Golden Yearbook Golden Yearbook Stories from graduates of the 1930s to the 1960s Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor and Principal ���������������������������������������������������������5 Message from the Chancellor ��������������������������������7 — Timeline of significant events at the University of Sydney �������������������������������������8 — The 1930s The Great Depression ������������������������������������������ 13 Graduates of the 1930s ���������������������������������������� 14 — The 1940s Australia at war ��������������������������������������������������� 21 Graduates of the 1940s ����������������������������������������22 — The 1950s Populate or perish ���������������������������������������������� 47 Graduates of the 1950s ����������������������������������������48 — The 1960s Activism and protest ������������������������������������������155 Graduates of the 1960s ���������������������������������������156 — What will tomorrow bring? ��������������������������������� 247 The University of Sydney today ���������������������������248 — Index ����������������������������������������������������������������250 Glossary ����������������������������������������������������������� 252 Produced by Marketing and Communications, the University of Sydney, December 2016. Disclaimer: The content of this publication includes edited versions of original contributions by University of Sydney alumni and relevant associated content produced by the University. The views and opinions expressed are those of the alumni contributors and do not necessarily reflect the University’s official policy or position. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, reliability and completeness of information, the University of Sydney does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this publication. 16/5382.1 ABN 15 211 513 464 CRICOS 00026A ISBN 978-1-74210-392-1 Foreword from the Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence Welcome to this special volume recounting The indelible imprint of a solid education, the memories of our alumni� As the title the lifelong friendships developed during Golden Yearbook suggests, the stories in university years, and the importance of this book have been shared by members family have all been key factors in lives of the University of Sydney community well lived� This is the very stuff of life, who graduated at least 50 years ago� both then and now� Many anecdotes are, however, even older than that� While it is important to look to the past, it is vital to remain anchored in the In order to know who we are, it is present and focused on the future� At the important to look from whence we came� University of Sydney, we honour our past Our past challenges and triumphs are the and our current place within the social, experiences that shape and define us� Our political and cultural landscape of our histories are always unique, and as varied city and nation while looking forward with and fascinating as the individuals to whom hope to the future we imagine, and to they belong� our rightful place as a leader in research and education� The stories in the following pages span generations, countries and faculties� I thank and congratulate every contributor Arts and economics alumni have shared to this book� I hope you enjoy reading the stories alongside medical and engineering anecdotes of the remarkable graduates graduates� Stories from home sit with who have helped to make the University those from abroad� Stories from alumni of Sydney extraordinary� of the 1930s come together with stories from alumni 30 years on� In the intervening years, lifetimes have been spent on research, running businesses, teaching, heading organisations, saving others and otherwise changing the world� But there are several threads that run through this book — common human themes with which we can all identify� Dr Michael Spence (BA ’85 LLB ’87) Vice-Chancellor and Principal The University of Sydney Cover image: Interior of MacLaurin Hall with examinations in progress, 1964, University of Sydney Archives, G3_224_1087 Left: Aerial view of the University from above Derwent Street, Glebe, 1930, Sydney Morning Herald image, University of Sydney Archives, G3_224_2647 5 Message from the Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AM Staying connected is vital on both Mrs Ann Sutherland (BA ’79) and a personal and a professional level� Ms Miranda Adams (BA ’14 MMedPrac ‘15), It reminds us that we are part of all of whom gave generously of their something greater than ourselves� time and expertise� The people and places that made us While the stories in this book come from remain with us for life, and I am proud alumni of myriad different backgrounds that the University of Sydney holds such and perspectives, it is clear that friends, a special place in the hearts of our family and the value of connection are alumni� It’s the reason so many want to essential to them all� give back to the University community through sharing their stories, volunteering As the oldest university in Australia, the or mentoring, by supporting events on University of Sydney has a proud heritage, campus and in so many other ways� and one that is often passed on through the generations� It is a lovely thing to see This book is the product of many hours of the families of alumni receive their own work, much of it provided by volunteers, degrees� This is something I have enjoyed all of whom are alumni of the University on a personal level when I watched as my of Sydney� These dedicated people own children graduated in the Great Hall� wrote, edited and interviewed our alumni contributors across weeks and months� As members of the University of Sydney And now we have this important and community, our connection is far more than permanent record of the history of our a framed testamur� It is visceral – something University community� we carry with us throughout our lives, and we can all identify with the stories Special thanks are due to Mr Angelos in this book� Fanos (LLM ’13), Mrs Janet Flint (BA ’56) (page 70), Ms Joanne Golack (BEc ’84 I hope you enjoy reading this wonderful LLB ’86), Ms Joan Grant (BSc ’64 DipEd collection of memories, reaching deep ’66), Mr Peter Lazar AM (BA ’54) (page 96), into our collective soul� Belinda Hutchinson AM (BEc ’76) Chancellor The University of Sydney Left: Fisher Library foyer and circulation desk, 1966, University of Sydney Archives G3_224_0097 7 Timeline of significant events at the University of Sydney Origins (1850–81)1852 1856 1859 1874 1880 1881 First degrees University of are conferred Sydney Union (USU) established – the The University first in Australia opens its doors with a focus on the classics, sciences The Great John Henry Challis The University becomes and mathematics, as Hall opens bequests the one of the first universities well as the “modern” equivalent of in the world to admit subjects of French, $32 million to female students German and the University political thought 1932 1938 1947 1951 1960s to today1965 1972 1976 The Sydney The PhD is introduced Charles Perkins (BA ’66) USU and Sydney Harbour Bridge, despite opposition leads the Freedom Ride University designed by from some faculties bus tour of western Women’s Union engineering and coastal NSW to join forces graduate John fight for the rights of Bradfield (BE Aboriginal people 1889 ME 1896 DSc Boden Chair of Human (Engineering) Nutrition established 1924), is opened First PhDs Honi Soit sends a are awarded reporter to Vietnam The New England University College is founded as part of the University of Sydney 8 Turn of the century1906 (1904–19) 1919 Modernity (1920s–50s) 1928 1929 Nigel Barker becomes Faculties increase The University of Sydney War the University’s first from four to 10 Memorial Carillon is dedicated on athlete to compete in Anzac Day to commemorate the the 1906 Intercalated 197 undergraduates, graduates Games held in Athens, and staff who died in the First winning bronze in World War both the 100m and Pioneering obstetrician 400m sprint and gynaecologist Dame Constance D’Arcy (MB Students’ Representative ChM 1904) becomes the Council (SRC) is formed first woman elected to the University Senate First edition of Honi Soit, the weekly student newspaper, goes to print 1981 1987 2008 2012 2014 2015 Sydney is the INSPIRED – the campaign to support The Australian largest recipient the University of Sydney, launches Institute for of national Nanoscale Science research grants We launch our and Technology opens Wingara Mura – Bunga Barrabugu (“Thinking path to A national system of higher make tomorrow”) strategy to The Charles education is introduced, encourage Aboriginal and Torres Perkins Centre, welcoming the former Sydney Strait Islander participation in a cross-disciplinary Institute of Education, the higher education research and education Institute of Nursing Studies, hub, opens with the the Cumberland College aim of developing of Health Sciences, Sydney life-changing solutions Conservatorium of Music and to global health Sydney College of the Arts problems including as faculties of the University obesity, diabetes, of Sydney cardiovascular disease and related conditions 9 The 193Os The Great Depression The world fell on hard times during In September 1931, the first full-length, the 1930s with the Great Depression Australian-made “talkie” films were produced and, in 1932, The Sentimental Bloke was released� causing widespread unemployment,