Key 78: Student Services, Counselling and Welfare, Appointments Board

 

In the years of growth after the war, the influence of the relatively new discipline of Psychology and increased concern with academic progress had practical consequences for the welfare of the student body which, under the leadership of the Students’ Representative Council, began to agitate successfully for services ranging from a housing officer (1947), access to financial aid, to the development of a full health service (1961), child-care facilities (1973) and a dental service (1979). A professional student counselling service was established in 1953 under R.R.(Bob) Priestley five years after the SRC began sustained agitation.

Counsellor Jim Mitchell (standing)
Counsellor Jim Mitchell (standing)
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 16218]

From the 1960s the Faculty offices were also drawn into the role of student counselling and welfare while the University Teaching Project (1961) and Centre for the Study of Higher Education (1968) addressed the issue of improved teaching methods and curriculum.

As early as 1913-14 the University had established an Appointments Board to coordinate employment opportunities for graduates, though it became inactive for some years until the appointment in 1928 of a secretary, at first honorary but salaried from 1935, and held for many years from 1941 by H.F. (Frank) Downes. The service continued until 1994.

Counselling Service staff
Counselling Service staff
[Source: University of Melbourne Archives Media Photograph Collection, Photograph No 18206(B6)]