Western Sydney University Archives

Western Sydney University Archives

• University

Western Sydney University (then known as the University of Western Sydney (UWS)) began operation in January 1989, under the terms of the University of Western Sydney Act 1988 (NSW).

The Act created a federated network university, based on two existing Colleges of Advanced Education - Hawkesbury Agricultural College of Advanced Education and Nepean College of Advanced Education. The Colleges were renamed the 'University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury' (UWS Hawkesbury) and the 'University of Western Sydney, Nepean' (UWS Nepean).

The Macarthur Institute of Higher Education became the third University member in November 1989 and was renamed the 'University of Western Sydney, Macarthur' (UWS Macarthur).

As a result of legislative change, the University of Western Sydney operated as a single multi-campus university rather than as a federation from January 2001. The six campuses are in Bankstown, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith.

From July 2016 the University of Western Sydney became Western Sydney University.

(For more information, see https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/rams/archives/uws_history)

The management of the University Archives Collection is governed by the University’s Records and Archives Management Policy, and the New South Wales State Archives and Records Authority through the requirements specified in the State Records Act 1998 (NSW). Under this Act there are stringent standards that must be met in the storage, management and handling of 'State archives’.

Our goal is to capture, preserve, manage and make available a documentary heritage resource of the Western Sydney University, its predecessors, local communities and those people and organisations with which it has had a close association.

The University Archives, in compliance with the State Records Act 1998 (NSW), is the official repository for inactive University records having long-term administrative, legal, scientific, research or historical value. The archives may also include professional and personal records/manuscripts of members of the University staff, student organisations and the community, donated to the University for preservation and use.

The University Archives is responsible for:

• repository management of archival records
• appraisal of University records
• management of an archival records electronic control system
• maintaining access provisions to support efficient business operations and to ensure accountability
• preventative conservation.

The Archives' holdings include those records required to be kept under the State Records Act 1998 (NSW) as State Archives, and those records that have historical value to the University and surrounding community.

They include:

• records of the university governing bodies, such as, the Board of Trustees, Academic Senate, University Management Advisory Committee (UMAC), College Boards of Studies and other significant committees
• records of predecessor institutions - Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Hawkesbury Agricultural College of Advanced Education, Nepean College of Advanced Education, Milperra College of Advanced Education, and Macarthur Institute of Higher Education
• official University publications - calendars, annual reports, handbooks, staff and student newsletters, journals and reports
• administrative files
• personal papers of senior staff and other members of the university
• photographs, maps, and plans
• film, video and sound recordings
• records deposited by outside groups - the Community Arts Workshop, Friends of the Library, Diamond Hill Papers of the Kurrajong Hills Committee, and private donations from former students and/or their relatives.
  Sections of the University Archives are now available online to the public. Material that can be accessed includes, the College Journal, student cards, unit/course documents, images, films, and online exhibitions. Open Archives is an ongoing project, visit often to see the latest additions (see http://openarchives.westernsydney.edu.au/).

Open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm by appointment.

Revised 19 April 2018

• Agriculture (Thematic area)
• Education (Thematic area)
• Genealogical (Thematic area)