UNSWR REGIMENTAL HISTORY ........................

The origins of the University of New South Wales Regiment (UNSWR) lie in a request from the University of Technology. This establishment was founded in 1948 and was sensitive, since its inception, to the stigma it had in relation to the long founded historic traditions of Sydney University. The University of Technology staff saw the Sydney University Regiment (SUR) as an attractive adjunct to that university and believed a similar unit would be beneficial and prestigious for the University of Technology. With the reintroduction of National Service during the Korean War came deferment problems for university students. This environment led to the formation of UNSWR at Kensington.

Army Headquarters approval to form the unit was granted in July 1951. By February 1952 the Regimental Headquarters was operating from Harris Street, Ultimo.

In 1959, the University's name was changed to the University of New South Wales and subsequently the UTR became the University of New South Wales Regiment. The use of the word 'University' at the start of the title UNSWR was unique at the time and was requested by the University.

For most of its history, UNSWR has had two main roles: to commission officers for service in the ARES, and to provide military training for University students.

In 1989, the role of UNSWR was changed to one of producing officers for the General Reserve (GRES) and in 1991 (as part of the University Regiment Review) the establishment was changed to reflect that role.

The University of Newcastle Company

In April 1955, the Unit expanded with the formation of 'D' Company, as a detached Company in Newcastle, to cater for students attending Newcastle College of the NSW University of Technology. The raising of the Company was completed in November 1955, with the Company Headquarter located at the Newcastle University College, Tighes Hill. In 1960 it moved to King St, Newcastle.

The name of the Company was changed to the University of Newcastle (UN) Company (UNSWR) in 1965. The Coy remained at this depot till Feb 95 and then moved to a Multi User Depot (MUD) at Adamstown where it is co-located with several other reserve units.

The University of Wollongong Company

As the University of NSW fostered a University College at Wollongong, it was natural that the Regiment should seek to establish a Company at the University College. On 11 May 1967, permission was granted to recruit up to 25 personnel in the Wollongong area as the nucleus of a Wollongong Company.

The Company moved to the Port Kembla Depot of 4 RNSWR in 1976 and became known as the University of Wollongong Company. The Company moved early in 1996 from Port Kembla to a Multi User Depot with B Coy 4/3 RNSWR at Gipps St, Wollongong. This movement has benefited the Coy as it is now co-located with the University of Wollongong.

The New England University Company

A recent addition in Armidale NSW formerly belonging to SUR was handed over to UNSWR in August 2001.