Doman Sherry Morris 2 CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY | DOMAN DOMAN 3 Doman IV Acknowledgements V Contents VI Sketch of Doman ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Doman Family 1 Introduction Carol Carlyon, Katie Brussels Writer of ‘Doman’ 3 Chapter One Wagga Agricultural College Wagga Wagga Historian: Ms Sherry Morris Chapter Two Bernard ‘Dick’ Doman CSU Regional Archives: 5 Wayne Doubleday and StaffDivision of Facilities Management 11 Chapter Three Planning a new dormitory block Executive Director: Stephen Butt Graphic Designer: Kerri-Anne Chin 17 Chapter Four Constructing the new dormitory Division of Marketing and Communication Account Manager, Creative Services: Megan Chisholm 23 Chapter Five The offcial opening Copywriter and Content Offcer: Daniel Hudspith Content Subeditor: Leanne Poll 31 Chapter Six Residents of Doman Hall Printed by CSU Print Manager: Ian Lloyd 34 Doman in 2017 Print Production Coordinator: Alex Ward Offset Operator: Dean Rheinberger 38 Archives Graphic Prepress Offcer: Cassandra Dray 41 Endnotes Photographs in this publication have been reproduced with permission 43 Bibliography from the Doman family and with copyright approval from CSU Regional Archives. ‘Doman’ has been produced by the Division of Facilities Management in association with the CSU Regional Archives and Wagga Wagga historian Sherry Morris. 2018 © Charles Sturt University. CSURegionalArchives IV CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY | DOMAN DOMAN V INTRODUCTION Doman Hall was built in response to a dire Representative Council (SRC) and the need for more student accommodation Wagga Agricultural College Old Boys at Wagga Agricultural College. The frst Union (WACOBU). Although originally principal of the college, Bernard (‘Dick’) called Doman Block, by 1985 it was Doman, and the house master, Don Joyes, known as Doman Building and by the began agitating for a new accommodation 1990s it was referred to as simply block from the early 1950s but funds were ‘Doman’ or Doman Hall. not available until August 1959. I have enjoyed the research for this Sketch plans were approved by the booklet and found the history of Doman Department of Public Works by September quite fascinating. Most of the information 1960 and a set of drawings were and photographs were obtained from fles completed by Sydney architect, Neville on the Wagga Agricultural Collection at Gruzman, by March 1961. Tenders were Charles Sturt University (CSU) Regional called in May 1961 and HC Buckman and Archives (CSURA). The National Library’s Son Ltd of Wagga Wagga was awarded Trove resource also proved invaluable in the contract. Delays were caused by fnding references in various newspapers. poor design, serious structural faults and I am grateful to CSU’s Division of numerous other faults and incomplete Facilities Management, which fnanced work which had to be fxed or completed, the project, and to the staff of CSURA, and the overlooking or deliberately Wayne Doubleday, Jillian Kohlhagen and ignoring of many items which should Paul O’Donnell for helping me locate have been included despite several relevant fles, scanning photographs and reminders. It was not offcially opened proofreading. until 24 April 1964. I also appreciate the assistance of Carol The accommodation was named Doman Carlyon and Katie Brussels, daughter Block after Dick Doman, the frst Principal, and granddaughter of Dick Doman, much to the delight of his successor as who supplied valuable information and principal, Fred Butler, the Students photographs of Dick Doman. Above: Sketch of Doman Dormitory Block and associated buildings, late 1960s. Key: 11. Doman Block, 12. Hall, 13. East Block, 14. College store, 15, Centre Bock, 16. Kitchen and ancillaries, 17. Dining room, Sherry Morris 18. West Block, 19. Graham Block, 20. Main access road from Wagga Wagga, 23. Agricultural Research Institute. Historian (Wagga Wagga) VI CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY | DOMAN DOMAN 1 one wagga agricultural college Established in 1892 by the New South Unfortunately, farmers’ knowledge of Wales (NSW) Department of Agriculture, soils, seeds, implements and climatic the Wagga Agricultural College was an conditions was lacking, and funding experiment farm to meet agricultural such learning conficted with day-to-day research and education needs. Initially farming priorities. The situation fuelled named the Murrumbidgee Experimental the need for agricultural education to Farm, it was soon referred to as the ensure long-term viability of these farms. Wagga Experiment Farm. The urgency of such education became Up until the 1870s, agricultural abundantly clear in the 1889 wheat development in the Wagga Wagga season, when the harvest was almost region had been minimal. Squatters destroyed by rust fungus. This opened and pastoralists used the land to the way for agricultural societies and cultivate just a few acres of grain and farmer and settlers associations, and by hay for use among their families and the late 19th century such groups began employees. Farmers who did take up pressuring governments to establish selections under the Crown Land Acts agricultural colleges. Roseworthy College of 1861 (NSW) eroded many larger lease in South Australia (SA) was established holdings and, for the most part, only frst in 1885, followed closely by Dookie eked out a meagre existence on such in North-Eastern Victoria in 1886. NSW inadequate holdings. lagged behind until forming a Department of Agriculture in March 1890; the state’s Then the 1880s saw a remarkable frst college, Hawkesbury Agricultural increase in wheat production, even more College, was established in March 1891. so with the extension of the railway line to North Wagga Wagga in 1878. The Since Wagga Wagga and the surrounding Riverina’s share of wheat acreage in district was one of the major focal points Australia increased from less than a of Australia’s most extensive mixed tenth in 1891 to one-third by 1901.1 farming enterprises (wheat and sheep), Left: Member for Wagga Wagga and Minister for Agriculture Eddie Graham speaking at the opening of the Wagga Agricultural College, September 1949. 2 CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY | DOMAN DOMAN 3 two it was chosen for the site of an experiment The Wagga Course in Agriculture, which farm the following year. October 1892 began on 3 March 1949, was intended to bernard ‘dick’ doman saw the dedication of an offcial site for meet the needs of students who wanted to an experiment farm taking in some 1993 obtain thorough knowledge in the various acres of Crown land in the Parish of North branches of agriculture and livestock and Wagga Wagga and part of North Wagga intended to take up practical farming, Wagga Common. teaching or instructional work as their profession. The curriculum, lecturers, Born in Nottinghamshire in England on Doman went on to attend the University The farm was to have two functions: demonstrations and practical feldwork 1 August 1909, Bernard Doman, or ‘Dick’ of Sydney as a student in the Faculty conducting experiments and training were similar to what was being provided as he became known, arrived in Sydney of Agriculture. He was awarded young men in the practice and science as part of the Agriculture Diploma Course with his parents, Bernard and Gertrude Second-Class Honours with his of agriculture. Unlike Hawkesbury at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Doman, on the P&O steamship Ballarat Bachelor of Science: Agriculture Agricultural College, the farm at Wagga on 29 May 1914. Emigration documents qualifcation at the end of 1931.9 Wagga had no provision for dairying. It In recognition of its equal status with the list Bernard Senior’s occupation as did, however, include all other scientifc Hawkesbury college, Wagga’s agriculture ‘farmer’ and both Bernard and Gertrude A wide and successful career in the agricultural training. course awarded its own diploma known as 26 years of age. Doman was later New South Wales (NSW) Department of as the Wagga Diploma of Agriculture described by his only child, Carol Agriculture followed. After his graduation Offcially opened on 2 October 1896, (WDA).3 On graduation, students were Carlyon, as a placid, quietly spoken and ceremony at the University of Sydney the Wagga Experiment Farm School qualifed to manage mixed farms, irrigation highly intelligent man, and although his in January 1932, he was appointed offered two-year courses. These included farms, dairies, wheat farms, piggeries, parents continued to speak in a distinct assistant plant breeder at Cowra, NSW. some lectures on the scientifc principles poultry farms, orchards and vineyards. Cockney accent, she insists her father In July that year, he was transferred to underlying agriculture but concentrated far They were also qualifed for feld staff did not have an accent at all.6 the Temora Experiment Farm on more on the practical and routine aspects positions in the NSW Department of probation for 12 months.10 of farming, like planting and harvesting Agriculture, Department of Conservation The family moved to Yass, where crops and looking after livestock.2 and Valuer-General’s Department.4 Bernard Snr worked as a stonemason Notably, Doman developed the wheat- or monumental mason.7 Bernard Jnr breeding program at the farm, which was After the Second World War, similar Such was the local interest that the frst attended Yass Public School and then previously not possible given the lack of courses to those offered at the Hawkesbury course was fully booked with 32 students, Yanco Agricultural High School in 1923 expertise. He was also responsible for the Agricultural College were being