Timeline: A History of Achievement
Key moments and key personalities that have shaped a legendary institution
In 2011 TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute celebrated its 120 year anniversary and its leading role in the development of vocational education and training in Australia. In 1891 Sydney Institute opened its first permanent teaching facility in Ultimo, with 20 teaching departments including Sheep and Wool Training, Engineering, Domestic Cookery and Printing. Originally called Sydney Technical College (STC), the organisation has a rich history, being the first site for several of Sydney’s leading education institutions including Sydney Boys’ High School, Sydney Technical High School, UTS and UNSW. The Powerhouse Museum’s origins can also be traced back to NSW’s first Technological Museum built in 1893 at Sydney Institute.
On these pages you can read about Sydney Institute’s rich history over the past 120 years.
If you would like more information please contact us by email on SydneyTAFE.120years@tafensw.edu.au or you can contact our history unit on SIhistory@tafensw.edu.au
120 years. stories. futures
In 2011 we showcased our role in all areas of NSW’s economic development. From Finance to Nursing, Mechanical Engineering to Hairdressing, Sydney Institute has offered thousands of courses over the last 120 years to meet the needs of industry.
A Proud Past – A Dynamic Future
Sydney Institute has provided training to the people and industries of Sydney for more than 120 years. Its evolution as an important provider of vocational education and training can be traced to 1833 with the foundation of the privately run Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts which offered lectures in non-vocational subjects including philosophy, languages, art and the natural sciences.
Sydney Technical College is Born
The importance of technical education was recognised by working men’s associations, industrial groups and a number of influential citizens including William Charles Windeyer, Richard Teece, Alexander Kethel, James Dalgarno, Frederick Bridges, Norman Selfe and Edward Dowling who was vice-president of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts.
Ultimo College History: A Growing Student Population
In 1881, the College offered over 50 courses and had a student population of over 1000 fee paying students. It relied on government grants to help cover its administration costs.
New Buildings, New Courses
Classes began at Sydney Technical College in the few completed buildings at the Harris Street, Ultimo site in 1891 while construction work was still in progress.
New Colleges
A number of branch trade schools and teaching centres were established in various parts of New South Wales in response to local demand for technical instruction.
St George College History
After the Illawarra Railway line opened in 1882, Kogarah gradually became a dormitory suburb to the adjacent industrial areas of southern Sydney.
Clubs and Societies
In the early twentieth century, Sydney Technical College played an important role in training chemical engineers and skilled workers in the chemical trades in Australia.
Training Returned Service Personnel
Sydney Technical College played a major role in the training of returned service personnel through the Repatriation Vocational Training Scheme after WWI.
For more information about our range of courses
please call 1300 360 601 or check out our website for more details.
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