Throughout its history, the Griffith Research Laboratory has had a number of different titles. When the Laboratory was first opened on 
4 September 1924, it was known as the Commonwealth Citrus Research Station, Griffith. In March 1927 the Commonwealth Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) assumed control of it and changed its name to Commonwealth Research Station, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas. 
Since then it has been known as:
. Irrigation Research Station, Griffith (1939-1961)
. Irrigation Research Laboratory (1961-Dec 1966)
. Division of Irrigation Research (Jan 1967-May 1982)
. Centre for Irrigation Research (Jun 1982-May 1987)
. Centre for Irrigation and Freshwater Research (Jul 1987-Dec 1987)

It is currently (from 1 January 1988) the Water Resources Division of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The focus of the research has also changed over the years. Research work in the late 1920s and early 1930s was mainly concerned with the investigation of irrigation and soil problems of the Murrimbidgee Irrigation Area.

In the late 1930s, two major catastrophes had a profound influence on the research work.  The first influence was the exceptionally heavy rainfall in 1939 which followed a two year drought. The rainfall caused widespread flooding and damage to many fruit crops, including vines. In some areas, up to 20 per cent of the trees and vines were killed. The Griffith Laboratory served as a headquarters for an aerial and ground survey to reclaim the land which had suffered from the salinity caused by rising water tables.

The second major influence on the research was the commencement of World War II. The Laboratory undertook research to support the tremendous expansion of vegetable production in the area which at one stage was the sole source of vegetables for the Allied Forces in the Pacific region.

In the late 1950s and 1960s, the emphasis of research changed from solving immediate problems to solving the problems of the future. In the 1970s, research began towards the study of new cropping systems.

In the early years, the work was related to problems in the local irrigation areas and the Griffith Laboratory earned an international reputation for citrus research. The institution pioneered the tile drainage system for the area and worked on irrigation techniques for vegetables and cotton. Since then, there has been extensive work undertaken on environmental control of greenhouses under Australian conditions, particularly the use of solar energy for heating them.

In recent years, there has been a focus on the aspects of water quality and problems within the root-zone of field crops. The research applications have been both on a national and international level.

Today, the Griffith Laboratory aims to improve the understanding of the role of water in the environment. The focus of the research is on the management of water and salinity for sustainable agriculture in irrigated areas of the Murray Basin and the ecology and management of surface water, encompassing the management of wetlands, rivers, aquatic plants and water quality.

In carrying out its research programs, the Laboratory cooperates closely with other CSIRO Divisions, State and Commonwealth
Departments, universities, industry, media and the community.

Sources:

CSIRO Archives, Canberra ACT

CSIRO Index (CSIX Database), Information Services Branch
Historical agency address
Research Station Road, Griffith NSW

Previous agency unregistered

04 Sep 1924-March 1927: Commonwealth Citrus Research Station, Griffith