Image Gallery: December 2004
50 Years of food research at Scottsdale
03 December 2004
On 17 September 1951 a cost estimate of 62,710 pounds was submitted to Federal Cabinet for a research annex to be built next to Dewcrisp, in Scottsdale and the expenditure was approved in May 1952. Work began in May 1953 and after numerous delays with materials and equipment, the building was ready for operation in May 1954. In July that year work began on the compressibility of vegetables with Mr Lance Strickland as the first officer in charge.
At the end of 1958, the annex became the Army Research Laboratories, administered by Army as a research station for the further development of ration packs. This role also included research and development for Navy and Airforce. Lieutenant Jeff Fairbrother was appointed acting Officer-in-charge. There were four permanent staff and casual staff were contacted as required.
The administration block was added in 1965 and a large experimental processing wing, boiler room and laundry were completed in 1970. The establishment was renamed the Armed Forces Food Science Establishment (AFFSE) in 1971. By this stage there were 32 staff and Dr Raymond Hutchinson was the director. A pilot freeze dryer was installed in 1972.
Dr Ross Richards became director in 1974. A re-organisation of services within Defence resulted in a single Defence Science Division in 1975 and AFFSE became part of the Science Laboratories and trials division in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). Staffing levels were at 34 - the all time high.
In 1977 a large prefabricated store was added, and in 1980 new laboratories were added for nutrition, chemistry and microbiology. Staffing levels were at 28, including three Army positions.
As part of Defence's Commercial Support Program (CSP) the now named MRL Tasmania was the successful 'in house' tender in 1994 and established a five year contract. Staff numbers were reduced to 16 (from 24) and Dr Graham Driver was appointed as Manager. Yet another name change in 1996 saw the formation of the Defence Nutrition Research Centre.
In mid 2000, the establishment was formally removed from the Commercial Support Program and the now named DSTO Scottsdale and the 14 full time staff continue to provide research and development in Food Science and Nutrition and quality Specialised Food Products to the Australian Defence Forces.
| Scottsdale19641-06 Bacterial growth studies are used for mathematical modelling of microbial growth. (Date taken: unknown) High-res |
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| Scottsdale19641c-12 Dried foods ready for packaging and delivery to the hungry soldiers. (Date taken: unknown) High-res |
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| Scottsdale21269b-03 The DSTO Annex (late 1950s) (Date taken: unknown) High-res |
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| Scottsdale21269f-03 Female employees from Kraft, then Dewcrisp, and then Defence were employed in the Annex packaging rations and processing the dehydrated vegetables (late 1950s). (Date taken: unknown) High-res |
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