History:

In 1973 the Orange Agricultural College was established by the NSW State Government to offer courses related principally to the management of agricultural business.

In 1989, the Dawkins reforms to higher education saw new universities formed. As part of this change, OAC became part of the University of New England (UNE) and, with the dis-establishment of UNE in 1993, OAC formally became the Orange Campus of the University of Sydney in 1994.

Facilities:

The Orange Campus is situated approximately five kilometres north of the City of Orange and is located on a 500 hectare site. Currently 50 hectares of the Campus are used for teaching facilities, with the remaining 450 hectares comprising the “Campus Farm”. The Campus facilities include:

• office accommodation for staff and postgraduate students;
• lecture and tutorial rooms;
• residential accommodation and recreation facilities for 150 students in residence;
• well developed computer, online and videoconference facilities;
• a comprehensive library collection; and,
• clinical, pharmacy and science laboratories.

The Campus farm includes equine, viticultural and grazing enterprises. The equine unit has stables, yards and indoor riding facilities as well as a commercial horse stud. There are 20 hectares of vineyard from which grapes are sold and wine marketed under The Templer’s Mill label. The remainder of the property is used for grazing by sheep and beef cattle. The farm is a gazetted NSW Wildlife Refuge. 

Student and staff statistics:

In 2004, approximately 530 students studied through the Faculty of Rural Management and about 140 students in courses from other faculties at the Orange Campus.
In 2003, there were 43 academic staff and 49 general staff at the Orange Campus. 

Key Campus transfer dates:
 

2 July 2004	The Commonwealth gave formal support to transfer, announcing 100 new Charles Sturt University student places at Orange and 240 continuing student places at Orange.
2 November 2004	University of Sydney Senate gave approval for proposed transfer of Orange Campus to CSU.
5 November 2004	Executive Committee of Charles Sturt University Council gives approval for transfer of Orange Campus to CSU to proceed.
1 January 2005	Transfer date of staff, students, courses and infrastructure of the Orange campus to CSU.