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.

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    On 8 July 1957 Council appointed Professor Morven Brown as Professor of Sociology and head of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (resolution 57/69). Although Professor Brown took up duties on 1 February 1958, sociology did not become a discipline at the university until 1960. This occurred when, at the 9th November, 1959 meeting of Council, the Faculty of Arts was created, to be effective from 1st January, 1960 (resolution 59/204ii) and Sociology became one of the foundation schools within this new faculty, with Professor Morven Brown at its head. On 10th December, 1990 Council changed the name of the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (resolution CL90/108ii). On 25 August 2003 the school was re-named the School of Sociology & Anthropology (Council resolution CL03/74). As part of a Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences restructure, the School of Sociology & Anthropology was disestablished effective 31 January 2007. It was amalgamated with the schools of Social Work, Politics & International Relations and Social Science & Policy to form the new School of Social Sciences & International Studies (6 February 2007 Academic Board papers). Subordinate agency: Department of Sociology, Culture & Communication - 03/08/1995 - 30/06/1998 Subordinate agency: Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology - 03/08/1995 - 30/06/1998 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/01/1960-31/01/2007
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    The establishment of the Building Research Centre was approved by the Vice-Chancellor on 5 December 1984. The initial Director of the Centre was Professor A. R. Toakley and the Centre was located within the School of Building in the Faculty of Architecture. The main aim of the Centre was to co-ordinate and develop teaching and research in the multi-disciplinary area of the building process (file 00370312). In Unisearch's Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 1990, it was noted that the Building Research Centre would become a Division of Unisearch effective from April 1990 (V505). On 29 July 1998 Richard Sharp of Unisearch wrote to the Dean of the Faculty of the Built Environment outlining the arrangements whereby the Building Research Centre would be transferred back to the faculty effective from 1 August 1998 (file 970718). On 9 November 1998 Council approved the termination of the Building Research Centre Trust with the transfer of all funds to the UNSW Foundation (resolution CL98/81). On 6 October 1998 the Academic Board recommended to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) that the Australian Centre for Construction Innovation (ACCI) be established in the Faculties of the Built Environment and Engineering (resolution AB98/116). This was approved by the Vice-Chancellor on 2 February 1999. The Centre was to build upon the achievements of the Building Research Centre, which [was] subsumed into the new structure (file 981602). The Building Research Centre as a separate entity thus ceased to exist from this date. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 05/12/1984-02/02/1999
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    On 10 May 1976 Council approved in principle the establishment of a Social Welfare Research Centre (resolution 76/73). The initial functions of the Centre were outlined as: - to undertake and sponsor research work on important aspects of social welfare in Australia - to provide opportunities for postgraduate study of social welfare - to arrange services and conferences to foster understanding of and to elucidate issues in the field of social welfare and - to arrange for the publication of results of research and studies carried out in or under the aegis of the centre (file 370599 - 99A107/36). On 8 May 1978 Council affirmed its approval of the establishment of the Centre (resolution 78/72). On 15 January 1980 the Centre was formally launched, with Dr Adam Graycar, who had taken up his position on 1 January, in place as the founding Director (SRF - Social Welfare Research Centre). During 1989 a review of the Centre was conducted. As a result of the review, the Centre was re-named the Social Policy Research Centre effective from 1 January 1990 (Council resolution CL89/76, V199). Initially the Centre existed outside the faculty structure, but on 5 August 2003 the Academic Board endorsed the proposal that the Centre would be located within the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences from that date (resolution AB03/34). In 2007 the director of the Social Policy Research Centre was Professor Ilan Katz. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - c. 10/05/1976-
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    On 12 July 1954 Council in principle approved the formation of the Faculty of Commerce and at the same time resolved to establish a foundation chair in accountancy (resolution 431iii). On 11 July 1955 (resolution 599) Council accepted the appointment of E. B. Smyth to this chair and when he took up his position on 29 August 1955, the School of Accountancy was formed with Professor Smyth as the first head of school. The establishment of the Faculty of Commerce was officially approved at the 11th March 1957 meeting of Council (resolution 57/37), with Accounting as one of the faculty's first three schools. As a result of a review of the Faculty of Commerce, on 11 July 1988 Council altered the faculty's name to the Faculty of Commerce & Economics effective 1 August 1988 (resolution 88/90). At the same time all departments within the School of Accountancy were made either schools in their own right or independent departments. This included the Department of Accounting - and as a result of it becoming a school, it effectively replaced the School of Accountancy from this date. In 2006 the School of Accounting was headed by Professor Wai Fong Chua. As a result of the disestablishment of the Faculty of Commerce & Economics, the school became part of the Faculty of Business from 23 November 2006. On 18 June 2007 Council noted the renaming of the Faculty of Business to the Australian School of Business at UNSW, as approved by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board (CL07/33). On 2 July 2014 the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee approved a change in name of the faculty to the UNSW Australia Business School, effective from 23 July 2014. Subordinate agency: Department of Finance - 13/09/1971 - 31/07/1988 Subordinate agency: Australian Centre for Management Accounting Development (ACMAD) - 07/12/1990 - 31/12/2002 Subordinate agency: Department of Legal Studies and Taxation - 01/03/1973 - 31/07/1988 Subordinate agency: Actuarial Studies Unit - 01/01/2002 - 23/11/2006 Subordinate agency: Department of Information Systems - 01/01/1977 - 31/07/1988 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - c. 29/08/1955-
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    The establishment of the Centre for Applied Economic Research (CAER) within the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Commerce was initially supported at the 31 March 1976 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee. The Centre was formally approved by the vice-chancellor on 7 June 1976. The first director of the Centre was Professor John Nevile. The main aim of the Centre was to encourage applied economics research in the university and to sponsor specific applied economic research projects (file 030903). As a result of a review of the Faculty of Commerce, on 11 July 1988 Council altered the faculty's name to the Faculty of Commerce & Economics effective 1 August 1988 (resolution 88/90). At the same time the Centre appears to have become a part of the larger School of Economics rather than the department (1989 Calendar, file 030903). On 3 July 2006 Council approved the disestablishment of the Faculty of Commerce of Economics and the Australian Graduate School of Management to form the Faculty of Business (resolution CL06/68), with the inaugural meeting of the faculty taking place on 23 November 2006. The Centre, along with the School of Economics, thus became a part of this new faculty. On 18 June 2007 Council noted the renaming of the Faculty of Business as the Australian School of Business at UNSW, as approved by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board (CL07/33). In 2008 the director of the Centre for Applied Economic Research was Professor Kevin Fox. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 07/06/1976-
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    The International, Professional & Continuing Education (IPACE) Institute was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the Educational Services Unit of Unisearch and the Continuing Education Support Unit (file 892386, Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 21 June 1989) effective from 1 July 1989. It operated as a division of Unisearch Ltd and was initially headed by Director Robert Moorcroft. The Professional & Continuing Education Activities report for 1989 noted that The role of IPACE is to enhance the University's capacity to meet the professional development and training needs of industry, commerce, government and the professions by means of a very flexible, client-oriented approach The institute was comprised of six divisions: attended courses, conferences, instructional design and open learning, international programs, Study Abroad and administration. By the 25 February 1993 meeting of the Unisearch Board, the institute had changed its name to the Institute of Professional Education. It did, however, retain the acronym IPACE. In early 1997, the areas of IPACE focussing on Multimedia, International Programs and Study Abroad became independent units, while the professional education section continued as Unisearch Professional Education (UPE) (Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee, 24 September 1997). At the 6 July 1998 meeting of Council it was resolved that UPE should be incorporated into the Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) within the university (CL98/47b). As a result all UPE staff were moved into the interim Education Development Group with effect from 16 October 1998 (file 990446) and the UPE ceased to exist. Subordinate agency: Study Abroad - 01/07/1989 - 01/01/1997 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 01/07/1989-15/10/1998
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    The proposal for an Aboriginal Law Research Unit within the Faculty of Law was initially discussed at the 4 February 1981 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee. Final approval for the establishment of the Unit was given by the Vice-Chancellor on 23 April 1981. The first Chair of the Unit's steering committee was Professor Garth Nettheim (file 034796). The initial functions of the Unit included conducting and fostering research concerning Aboriginal people and the law; the building of a resource base on such issues; publications; clearing-house and co-ordination activity; conference and seminar activity; the development of educational programs; 'back-up' support on legal issues to Aboriginal communities and organisations and their legal advisers; developing links with comparable bodies in other countries (S690). At the 12 February 1986 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee, the creation of an Aboriginal Law Centre was approved to take over the role of the Aboriginal Law Research Unit. Professor Garth Nettheim was appointed Director of the Centre. The Centre's aims were defined as a continuation of the Unit, focused within the following objectives: research; resources; publication; conferences & seminars; and teaching. It would be managed by the Director, who is responsible to the Dean of the Faculty of Law [034796]. The "resources" objective was removed following the 10 May 1997 meeting of the Centre's Advisory Committee, due to the development of the more appropriate Aboriginal Research and Resource Centre. The ARRC became the recipient of the Aboriginal Law Centre's resource collection once this objective was deleted. Professor Nettheim was also Chair of the Management Committee. At the 28 February 1991 meeting of the Management Committee, Professor Nettheim suggested that this body be renamed as an Advisory Council. It would meet less often, with a more strategic focus, and another Management Committee would be formed with a smaller membership that dealt with operations. This proposed structure was finalised in July and implemented in 1992. Also at the 28 February 1991 meeting, Professor Nettheim proposed to step down from his role as Director. John Halden "Hal" Wootten QC was appointed as a replacement from 1 August 1991, for a term of three years, but he only appears in the following year's Annual Report in this role. Wootten continued on the Management Committee, although no longer holding a position or office within the Committee. Nettheim resumed as Director. On 17 May 1995, Nettheim announced he not be able to continue in the role after 1995, due to the position expanding to the extent that a full-time Director was needed and the role was, at that point, unfunded [S2410]. George Villaflor stepped into the role for the last half of 1995 (and subsequently produced a Report on the Centre with recommendations in June 1996) but the minutes of the Faculty of Law 21 August 1996 note that Nettheim has again resumed the Director position. Peter Brock began as Co-ordinator of the Centre in January 1997. Nettheim continued as Director, but appears to have delegated management of operations to the newly created part time Co-ordinator role. Brock wrote to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Fell on 8 May 1997 to seek approval for an expanded membership of the Advisory Committee of the Centre, greatly increasing representation across the law and Indigenous communities. This was in light of the recommendations in the "Centre Review Report" conducted by UNSW in November 1996 [034796]. The Management Committee agreed at the 19 February 1997 meeting to change the name of the Centre to the more inclusive "Indigenous Law Centre". The Advisory Committee approved the change at the 10 May 1997 meeting, and on 4 November 1997 the Academic Board gave its endorsement (resolution AB97/142). This was approved by the Vice-Chancellor on 11 November 1997. The Aboriginal Law Bulletin [S852] was produced by the Centre since its inception, with the first issue appearing in August 1981. The name was changed to the Indigenous Law Bulletin (in line with the Centre's name change) for the April 1997 issue. Aboriginal Law Notes was a newsletter produced by the Centre from July 1982 to October 1990. The Management Committee considered changing the Law Notes to a insert for the Law Bulletin prior to its final issue [20 September 1990]. The first issue of the Australian Indigenous Law Reporter was launched in November 1995, funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, and International Business Communications Pty Ltd (subsequently Prospect Media Pty Ltd). An Editoral Panel was convened for this project, and some staff worked in common across the quarterly Reporter and the more frequent Bulletin. During the 1990s, the Centre produced community education kits related to the landmark moment in Indigenous law, native title, following the High Court decisions in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992) and Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996). A Community Education sub-committee was established in 1994, initially comprised of Garth Nettheim, Susan Varga and Jason Behrendt [S2410]. It is unclear how long he held the position, but Mick Dodson was Director for at least two years, from 1998 to 2000. Megan Davis was Director from 2006 to 2016. As of 2018, Dr Kyllie Cripps was Acting Director and Dr Leon Terrill was Research Director, The Steering Committee provided guidance to the directors. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 23/04/1981-
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    The position of the bursar was approved through Resolution 405 (Council Meeting, 29 March 1954). Mr J O A Bourke was appointed bursar of the university commencing duties on 6 April 1954 (UNSW: A portrait: 30). Before joining the University, Mr Bourke had been associated with the staffing arrangements for the university in his capacity as an inspector of the Public Service Board and as an assistant director of Technical Education (The University of New South Wales - Its History and Progress: 26). The Division of the Bursar was established through Resolution 427 (Council Meeting, 10 May 1954) under Section 27 of the Technical Education and New South Wales University of Technology Act, 1949 (Act No. 11, 1949). The division was responsible for the administration of personnel and finance matters. The work of the division was originally undertaken by Mr Bourke and 10 clerical officers. By 1961 in the publication entitled The University of New South Wales defined the work of the division. The Bursar, with a Deputy Bursar and Accountant, is responsible for providing the administrative services relating to finance, personnel, development and maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds. These duties are carried out by an Accounts Branch and by sections entitled Appointments; Personnel; Building Planning and Development; Buildings and Grounds (Maintenance); Property; Purchasing and Records. (The University of New South Wales: 11) On 13 July 1970 through Council Resolution 70/94 (Council Meeting, 13 July 1970) the appointment of the then bursar, E H Davis, was changed to Assistant Principal and Bursar and the division became known as the Division of the Assistant Principal and Bursar with its functions continuing to cover financial and personnel matters of the university. In 1984 the central administration of the university was reorganised into two divisions - Administration and Planning and Information - with a reorganisation of functions that had once been undertaken by the divisions of the registrar and the bursar. The Deputy Principal (Planning and Information) headed a division which contained the Computing Services Department, the Financial Services Department and the Planning Services Department. While the financial function once administered by the Division of the Bursar were retained within Division of Deputy Principal (Planning and Information), the personnel function now was overseen by the Deputy Principal (Administration). (UNSW Annual Report 1985: 9, 70-1) In September 1990 the central administration of the university was reorganised again resulting in the Division of the Bursar and Deputy Principal which assumed most of the functions previously undertaken by the Division of Deputy Principal (Planning and Information). The Staff Office and the Senior Appointments Unit became the responsibility of the renamed division which also encompassed the Financial Services Department and the Computing Services Department. (UNSW Annual Report 1990: 188-192) In September 1991 the Staff Office and the Senior Appointments Unit were transferred to the Division of the Registrar and Deputy Principal. (UNSW Annual Report 1991: 189) During 1992 the Division assumed responsibility for field stations, the Audio Visual Unit, and the Educational Testing Centre. (UNSW Annual Report 1992: 183) In 1995 as part of the administrative restructure resulting from the Chancellery Plan 1995 - 2000 review process the Division of the Bursar and Deputy Principal was abolished and most of its functions transferred to the Division of the Executive Director Business and Finance which was led by Chris Lidbury (Planning Committee of Council, 3 May 1995). Subordinate agency: Record Attendant (1954 - 1957) / Records Section (1957 - 1967) / Registry (1967 - 1987) / Records Administration Section (1987 - ) - 10/05/1954 - 31/12/1984 Subordinate agency: Personnel Section (1954-1983) / Staff Office (1984-1991) / Personnel Services Department (1992) / Human Resources (1993- ) - 10/06/1954 - 12/03/1984 Subordinate agency: Personnel Section (1954-1983) / Staff Office (1984-1991) / Personnel Services Department (1992) / Human Resources (1993- ) - 01/09/1990 - 31/12/1992 Subordinate agency: Computing Services Department - 01/04/1985 - 31/05/1994 Subordinate agency: Property Department (1958 - 1970) / Property Division (1970 - 1984) / Property Department (1984 - 1990) / Property & Works Department (1990 - 1994) / Facilities Department (1994 - 2003) / Facilities Management (2003 - 2006) / Facilities & Property (2006 - - 12/05/1958 - 12/03/1984 Subordinate agency: Test Scoring Service (1964 - 1967) / Educational Testing Centre (1967 - 2004) / Educational Assessment Australia (2004 - ) - 06/07/1992 - 28/04/1995 Subordinate agency: Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Unit (1962 - 1982) / Audio Visual Unit (1982 - 1998) / Media & Educational Technology Support Unit (METS) (1998 - 2000) - 06/07/1992 - 31/05/1994 Subordinate agency: Statistics Section (1960 - 1985) / Planning Services Department (1985 - 1990) / Planning Services Office (1990 - 1997) / Planning Office (1997 - 2004) / Institutional Analysis & Reporting Office (2004 - ) - 01/07/1985 - 31/08/1990 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 29/03/1954-28/04/1995