Faculty history

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney has a long heritage of working hand-in-hand with the health sector and professional associations to lead the way in education and research programs in allied health.

Beginnings

In 1970, a report of the then New South Wales Advanced Education Board recommended that a corporate College of Advanced Education be established specifically to:

• foster the development of paramedical education in New South Wales having regard to the needs of the community;
• provide courses and to grant awards to students reaching the standards set by the College;
• encourage effective teaching and provide opportunities for the professional development of the teaching staff; and
• provide and maintain physical facilities for this teaching and research.

Commencement of operations

On 1 July 1973, the College formally commenced operation when its establishment was gazetted by the State Government. Incorporation within the Higher Education Act was constituted on and from 1 October 1974.

The College assumed the responsibility for three-year full-time courses in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy and a two-year full-time course in orthoptics. Post-registration nursing courses previously conducted by the NSW College of Nursing were included from 1975.

Right: Cumberland College of Health Sciences Official Opening Ceremony, 1979

The College was initially named ‘New South Wales College of Paramedical Studies’ however, early in 1974, the Interim Council recommended that the name be changed. When the Colleges of Advanced Education Act was passed in 1975, the name was changed to ‘Cumberland College of Health Sciences’.

Cumberland College of Health Sciences

From its earliest days, under the direction of Founding Principal, Dr Jeffery Miller AO, the Cumberland College aimed for excellence and adopted a leadership role. The College pioneered the development of basic nursing studies in an academic setting and it convened the first National Health Sciences Education Conference.

Right: Exercise and sport sciences demonstration at Open Day in 1980s

After the beginning years of operation in five inner city campuses with rented premises, a site at East Street, Lidcombe was ready for occupancy from 1st July, 1978. It was on 26 October 1979, that His Excellency Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG KStJ QC, the then Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, officially opened the College.

From 1979 the College grew rapidly with course development and course reviews enhancing the College’s academic profile. The first Master’s degrees were awarded, and additional specialty courses in Diversional Therapy, Medical Radiation Technology and Community Health began during the 1980s.

In 1984, the College commenced teaching the Aboriginal Health and Community Development course, and in 1985, it introduced the first interdisciplinary graduate diploma program.

In many respects the attainment of institutional accreditation status at the end of 1986 was the culmination of the College’s first decade of endeavour for academic excellence. This is now recognised internationally.

The fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the College was commemorated by hosting an International Conference on Health Sciences Education.

Established as the Faculty of Health Sciences

In 1989, State government legislation, in response to the Federal Government’s introduction of a Unified National System of Higher Education, dissolved the corporate college and re-established it as an Academic College of The University of Sydney with effect from 1 January 1990.

Right:E Block under construction

On 28 October 1991, the academic activities and staff of the College were established as the Faculty of Health Sciences in The University of Sydney, with the associated appointment of the founding Dean, Professor Judith Kinnear.

The involvement in PhD programs from 1990 is a highlight of the amalgamation with The University of Sydney.

As from 1 January 1994, the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences was integrated into the University’s Faculty of Nursing.

More information about the Faculty today.