Lumen Winter 2014 - Flipbook - Page 10
1930s
-1940s
Delivering growth in times of adversity
As the 1930s began, Australia, like much of the western world,
was in the grip of the Great Depression. Its economic success
rested largely on vital commodities such as wool and wheat
which were especially hard hit by the drop in international
demand. Yet in spite of these global challenges, the University
continued to grow and prosper. The Waite Agricultural Research
Institute emerged as the pre-eminent place for agricultural
research in Australia, positioning the nation well to respond
to changes in primary production. As society changed, the
University offered progressive new courses in economics,
social welfare, teacher training and many other disciplines. The
community also benefitted in many other ways, such as through
the establishment of the Footlights Club and the University
of Adelaide Theatre Guild, which continues to this day as an
enterprising and award-winning company.
The 1940s began with the University again depleted by the
absence of staff and students on active service. Many of those
who remained, especially in the scientific disciplines, were
seconded to military authorities.
The making of a legal pioneer
Breakthroughs in world health
Dame Roma Mitchell was destined to become one of Australia’s
most accomplished lawyers the day she set foot on the University of
Adelaide campus. She excelled in her law studies, completing her
course in four years instead of five and graduating in 1934 with the
David Murray Scholarship Award for the most brilliant student. She
began her search for justice during her university days, helping to form
the Women’s Law Students’ Society after being barred from joining
the existing society. It was the start of a 60-year relationship with the
University which continued when she returned as a lecturer in family
law, and through her appointments as a member of the Council and
as Chancellor from 1983 to 1990. She was the first woman to hold
the post of chancellor at an Australian university and only resigned
after taking up her appointment as Governor of South Australia in
1991. Dame Roma was a founding member of the University of
Adelaide Graduates Union and in 1985 was awarded the degree of
Doctor of the University for her distinguished service.
The 1940s produced two of the University of Adelaide’s most
distinguished medical graduates. Professor Frank Fenner completed
his Doctor of Medicine in 1942 and pioneered studies into how
common virus infections spread through the body. He played a major
role in the introduction of myxoma virus to
combat Australia’s rabbit plagues. Pioneering
researcher Dr Basil Hetzel, who completed
his postgraduate degree in 1949, made a
difference to the lives of millions with his
discovery that iodine deficiency was the cause
of severe brain damage among Papua New
Guinean highlanders. Global prevention of this
problem became his life’s work, leading to salt
iodisation programs in about 90 countries and
the protection of millions of children.
Dr Basil Hetzel
A life in music
Dr Miriam Hyde was one of Australia’s foremost pianists
and
nd
d co
composers
c
mp se during the 20th century, a distinguished
mpo
career
c
car
areer
eerr that
that
th
at be
began after she graduated from the University
o Ad
of
Adelaide
Adelai
Ade
l de
de in
i 1931 with a Bachelor of Music. Winning the
Elder
Eld
ld
der
e Overseas
O rse
Ove
rse
ea Scholarship to London’s Royal College of
Music,
Mus
usic
ic,
c,, she
sh
he studied
st
st
piano and composition before returning
t live
to
liv
ivve in
in Syd
Sydney.
S
ydn
yd
d
She returned to Adelaide and taught piano
an
and
nd mu
nd
musical
m
sica
sic
al p
perception at the Elder Conservatorium for a
short
sho
ho
ort
rt whi
while
wh
l an
le
a
and in 1975 was appointed Patron of the Music
Teachers’
T
Tea
each
c rs’
che
r Ass
A
As
Association
s
of South Australia.
Dame Roma Mitchell
By 1947, more than 25 per
cent of the University’s
students were ex-service
men and women.
Hyde
was
Drr Hyd
D
H
ew
ass a prolific composer of music and lyrics
who
ho wr
ho
wrote
otte over
ote
ovv 150 instrumental and vocal works in an
early
pastoral style and was an acclaimed
ea
ear
lyy 20th-century
20
20t
0th-c
h-c
-c
ce
international
concert pianist and music educator.
int
ntern
nt
e ati
ern
ationa
o lc
ona
Demonstrating
Dem
emons
em
mon
nstra
ns
atin
ttiin her commitment to supporting musical
education,
edu
ducat
cat
ca
ation
ion,
ion
on, Dr
D Hyde established the Miriam Hyde Award for
Teachers’
Association of South Australia, and
th
the
he Music
M sic
Mu
si Te
T
Tea
ea
donated
royalties from her autobiography to
d
do
o
support
the Elder Overseas Scholarship fund.
su
u
Dr Miriam Hyde in a newspaper clipping, 1936
8 Lumen | Winter 2014
