Sydney University Regiment Sydney University Regiment ( SUR ) is an officer - training regiment of the Australian Army Reserve . Its predecessor , the University Volunteer Rifle Corps , was raised in 1900 as a unit of the colonial New South Wales Defence Force . During the 20th century , several changes of name and role occurred . Sydney University Regiment is headquartered in Darlington and has detachments in Canberra and Wollongong . History . Early years . The University Volunteer Rifle Corps ( UVRC ) was raised on the 17 November 1900 , as part of the colonial military forces of New South Wales . The University of Sydney was the colony ' s only university at the time , and two of its professors , T . W . Edgeworth - David and J . T . Wilson . VD , a former officer of the East Surrey Regiment , and employed as a teacher of physics at the university , encouraged the formation of a volunteer military unit . Military training commenced in early 1901 with one hundred volunteers . The volunteers held their first parade in uniform later that year , when visited by the Duke of York , later to become George V . The UVRC appeared in public for the first time at a review ceremony in Centennial Park on the occasion of the coronation of Edward VII . In 1903 , the UVRC changed its name to the Sydney University Scouts ( SUS ) and the establishment had by then doubled to two rifle companies . When " universal " boyhood conscription was introduced in 1911 , the Scouts ' numbers increased , since all eligible undergraduates of the university were drafted into it and it became a militia battalion . At this time it also became responsible for the training of boy soldiers , the forerunner of today ' s Australian Cadet Corps , during their attendance at camps . World War I . On the outbreak of the World War I , over sixty percent of the Scouts enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force ( AIF ) . Members of the Scouts served widely within the AIF . In mid - 1918 a university company was recruited from students at the University of Sydney for active service in the AIF . The war ended before it mobilised for service . 1920s . A regimental band of pipes and drums was formed in 1925 . In 1927 the University Scouts were renamed the Sydney University Regiment ( SUR ) . In recognition of its members ' service in the Great War , Lieutenant - General Sir Harry Chauvel presented the regiment with its first King ' s and regimental colours . A display was presented by the regiment ' s artillery unit . In 1929 , King George V approved the SUR ' s affiliation with the 60th Regiment , The King ' s Royal Rifle Corps ( KRRC ) and consequently the regiment ' s embellishments and badges of rank became black with a red felt backing . These distinctive arrangements continue and are unique in the Australian Army . This alliance was maintained with The Royal Green Jackets of the British Army , the successor regiment to the KRRC until its amalgamation . World War II . The regiment " per se " was not mobilised ; but , as in the World War I , many serving and former members of the SUR enlisted in the Second AIF and served with distinction in all theatres of war . A notable example was Sir Arthur Roden Cutler , who had enlisted in the SUR Transport Platoon in 1936 . He enlisted in the Second AIF and was awarded the Victoria Cross on the 28th of November 1941 " for most conspicuous and sustained gallantry , and for outstanding bravery from 19th June to 16th July in Syria . " 1960s . In 1960 , the regiment ' s campus HQ was destroyed by fire . ( The regiment was subsequently rehoused at a new facility on university - owned land at Darlington . ) National Service ( conscription of 20 - year - olds by ballot ) was introduced by the Menzies government in November 1964 and operated until December 1972 . During this period , the regiment provided an alternative form of military service for university students . SUR during this period consisted of four rifle companies , a recruit - training company and an HQ and support company . The support company provided mortar , signal , pioneer and transport platoons . This was a period of increasing student activism and , in particular , protests against conscription and Australia ' s participation in the Vietnam War . In May 1969 , protesting students confronted a guard of honour for Sir Roden Cutler VC , who was honorary colonel of the regiment and governor of NSW . 1990s . The regiment received new colours in 1994 , from the state governor , Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair . In 1997 , the regiment came under command of the Royal Military College , Duntroon , tasked with conducting training that prepares part - time officer cadets for their final attendance at the college .