Series 1345 Oral Histories and Interviews
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Item Open Access Interview with Erica Jolly - teacher, author and founding member of SA Social Studies Teachers Association(2018-09-05)Erica is a teacher and author who was a founding member of the SA Social Studies Teachers Association (contributing to its text books) and the SA History Teachers Association. She took her Masters in English Literature at Flinders University and taught in Girls and Boys Technical Colleges for 40 years. Erica's published works include a history of vocational education in South Australia from 1897 - 2001, We Came to Marion 1955 - 1995 (1995), A Broader Vision: Voices of Vocational Education in SA (2001), Challenging the Divide: Approaches to Science and Poetry (2010), and Making a Stand (2015).Item Open Access Item Open Access Interview with John Dawkins AO [RDA 1968](2018-11)John Dawkins AO graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia in 1968 with a Roseworthy Diploma of Agriculture (RDA). Although John hailed from Western Australia, his family connections at Gawler River and the scope of the three year diploma at Roseworthy attracted him to enrol at Roseworthy. He then went on to study Economics in Western Australia and later entered Australian politics. From his early days in tertiary study, John was attracted to leadership, committee work and he was President of the Student Representative Council in 1967. It was a natural progression into Student Unions, Labour Unions and later Federal Politics culminating in becoming the Federal Treasurer in the Keating Government. John’s Roseworthy experience equipped him for his time as Trade Minister when he conceived of and led the Cairns Group of Agricultural Exporting Countries that successfully campaigned for fairer trade in agricultural commodities and improved markets and returns for Australian farmers.Item Open Access Interview with Brian Condon [RDA 1946](2018-09)Brian Condon graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1946 with a RDA (Roseworthy Diploma of Agriculture). This study was essentially to embellish the Condon family business that included a Dairy Factory in the Mid North of South Australia at that time. Brian remained with the family business throughout his life as it diversified, especially into soft drinks. At one stage the Condon family held one of the geographically biggest Coca-Cola franchises in Australia. This prompted Brian to use a light aeroplane to manage the business in South Australia and the Northern Territory. In the interview Brian recalls his days at Roseworthy during the the second world war. Fuel restrictions meant he honed his skills with horse teams and at one stage even rode a horse from his home in Pt Pirie to the College. Brian’s love of flying and the Rotary Club (Pt Pirie) led to the formation of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians of which he became the World President. Brian was awarded an OAM in 2007 for his services to the community, especially Rotary.Item Open Access Interview with Christel Schrank, Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon) and Ruth Robinson(2017-10)2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the first female RDA students graduation in 1977. These students began their studies in 1974, a significant event given that the Roseworthy Agricultural College had been a male only student institution since its establishment in 1883. This interview is with three of those first female RDA Graduates: Ruth Robinson, Christel Schrank and Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon). They discuss some of their experiences and recollections as they worked through traditional barriers and broke new ground to complete their studies. During this period Roseworthy joined the 20th century approach to egalitarian tertiary education.Item Open Access Interview with Graham Brookman [RDA 1970](2016-10)Graham Brookman graduated from the Roseworthy Agricultural College with an RDA in 1970. ‘Brooky’ was a very active and energetic student leader who chaired the Student Representative Council in 1969. Under his leadership the Roseworthy Open Day went from a low-key event to a significant day in the life of the College, attracting 5000 visitors. On graduation Graham completed a 2-year call up to National Service that was followed by a year at Adelaide Teachers College where he completed a Diploma of Teaching. After travelling and working overseas he joined the staff at Roseworthy where he was involved in the recruitment of new students and support. Graham remained at Roseworthy as it transitioned to a campus of the University of Adelaide. Today Graham is one of Australia’s foremost permaculture designers who, with his wife Annemarie at The Food Forest near Gawler, has developed a permaculture farm and learning centre where sustainable gardening, farming and building is demonstrated and shared.Item Open Access Interview with Bruce Eastick AM [RDA 1947](2016-10)Bruce Eastick AM graduated from Roseworthy College in 1947 with First Class Honours. He was awarded the Albert Molineaux Prize, Morphett Prize and many others. He then attended the University of Sydney where he graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree. Bruce pioneered rural veterinary practice in Gawler as its first self-employed veterinarian and became State President of the Australian Veterinary Association in 1961 and Federal President in 1966. Bruce was involved with the Corporation of Gawler and was Mayor from 1968 to 1972. He was elected Member for Light in 1970 and became Leader of the Opposition in 1972, also achieving the role of Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1979 to 1982. He has always retained a close connection to Roseworthy College and was made a Member of the College Council in 1982. After one year, he was elected President. Bruce is a Life Member of ROCA and was awarded the 1985 ROCA Award of Merit. In 2017, he was named as the inaugural Roseworthy Icon.Item Open Access Interview with Robert Dickson and Ralph Middenway – A Discussion about the design and construction of the new Union Building in the mid-to-late 1960s.(2007-08)Ralph Middenway began working at the University in 1965, and quickly became involved in planning the new Union Hall building at the North Terrace campus. With the assistance of Graham Sweeney, Ralph developed an architectural brief which he presented to the Union House Committee, and suggested that architect Bob Dickson would be a great fit for the project. Around mid-1967 Bob joined the project after working in both Italy and Adelaide – most recently on the Arkaba building at Fullarton. He had been approached by the University to work on the Kathleen Lumley College project, and almost simultaneously the Union Hall. As it developed, the Union Bookshop also emerged as a need that was to be met by the new building. In this interview, Ralph and Bob discuss the planning, development, debates around and final outcomes of the project, providing great insight into a significant moment in the history of the development of the University.Item Open Access Interview with Professor Judith Brine – A Leading Figure in the School of Architecture and Built Environment(2008-09)Professor Judith Brine joined the University of Adelaide in 1972 as a Lecturer in Architecture, becoming Senior Lecturer in 1978. By 1997 Professor Brine was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of PALACE (Performing Arts, Law, Architecture and Urban Design, Commerce, and Economics). This interview includes some personal reflections on two challenging moments in the Architecture Department during the late 1970s. First, divisions arose within the Faculty in relation to the need to incorporate a Town Planning course into the curriculum - an issue which ultimately triggered an internal inquiry. Second, much debate was generated by a push – considered to be quite controversial - to incorporate more theory and history and less design into the early years of the degree. This period of upheaval and change would come to be described by some as a time of great furtherance of the academic side of the School, and the approach adopted at the time reflected the most theoretically-oriented course offered in the country.Item Open Access Interview with Derrick Kendrick – A Key Figure in the Restructuring and Development of the School of Architecture and Built Environment(2008-07)Derrick Kendrick studied Architecture in the United Kingdom after completing his schooling, and traveled to Adelaide in 1958 to begin lecturing at the University. The newly established School of Architecture comprised about 50 students at the time, many of whom had transferred over from the Institute of Technology School of Architecture. Along with David Sanders, Derrick helped to restructure the Architecture Degree courses, time frames and subjects, and wrote the rules and regulations that would be put in place to achieve the new course objectives. He speaks extensively about the different approaches adopted by the School during this time of transition in order to accommodate the needs of students, lecturers and the profession itself, and reflects on the reviews, appointments and challenges that beset the School during the 1980s. Disc 3 is focused on the planning content of the course in the Architecture School.Item Open Access Interview with Dr E Harry Medlin – Reader in the Department of Physics and Active Member of the University for over 50 Years.(2007-08)Harry Medlin's association with the University of Adelaide lasted over 50 years, with his influence spanning activities as a student, lecturer and multiple committee member to a passionate supporter of the Theatre Guild. He began his studies in 1946 after returning from service as a Captain in the Army during the Second World War, achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949 and completing Honours in 1951. Harry joined the University as a Lecturer in Physics in 1951, quickly rising to Senior Lecturer in 1960 and Associate Professor in 1974. Harry’s service to the University extended far beyond his teaching role and one of his most significant contributions was as Inaugural Chair of the now thriving Alumni Association, which he helped establish. He also served for many years on the Education Committee, was an active member of the Senate Standing Committee from 1965 to 1980 and sat on the University Council from 1967 to 2003. Harry was Deputy Chancellor of the University from 1978 to 1997, and was awarded the degree of Doctor of the University in 1987. In 2001 he received the Centenary Medal for his creative and productive involvement in all aspects of the work, life and culture of universities.Item Open Access Interview with Professor Trevor Wilson - One of the World's Leading Military Historians(2007-08)Trevor Wilson taught history at the University of Adelaide from the early 1960s until his retirement in 1993, and continued to teach undergraduate and honours classes and supervise postgraduate students for many years after retiring. He has authored some of the most renowned texts on the Great War, and his first military focussed book The Myriad Faces of War: Britain and the Great War, 1914-1918 published in 1986, is internationally recognised as revolutionary in its treatment of the topic of war. In 2003 a symposium entitled The War, Government and Society – affectionately known as the 'Trevfest' – was held at the University in honour of Professor Wilson's contribution to the study of twentieth-century military, political and social history. Trevor was appointed an Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2007 in recognition of his service to education in the area of World War I military history through teaching, writing and historical research.Item Open Access Interview with The Honourable Samuel Jacobs - Chief Justice of South Australia(2007-08)Sam Jacobs began his association with the University in 1939 as student in the Law School, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War and a posting to the Middle East in 1941. After completing his tour overseas with the 2nd 27th Battalion, Sam returned to Australia to discover he had contracted tuberculosis, requiring a six month stay in hospital. After completing his degree in 1946, Sam was articled to George McEwin at law firm Baker McEwin and mentored by George Ligertwood, beginning an illustrious career in law in South Australia. Sam was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1965 and Supreme Court Judge from 1973 to 1990. He presided over the Royal Commission into the collapse of the State Bank between 1991 and 1993, and was President of the Law Society of South Australia from 1972 to 1973. He also played a significant and instrumental role in University life as a representative on the National Union of Australian University Students in 1947, helping to form the first Student Representative Council in 1947, sitting on the advisory committee for the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme, and being a member of the University Council in 1961 - going on to hold the office of Deputy Chancellor from 1984 to 1992.Item Open Access Interview with Albert Gillissen – A Significant Contributor to the Creation and Development of the School of Architecture and Built Environment.(2008-07)Albert Gillissen joined the Architecture Department as a Senior Lecturer in 1963, after completing his studies in New Zealand. At the time the architecture program at the University of Adelaide was in its infancy and it was the very early days of what is now known as the School of Architecture and Built Environment. Albert became a fundamental facet of the School as it grew and developed. He witnessed first-hand the changes driven by Computer Assisted Design on both architecture in general and the School itself, and continued to design after retiring – in particular a house made of straw bales for an Eco Village in Aldinga in 2007. Albert also sat on many committees over the years, engaging with issues ranging from student housing to Aboriginal Studies in Music.Item Open Access Interview with Dr John Cooper – A Journey from Analytical Chemist to Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in Geology(2006-11)Dr John Cooper began his association with the University in 1947 studying Industrial Chemistry at the School of Mines. The courses at the School were run in conjunction with the University, which taught many of the subjects at the time. In this interview John discusses his studies and the social, academic and cultural environment he found as both a student and lecturer. After graduating Dr Cooper spent time working in Adelaide, Broken Hill and at ANU before a career shift saw him return to Adelaide to teach Geology at the University. John reflects upon his early career in radio chemistry, his time as a Geochronologist and his ultimate transition into studying and teaching Geology, which came about after his experiences working with and dating rock samples developed an already keen interest in Geology. After securing a teaching role at the University John remained as an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow until 2012.Item Open Access Interview with Associate Professor John Keeler - Adjunct Professor in the Law School(2013-05)John Keeler gained his undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford before joining the Law School at the University of Adelaide in 1964. After beginning his career as a lecturer he remained at the University until formally retiring in 2002, after which he continued to serve as an adjunct Associate Professor. During his time at Adelaide Dr Keeler served on many committees both within the Law School and for the wider university community including the University Council (1980s and 1990s) and the Staff Association, and was a habituate of the University Staff Club and a founder and long serving member of the famous ‘Table Four’. In 2016 Dr Keeler was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Awards in recognition of his significant service to tertiary legal education in South Australia as a senior academic and author, and as a mentor of law students.Item Open Access Interview with Emeritus Professor Joe Wiskich - Professor of Botany at the University of Adelaide.(2012-12)After studying in Sydney and undertaking fellowships in the United States, Professor Wiskich returned to Australia in 1964 and began his long association with the Botany Department at the University of Adelaide. He was initially appointed as a lecturer, ultimately receiving a professorship and serving as Head of Department. Professor Wiskich also played a significant role in the administration of the university, and one his most high profile positions was Chair of the Executive Committee. He was elected into the Australian Academy of Sciences in 1994, and in 1997 received the Verco Medal from the Royal Society of South Australia for his achievements in Plant Physiology. Professor Wiskich has authored over 150 journal articles, along with numerous reviews, conference proceedings and presentations. He received continuous grant support for his research, and held a prestigious special investigator award from the Australian Research Council between 1993 and 1995. Professor Wiskich was also a prominent member of the Australian Society of Plant Physiologists, fulfilling the role of President from 1996-1997.Item Open Access Interview with Dr Alan Brissenden - Author, Critic and Honorary Visiting Reaserch Fellow in the English Department.(2013-02)Dr Alan Brissenden has been associated with the English Department at the University of Adelaide for over 50 years. He began his employment in 1962 as a Lecturer in English, ultimately taking on roles including Chair of the English Department and Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in 2016. Dr Brissenden was also Chairman and Vice-President of the SA Division of the Arts Council of Australia (subsequently the Arts Council of South Australia) from 1972 to 1975, and is a recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia award. In 2013 he was inducted into the Australian Dance Awards Hall of Fame in honour of his distinguished 60 year career as a dance scholar and critic. It was the first time the award was bestowed upon a non-practitioner of Dance in its history. Dr Brissenden has made a significant contribution to the literary output of the University, producing around 44 works during his career - which to date have themselves inspired a further 29 significant publications.Item Open Access Interview with Emeritus Professor John Prescott – Pioneering Physics researcher focussing on Cosmic Rays, Luminescence and 3D spectrometers(2006-10)Professor Prescott began studying Physics at the University in 1942, and after completing Honours and a PhD degree worked around the world before becoming Professor of Physics at the University of Adelaide in 1971. His service to the University includes periods as Dean of Science, Chairman of Physics, Chairman of Physics and Mathematical Physics, Chairman of the Education Committee, Elder Professor of Physics and Honorary Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Physics and Mathematical Physics. Professor Prescott’s main research interest was in cosmic rays, and he founded the Cosmic Ray and Luminescence Groups at the University. He then decided to apply his knowledge of physics to archaeology using the new technique of thermoluminescence dating. He set up a laboratory and conducted fieldwork at sites in Australia, China and Thailand, and his paper on cosmic ray penetration in sediments remains one of the most cited in the luminescence literature.Item Open Access Interview with Professor Basil Hetzel AC – CSIRO’s first Chief of the Division of Human Nutrition(2006-10)Professor Basil Hetzel graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1944, and after winning a Fulbright Scholarship in New York returned to Adelaide to become the first Professor of Medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There he began his transformational research linking iodine deficiency with intellectual disability and deformities in infants, which had a profound impact on global public health. Professor Hetzel’s research was driven by a desire to implement a socially responsible and preventative approach to health and medicine, and after being incorporated into the international public health practices of the World Health Organisation and UNICEF his findings continue to directly benefit more than two billion people at risk of IDD in 130 countries. In 1990 Professor Hetzel was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in recognition of his achievements in service to global health.