Dairy Husbandry Research Foundation

The Dairy Husbandry Research Foundation (DHRF) was established by the Senate of the University of Sydney on 16 April 1959. This is also date of the inaugural meeting where the Chairperson and Council were elected and appointed. Prior to April 1959, a Provisional Committee met and discussed proposals for establishing a research and teaching facility at Cobbity (NSW) as well as the functions and objectives of the foundation.

Submission to the Dairy Industry Committee of Enquiry by the DHRF within the University of Sydney set out the objectives of the Foundation, November 1959:
a) provide a forum for the discussion and investigation of problems of the dairying industry
b) to act as a liaison between industry and the University
c) to assist in the provision of finance for research in the University of Sydney into problems of the dairying industry
d) to encourage and assist the financing of advanced teaching in dairy husbandry

The foundation comprises representatives of the following groups:
a. farmer organisations
b. Manufacturers and processors of dairy products
c. Australian dairy Produce Board
d. NSW Milk Board
e. University academic staff
f. University administrative staff
(G3/118 Vol 1)

Constitution of the Foundation:
a) promote, foster, develop and assist Dairy Husbandry Research in the Department of Animal Husbandry within the University of Sydney.
b) co-operate with the Department of Animal Husbandry in furtherance of Dairy Husbandry Research
c) recommend grants to the Department of Animal Husbandry for the purchase of plant, equipment and materials, or otherwise, for the promotion of Dairy Husbandry Research, from funds raised by the Foundation by way of fees, donations and the like
d) admit to membership of the Foundation, persons, firms, companies and associations, whether incorporated or unincorporated, and upon such terms and with such privileges as may be determined from time to time
e) recommend the printing of publications and the issue thereof to members of the foundation and others
f) arrange for lectures, exhibitions and demonstrations
g) assist the University to acquire and turn to account patents, patent rights or inventions, copyright designs, trade-marks or secret processes
h) assist in arranging visits from abroad of experts in Dairy Husbandry
i) enter into any arrangements with any institution or association having objects similar to those of the Foundation
j) solicit donations, gifts and bequests t the University of Sydney for the School of Physics from members of the public
k) do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them

The DHRF reviewed its constitution in 1987 which was endorsed by Senate on 7 December 1987. It then became known as the Dairy Research Foundation.

There were various amendments to the Constitution over the years, especially when there were restructures of Faculties, Departments and Schools and point a) in particular would be updated.

As at 1 January 1989 point a) was ...in the Departments of Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Economics and the School of Crop Sciences...
Animal Husbandry changed its name to the Department of Animal Science (Senate 4 February 1991) and the constitution was amended again. (from Registered File 037/0003/00003)

The Dairy Foundation Research Laboratory was officially opened on 10 May 1963.  As part of its extension role each year the Foundation has invited a visiting dairy expert to speak at the Dairy Research Foundation Symposium and then travel to a number of locations in dairying areas.

On 1st June 1964, the Senate of the University of Sydney established a chair in dairying. The position was the first of its kind in an Australian university and its establishment would not have been possible if not for the activities of the Foundation in supporting the original Readership.