Lumen Summer 2015 - Flipbook - Page 14
story by Candy Gibson
Daniell clan celebrate a
century of connection
The impact of a University of Adelaide education has
spread far and wide for one Adelaide family whose
connection goes back 100 years.
F
our generations of the Daniell/Crisp/
Mattner families have attended the
University since Edward Mattner
enrolled to study arts, science and
education before enlisting in World War I
and serving on the Western Front.
In the intervening century, more than 20
extended family members have walked
across the graduation dais in Bonython
Hall to receive their degree parchments.
In fields as diverse as engineering,
arts, science, agriculture, medicine and
maths, the family has left an indelible
mark on the world.
They include a Rhodes Scholar (Finlay
Crisp in 1938) and Australia’s only siblings
to win the country’s most prestigious
postgraduate prize, the John Monash
Scholarship (Katherine and James Daniell).
The latter’s parents, Trevor and Anne
Daniell (engineering and arts graduates
respectively), say their family owes much
to the University.
“Four generations of our family have
studied here and the education they have
received has given them the confidence and
skills to go out into the world and achieve
in their respective fields,” Anne said.
“Obviously, an academic qualification
from Adelaide has given us the best
start in life, but the benefits go far
beyond that. The whole experience of
university life here, including our family’s
involvement in numerous sporting,
music, language and other clubs, has
enriched our lives enormously.”
Associate Professor Trevor Daniell, a
water resources expert in the School of Civil,
Environmental and Mining Engineering, said
his experience as an undergraduate student
laid the foundation for a fulfilling life.
“Through sport at the University I met
a huge cross section of people who have
become friends for life. The leadership
skills developed through my association
with different clubs and associations has
served me – and my children – extremely
well in all aspects of our lives,” he said.
Anne’s uncle, Finlay Crisp, helped
establish the National Union of Australian
University Students, the forerunner to the
Australian Union of Students (AUS).
The 1938 Rhodes Scholar
became Director General of Postwar
Reconstruction and later in his life served
as Chair of the Commonwealth Bank.
Edward Mattner MC DCM MM became
one of Australia’s most highly decorated
soldiers in the First World War and
later entered federal politics, becoming
President of the Senate.
Fast forward three generations to
Katherine Daniell and her brother James,
who are both University Medallists.
The two, who followed in their father’s
footsteps and studied Civil Engineering,
have benefitted from University of Adelaide
scholarships which enabled them to study
part of their degrees abroad.
Four generations of
our family have studied
here and the education
they have received has
given them the confidence
and skills to go out into the
world and achieve in their
respective fields.
Anne Daniell
12 Lumen | Summer 2015
“The exposure to other cultures and
countries was possible because of the
University and it has given them a much
broader life experience than otherwise
would be possible,” Trevor said.
“Their immersion in all aspects of
university life, including studying a
language and befriending many foreign
students, also played a major role in
helping them win the John Monash
Award – Australia’s equivalent to the
Rhodes Scholarship.”
Katherine, graduate in Civil Engineering
and Arts, has a joint Doctorate from
AgroParisTech and the Australian National
University, and is now a Fellow at ANU’s
Centre for European Studies. She has
worked in France, Australia, Bulgaria
and the Pacific on projects related
to water governance, sustainable
development, and international science
and technology cooperation.
James graduated from the University
with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
and Bachelor of Science, and went on to
gain a Master of Science in earthquake
engineering and engineering seismology
from the Universities of Grenoble and
Pavia and a Doctor of Engineering summa
cum laude from the Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology in Germany. He has formed
his own consulting company for modelling
risk from natural disasters.
This year marks the 100th anniversary
of the Daniell/Crisp/Mattner clan’s
connection to the University.
“It’s a wonderful milestone and it makes
me feel proud to have been a part of its
history,” Trevor said.
Inset: The Daniell family. Three generations:
James and Katherine Daniell, Trevor and Anne
(nee Crisp) Daniell and Margaret (nee Mattner) Crisp
Right: Anne and Trevor Daniell
