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Agricultural Education: in Victoria & the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Melbourne
Agricultural Education remains fundamental to civilization. It is the most consistent productive income of Australia, which is one of the world’s very few net agricultural exporters. Victoria, with only about three percent of the Australia’s area, has been its major source of agricultural output. These three factors – underpinning civilization, creating wealth, and intensity in south-eastern Australia – make Victorian agriculture and its education of national importance and international significance.
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, at times complemented by La Trobe University and such colleges as Burnley, Dookie, Gilbert Chandler, Glenormiston, Longerenong, Marcus Oldham and McMillan, has underpinned sustained rises in productivity and profitability. But coordination and consistency have not always been its hallmarks.
This history reveals that Agriculture at Melbourne began amidst controversy, grew to fame under a great Dean, at times rested on its laurels and others was dragged into organisational experiments. Its 22 Deans over its 110 years typify the calling evident in its staff. Frequently a leader, the Faculty has recently strengthened its animal sciences by joining with the veterinary sciences – but that is for a future history.