William Bragg's tact and vision eases rivalry between Adelaide University and School of Mines and Industries

The former School of Mines and Industries building on North Terrace, now part of the University of South Australia.
 

William Bragg showed his tact and growing breadth of vision by being, uniquely, a member of the councils of both Adelaide University and the School of Mines and Industries.

The rivalry between became sometimes acrimonious especially in regard to teaching advanced courses at the school. Bragg was the man in the middle of this dispute.

The School of Mines and Industries grew out of the many mechanics’ institutes that provided early elementary technical education in South Australia.

By the 1880s, many people saw a need for a centre for technical study. A drought, agricultural decline and the need to develop mining and industry heightened this need. Without public secondary education, a big gap grew between education at primary schools and the university. An ideological undercurrent also sought opportunity for the socially disadvantaged. After a report from a board of enquiry, the Tom Playford II government ministry set up the South Australian School of Mines and Industries in 1888.

Students started at the school in 1889, and John Langdon Bonython began his 50 years as president of the governing council. In 1890, Adelaide University nominated Professor William Bragg to fill a vacancy on the Council of the School left by Dr Edward Stirling. William remained a valued member until he left Australia in 1909.

From the start, School of Mines’ students attended physics, electrical engineering and other classes at the university but they were often hampered by a lack of basic knowledge. Preparatory courses were progressively introduced. In 1899, George Brookman gave £10,000 to construct a building to house the school and Bonython built it next to the University.

William Bragg believed in a broad general education for the whole community but also equally in the intellectual primacy of the university. He agreed to requests for engineering courses, with invaluable input from Robert Chapman, although staff and resources at the university were exceptionally low.