Half a Century of Growth (1923 - 1970)

Its programs were now part of the State's educational system and from 1923 to 1970 the institution maintained momentum, weathering events such as the Great Depression and agricultural problems such as the prickly pear infestation and rabbit plague.

Two events close to home posed major changes.

In 1927 the University of Queensland launched its Agriculture Faculty, ending Gatton's State monopoly on tertiary agricultural education. The institution was, however, already developing interests in scientific education and research.

In 1942 much of the campus was requisitioned (on one day's notice) for the 153rd Station Hospital and later the 105th General Hospital of the U.S. Army. In fewer than three years these hospitals hosted more than 19,000 wounded servicemen plus 3000 Army doctors, nurses and other service personnel.

The sudden requisition caused major disruption and many new buildings were constructed in 1943 to accommodate teaching and research activities. This development continued throughout the War, with the focus on practical farm work and projects of immediate wartime value such as intensive crop and livestock production, and growing opium poppies to make drugs.

The end of the War in 1945 heralded renewed interest in agricultural education. By 1969, when the first women enrolled, student numbers had trebled while international enrolments and course offerings had expanded dramatically.

More land was acquired in 1950 and 1951 but campus development was stalled despite appeals to the Education Department to replace wooden pre-war and Army buildings. Ex-Army huts had to suffice until a fire destroyed most of them during the August 1963 vacation.

Over the next eight years, a vigorous rebuilding program yielded four new student residences, five new teaching and research facilities, an airstrip and a cadet-training centre.

Most significantly the College became a purely tertiary institution. High school teaching was phased out in 1962 and the name changed back to Queensland Agricultural College, heralding the next phase - self-government.
 

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