Oral Histories

An archive of oral histories from ROCA alumni

The Oral History Project began in 2013 as an idea generated in the Roseworthy Archive group who were part of the University of Adelaide volunteer cohort.

While the Archive group dealt with mainly sorting, collecting and digitizing of the vast amount of Roseworthy material the University collection held there was a gap dealing with the daily life of a student.

A number of old Collegians were interviewed and recorded with the help of the State Library equipment. The interviews spanned a period of almost 100 years, beginning in the 1920s, drawing on recollections and opinions of old Collegians and staff members. The recordings have now been transcribed to assist those interested in following the stories in more detail:

1914 Jack Daley

1928 Cliff Hooper

1942 Frank Hilton

1946 Brian Condon OAM

1947 Hon Dr Bruce Eastick AM

1948 Rex Krause

1967 Ian Pickett

1968 Hon John Dawkins AO

1970 Graham Brookman

1972 Alistair (Bardy) McFarlane

1977 Christel Schrank, Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon), Ruth Robinson (first female students)

1980s Derek Mitchell

1996 Mark Rodda

2011 David Purdie

2017 Dr Frances Collett

These interviews paint a picture of the daily life of the resident students and staff. Despite the passage of time there were many similarities in the academic demands, practical work and life as a resident at Roseworthy Agriculture College. Very evident in all participants was their strong interest in Agriculture.

The book ‘A Century of Service’ edited by Jeff Daniels also contains a number of part transcripts of old Collegians interviewed at the time of the Centenary celebrations of the College in 1983.

Thank you to David Spencer (RDA, RDAT, DipT(Sec), MSocSc) for his efforts in recording, editing and transcribing these interviews

Interview with Dr Frances Collett [DVM 2017]

Dr. Frances Elizabeth Collett, who completed a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, graduated in 2017

Interview with David Purdie – Roseworthy Residential College Head 2011 onward

David John Purdie, Manager of the Adelaide University Roseworthy College’s residential section, has been involved with the University for 28 years, transitioning from a finance background to his current role in 2011.

Interview with Mark Rodda [B.Ag.Bus. 1996]

This interview with Mark Rodda chronicles his experiences at Roseworthy Agricultural College (1993–1995), where he studied the inaugural Agricultural Business degree. He was originally from a family farm on Yorke Peninsula.

Interview with Derek Mitchell [PASRAC Aboriginal Unit 1980s]

An oral history interview with Derek Mitchell details the creation and impact of PASRAC, a pre-entry program at Roseworthy Agricultural College in the mid-1980s that supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into agriculture and natural resources study.

Interview with Christel Schrank, Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon) and Ruth Robinson [all RDA 1977]

2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the first female RDA students graduation in 1977. These students began their studies in 1974, a significant event given that the Roseworthy Agricultural College had been a male only student institution since its establishment in 1883. This interview is with three of those first female RDA Graduates: Ruth Robinson, Christel Schrank and Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon).

Interview with Alistair (Bardy) McFarlane [RDA 1972]

Alistair Gordon McFarlane (RDA 1972), also known as Bardy, discussed his educational journey at Roseworthy Agriculture College, recounting his initial challenges and the lively experiences that shaped his student life.

Interview with Graham Brookman [RDA 1970]

Graham Brookman graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College with an RDA in 1970. ‘Brooky’ was a very active and energetic student leader who chaired the Student Representative Council in 1969. Under his leadership the Roseworthy Open Day went from a low-key event to a significant day in the life of the College, attracting 5000 visitors.

Interview with Hon John Dawkins AO [RDA 1968]

John Dawkins AO graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia in 1968 with a Roseworthy Diploma of Agriculture (RDA). From his early days in tertiary study, John was attracted to leadership, committee work and he was President of the Student Representative Council in 1967.

Interview with Ian Pickett [RDA 1967, RDAT 1972]

DATE 2018 FILES Ian Pickett Interview .MP3 Abstract

Interview with Hon Dr Bruce Eastick AM [RDA 1947]

Bruce Eastick AM graduated from Roseworthy College in 1947 with First Class Honours. He was awarded the Albert Molineaux Prize, Morphett Prize and many others. Bruce pioneered rural veterinary practice in Gawler as its first self-employed veterinarian and became State President of the Australian Veterinary Association in 1961 and Federal President in 1966.

Interview with Brian Condon OAM [RDA 1946]

Brian Condon graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1946 with a RDA (Roseworthy Diploma of Agriculture). This study was essentially to embellish the Condon family business that included a Dairy Factory in the Mid North of South Australia at that time. Brian remained with the family business throughout his life as it diversified, especially into soft drinks.

Interview with Rex Krause [RDA 1944]

An Interview with Rex Krause was recorded in November 2015, 71 years after graduating with the Gold medal from the Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1944. Rex went on to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide Waite Campus, and soon after joined the staff at Roseworthy and began his notable career as a Plant Breeder in the 1950's.

Interview with Frank Hilton [RDA 1942]

Frank Hilton was a student at Roseworthy Agricultural College from 1939-1941, graduating in 1942 with the Gold Medal for his Roseworthy Diploma of Agriculture (RDA). During his time at the College Frank won the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for his academic achievements. Frank recalls many details of the day-to-day life of a student at the College in the early 1940s, from the practical, hands-on work of tending the animals and crops to the structure and content of lectures and exams.

Interview with Clifford Hooper – Lecturer (and Sportsmaster) [RDA 1928]

Cliff Hooper began his association with Roseworthy Agricultural College as a student, graduating with a First Class Diploma in 1928. Two years later he began working at the College, first as a Wool Classer and then as a Herd Tester before joining the Army in 1940. He returned to the College in 1950, taking on the role of Sheep and Beef Husbandry Lecturer.

Interview with Jack Daley – Farm Hand [1914]

Jack Daley began working as a farm hand at Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1914, continuing through both World Wars and the Great Depression. Jack worked with the horses and stables most of the time, but also milked cows by hand, prepared land for planting, helped build infrastructure (such as the silos) and did anything else required of him.