) - 12/08/1981 - 21/04/2005 Subordinate agency: School of Nuclear Engineering - 01/05/1961 - 31/12/1985 Subordinate agency: Electron Microscope Unit (2) - 01/02/1997 - 14/11/1997 Subordinate agency: Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) - 20/02/2001 Subordinate agency: Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets (CEEM) - 19/07/2004 Subordinate agency: Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety (CIES) - 05/12/2006 Subordinate agency: Connected Waters Initiative - 31/10/2006 Subordinate agency: Australian Centre for Construction Innovation (ACCI) - 02/02/1999 - 19/12/2003 Subordinate agency: Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering (2000-2005) - 01/01/2000 - 31/12/2005 Subordinate agency: School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering - 01/01/2006 Subordinate agency: Engineering Dean's Advisory Committee (EDAC) ( - 1986)/ Dean's Advisory Committee (DAC) of the Faculty of Engineering (1986 - 2008) / Dean's Engineering Management Committee of the Faculty of Engineering (2008 - 2010) / Dean's Executive Management Committee of the Faculty of Engineering (2010 - ) - 01/01/1971 Subordinate agency: Department of Mining Engineering (2) - 01/07/1997 - 01/12/1997 Subordinate agency: School of Mining Engineering (3) - 01/12/1997 Subordinate agency: Centre for Safety Science - 01/01/1986 - 31/12/1990 Subordinate agency: School of Transport and Highways - 25/07/1977 - 30/06/1980 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 08/05/1950-
  • Start date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    The Department of Civil Engineering dates back to the formation of the university itself on 1 July 1949, as it was one of the departments that had much of its origins in the Sydney Technical College, including the first head of the department, C. H. Munro. Initially Munro only worked part-time as head of department, but from 1 January 1951 he became full-time head and an associate professor (Technology, Vol. 1, No. 2). When the first three university faculties were established by Council on 8 May 1950 (resolution 54), Civil Engineering became one of the initial four departments within the Faculty of Engineering. On 10 September 1951 Council changed the designation of all departments to schools and so the School of Civil Engineering came into existence (resolution 153). On 14 September 1964 three departments - water engineering, structural engineering and surveying - were created within the school (Council resolution 64/180). On 21 April 1997 Council changed the name of the school to the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (resolution CL97/27d). From 1996 - 2005 the Head of School was Professor Ian Gilbert. In 2005 Professor Nicholas Ashbolt took over in this position. Subordinate agency: Management Committee of the School of Civil Engineering - 01/03/1979 Subordinate agency: Department of Water Engineering - 14/09/1964 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Centre for Wastewater Treatment (CWT) (1987 - 1997) / Centre for Water and Waste Technology (CWWT) (1997 - 2007) / UNSW Water Research Centre (WRC) (2008 - ) - 01/07/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Structural Engineering - 14/09/1964 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Structural Mechanics - 02/12/1968 - 12/01/1972 Subordinate agency: Department of Engineering Construction (1973) / Engineering Construction and Management (1973 - 1998) - 08/10/1973 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Civil Engineering Materials (1971 - 1988) / Geotechnical Engineering (1988 - 1998) - 24/03/1971 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Transport Engineering - 10/03/1980 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Water Research Laboratory (WRL) - 10/05/1954 - 14/09/1964 Subordinate agency: Water Research Laboratory (WRL) - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Surveying - 14/09/1964 - 11/05/1970 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/07/1949-
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    During 1979 discussions took place between the Schools of Civil Engineering and Transport and Highways concerning the proposed amalgamation of the two schools to form an enlarged School of Civil Engineering. An agreement between Professor Blunden, Head of the School of Transport and Highways, and Professor I K Lee, Head of the School of Civil Engineering, setting out the conditions for the amalgamation was signed by both parties on 19 February 1980. At its meeting on 10 March 1980 Council resolved (resolution 80/51) that the amalgamation between the two schools should proceed, effective from 1 July 1980. This necessitated the formation of a new department within the School of Civil Engineering, to be known as the Department of Transport Engineering. Professor Blunden became the head of the department reporting to the head of the School of Civil Engineering, Professor Lee. (SRF - Highway and Traffic, Schools of) Professor Blunden retired from the University on 30 June 1981. On his retirement he was made an Emeritus Professor of the University. (BRF - Blunden, William Ross) Dr John Black assumed the position of head of the department and in October 1984 became the first Professor of Transport Engineering in Australia. (BRF - Black, John) On 21 April 1997 Council resolved (resolution CL97/27(d)) to change the name of the school from the School of Civil Engineering to the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SRF - Civil Engineering). In mid-1998 all departments within the School of Civil Engineering were disestablished. The Department of Transport Engineering thus ceased to exist from this time (file 970913). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/07/1980-c. 30/06/1998
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    On 11 May 1970 Council reformed the Department of Surveying into an independent School of Surveying within the Faculty of Engineering (resolution 70/73). On 27 June 1994 Council changed the name of the school to the School of Geomatic Engineering effective from 1995 (resolution CL94/52d). On 18 June 2001 the school's name was changed again to the School of Surveying & Spatial Information Systems effective from 1 July 2001 (Council resolution CL001/50c). At its meeting on 26 June 2012, the Academic Board resolved (resolution AB12/25) that it be recommended that the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board approve the proposal to change the name of the school to the School of Surveying & Geospatial Engineering. This was approved effective 1 July 2012. At the 7 May 2013 Academic Board meeting it was recommended that the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board approve the integration of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Surveying and Geospatial Engineering, and, as a concomitant action, the disestablishment of the School of Surveying and Geospatial Engineering, the ongoing School to continue to be named the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, effective 2 July 2013 (resolution AB13/17). This was approved on 24 May 2013 (file 2011/06825-017). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 11/05/1970-02/07/2013
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    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 of Transport and Highways in the Faculty of Engineering, effective from 25 July 1977. Professor W. R. Blunden was appointed as Head of the new School. (BRF - Blunden; CN956/3 File: 5601071E) During 1979 discussions took place between the Schools of Civil Engineering and Transport and Highways concerning the proposed amalgamation of the two schools to form an enlarged School of Civil Engineering. An agreement between Professor Blunden, Head of the School of Transport and Highways, and Professor I K Lee, Head of the School of Civil Engineering, setting out the conditions for the amalgamation was signed by both parties on 19 February 1980. At its meeting on 10 March 1980 Council resolved (resolution 80/51) that the amalgamation between the two schools should proceed, effective from 1 July 1980. This necessitated the formation of a new department within the School of Civil Engineering, to be known as the Department of Transport Engineering. The School of Transport and Highways therefore ceased to exist from this time. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 25/07/1977-30/06/1980
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    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
  • Start date
    Type
    Archives Series
    Description
    This series consists of the annual reports of the School of Civil Engineering / Civil & Environmental Engineering. Each item is a typed, paper-bound volume on the happenings within the school throughout the year. The Archives' holdings of this series are incomplete.
  • Start date
    Type
    Archives Series
    Description
    This series consists of the booklet leaflet collection of the Department / School of Civil Engineering / Civil & Environmental Engineering. The material is typed and maintained in a manilla folder and includes booklets, leaflets, guides and other material as released by the school, including program information.
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    On 24 March 1971 the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee approved the creation of a Department of Civil Engineering Materials within the School of Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering. Professor I. K. Lee was appointed as its first head of department. On 22 June 1988 the Vice-Chancellor approved a change in name of the department to the Department of Geotechnical Engineering (file 00840414). In mid-1998 all departments within the School of Civil Engineering were disestablished. The Department of Geotechnical Engineering thus ceased to exist from this time (file 970913). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 24/03/1971-c. 30/06/1998
  • Start date
    End date
    Type
    Agencies Series
    Description
    On 12 September 1973 the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee approved the creation of a Department of Engineering Construction within the School of Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering on the arrival of Professor Woodhead. Professor R. Woodhead commenced on duty on 8 October 1973 and so the Department of Engineering Construction came into being, with Professor R. Woodhead at its head. Shortly afterwards, however, at the 7 November 1973 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee, the name of the department was altered to the Department of Engineering Construction and Management. In mid-1998 all departments within the School of Civil Engineering were disestablished. The Department of Engineering Construction and Management thus ceased to exist from this time (file 970913). Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 08/10/1973-c. 30/06/1998