Type Training Unit | ||
 | ||
Active 1 February 1952 – Present Role Training Army Reserve Officers and Soldiers | ||
The University of New South Wales Regiment (UNSWR) is an Officer training unit of the Australian Army Reserve under the command of the 8th Brigade.
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Unit History
The University of New South Wales Regiment was founded as the New South Wales University of Technology Regiment in 1952, while Army Headquarters' approval to form the unit had been granted in July 1951. The new university and regiment were sensitive at the time to the standing it had in relation to the historic traditions of Sydney University and thus the regiment was founded along the lines of the Sydney University Regiment. While the first regimental headquarters were based in Mews Street, Ultimo from 1952, in 1954 the Vice-Chancellor of the university Philip Baxter, who had strongly supported the regiment's creation, provided it with a base on campus on High Street.
The regiment was renamed the University of New South Wales Regiment (UNSWR) when the University changed its name in 1958. In 1959, the Regiment moved to a new specially-built site on Day Avenue on campus. The initial structure of UNSWR reflected an infantry battalion. The regiment affiliated with the university to attract candidates, who having served as Privates, Lance Corporals, Corporals and Sergeants could be subsequently commissioned in the Army Reserve.
UNSWR became allied to a British Army Regiment in 1964, through amalgamations this affiliation is now with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (Queen’s and Royal Hampshires). On 18 November 1977 UNSWR affiliated with the Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment, a Territorial Force unit based on the South Island for soldiers serving part-time in the New Zealand Army.
In 1991, the structure changed to a training unit with the introduction of dedicated Officer commissioning training. This ultimately became the First Appointment Course. In 2008, UNSWR transferred to under command of 8th Brigade and commenced delivery of soldier training for 8th Brigade. In 2011, the commitment to the First Appointment Course was reduced and UNSWR commenced delivery of training also to the soldiers of 5th Brigade.
Regimental Colours
The Regiment was first presented with Colours on 27 October 1963 on the UNSW Oval at Kensington by the Governor of New South Wales, Lieutenant General Sir Eric Woodward. New Colours were presented at a Regimental Colours Parade on 22 August 1998 at Victoria Barracks, Paddington by the Governor General of Australia, Sir William Deane. When UNSW declined to house the old Regimental colours on campus, the regiment gained permission to retire them in St Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Church, Kensington.
Commanding Officers
The following officers served as commanders of the regiment:
Honorary Colonels
The following officers served as Honorary Colonel of the regiment: