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Origins Newsletter of the UNSW Archives No 12 september 2009 IN THIS ISSUE 2 Robert James Heffron 4 University Archives in 2007/08 4 Samuels’ Coat of Arms 5 UNSW Emeriti 6 Campus Development 8 University Staff Association 9 Monomeeth Association 11 Accessions 12 Contact the Archives X to extend facilities to students who, years. In September 1958 a great was “only a partial discharge” of ROBERT JAMES HEFFRON – for financial reasons, cannot attend challenge arose, when the bill to the debt the university owed to present full-time university courses”. change the name of the New South Robert Heffron and in early 1962 A FOUNDING FATHER OF UNSW The legislation was passed and the Wales University of Technology to the Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Technical Education and New South University of New South Wales was Baxter wrote to Heffron requesting Wales University of Technology Act— debated in the NSW Parliament. The permission for the university to give obert James Heffron (1890– and thus this university—came into Report by the Committee of Inquiry Heffron’s name to its then “largest 1978) was NSW Minister being from 1 July, 1949. into the Future of the Australian and best equipped” building. And for Education from 1944 to R Opposition to the new university Universities, known as the Murray on 16 May 1962 the Robert Heffron 1960 and NSW Premier from 1959 had been expressed in the media. Report, had recommended the Building was opened. At the time to 1964. In today’s political climate Again, Heffron took up the name change as part of its proposal the University Council noted “that it is perhaps difficult to conceive university’s cause. On 4 May 1949, that the university expand its focus the name of the Honourable R. J. that a NSW politician could have an article by Heffron was published from technology into such fields as Heffron, Premier of New South made a significant contribution in the Sydney Morning Herald, entitled medicine and arts. Several members Wales, shall be permanently to this university. Yet when in “Defence of New University”, in of Parliament objected to the idea, commemorated within the 1978 the university’s then Acting which he answered the university’s with many feeling that it would university” as well as its “gratitude Vice-Chancellor Professor Rex critics and noted that “I feel that this put the reputation of the University [for] the part [Heffron] played in the Vowels mourned Heffron’s passing of Sydney at risk due to the newer institution and the development of by describing him as one of the institution being given the “obviously this university…where he has been “founding fathers of the university”, superior name”. Alternative titles always a source of wise counsel and this was not mere rhetoric, but rather such as the University of Randwick sincere friendship for the university”. recognition of the true debt that the or the University of Kensington The Robert Heffron name no university owes to Heffron for its were suggested and one member of longer heads this building—in establishment and even its name. In the opposition half-jested that “it 2007, following refurbishment, the year of the university’s sixtieth might even be called the Heffron this appellation was removed and anniversary, it seems appropriate University, for no one has worked replaced by the “the Australian to acknowledge this particular harder for it than has the minister”. School of Business Building”. “founding father”. Yet again Heffron spoke persuasively In 1999 one of Robert Heffron’s World War II had demonstrated and dismissed as “absurd” the two daughters, Maylean Cordia, the increasing importance of notion that there would be any representing “the descendents of the technology and science to society, impact on the high standing of the Founder of the University of New but this had not been matched in University of Sydney, a century-old South Wales” wrote to congratulate the numbers of students graduating institution. And so the present name the university on its fiftieth in technical disciplines. In the into existence. The Developmental and direction of this university was anniversary. She noted that three pre-Whitlam era, states held the Robert J. Heffron, Chancellor Wallace Council met first on 27 August Wurth, Deputy Chancellor John S. J. assured. generations of the family were now primary responsibility for tertiary 1947. At the meeting Heffron stated Clancy and University of New England The university’s recognition of alumni of the university, including education and so it was their lot to “I have regarded this Council as Chancellor Sir Earle Page, Newcastle Heffron’s importance in shaping herself and her son, Robert Cordia, find a solution to this predicament. of such major importance that I University College graduation ceremony, its beginnings began early. At the and went on to say that “Bob Heffron Fortunately, in 1944 the New South 1957 Photograph courtesy State Library of propose to act as Chairman”. The final meeting of the Developmental would be a happy man to have seen Wales Government had appointed New South Wales [Home and Away – 29222 Developmental Council was to set Council on 26 May 1949, members his dream come true”. a Minister for Education with the / Hood Collection] in place the principles upon which of the Council paid tribute to There are many who have played foresight required to address this the early university was to rely—its their Chairman by noting that the a part in ensuring the establishment problem—Robert Heffron. course standards, administrative university “will stand as everlasting and growth of this university. But the There had been previous structure, legislation and even its argument centred on the notion evidence of his vision, energy truly high esteem in which Heffron discussions on the creation of a accommodation. The Developmental that it would be better to simply and sincerity of purpose”. And to has been held by the university new tertiary institution by the Council worked so speedily that by increase the funding of “the existing Robert J. Heffron at the opening of commemorate Heffron’s fundamental is shown in the hanging of his Government. It was Heffron, March 1948 forty-six students had university”. Heffron remained firm. Newcastle Teachers’ College, 1950 part in its establishment, he was portrait in the Council Chamber—a however, who took action. On 9 July enrolled to study in the prospective He stated that the new university Photograph courtesy Cultural Collections, awarded an honorary doctorate location otherwise reserved only 1946 he presented a proposal to the institution. would “provide professional courses University of Newcastle of science at the university’s first for portraits of those who have NSW Cabinet outlining the creation During its planning process, the of a distinctly different type from graduation ceremony to be held held office at the level of chancellor of a NSW Institute of Technology. Developmental Council had also those…available at the University of on the Kensington campus on 16 and vice-chancellor. It was, after This was approved in principle. A re-considered the name of the new Sydney”, including part-time courses, April 1955. The citation noted that all, his support and hard work for year later, at Heffron’s request, body. So by March 1949 when cadetships and “fees at the lowest Heffron “has played a vital role in the university both as chair of the Cabinet authorised the appointment legislation was introduced into level possible”. Having himself left new institution should be given time the founding and early development Developmental Council and as of a Developmental Council to Parliament, it was not to establish school at fifteen before working full- to prove its worth through the quality of this university and remains a advocate in the university’s early, bring the new tertiary institution an Institute of Technology, but time and conducting his studies at and work of its graduates”. Time has sympathetic and wise counsellor difficult years that ensured that it did the New South Wales University night—first in metallurgy and later indeed shown the truth in Heffron’s to our cause…His name is written not become the victim of politicians of Technology. This was the first in law—Heffron was keenly aware words. indelibly into the history of the and others unsympathetic to the Robert J. Heffron at the Foundation Stone time that a second university was of the need for flexibility in tertiary Although he had no official New South Wales University of need for educational change and Laying Ceremony for the university’s Main to be established in any Australian education. He emphasised that position within the new university, Technology”. expansion. Building, 1950 [CN465] Photographer: state. Passing the legislation was far “the Government…is fully alive to Heffron continued to offer his support It was felt by the university, Government Printing Office from easy and much of the counter the need in a democratic country throughout the university’s early however, that an honorary degree K A T I E B I R D 2 ORIGI ns N o . 12 ORIGI ns N o . 12 3 X O R al H I S T O R Y P R oj E C T THE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES IN 2007/08 UNSW EMERITI: RESEARCH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCES WITHIN THE AUSTRALIAN n the last two years, work in the Series and Agency Description Project Program. Their support has allowed restructured Records and Archives which involves the retrospective us to capture the reminiscences of TERTIARY EDUCATION SYSTEM IOffice has settled into some new identification of series and writing of some of UNSW’s outstanding staff routines. Together staff undertake agency descriptions for all records in members through special projects.

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