Robert Madgwick
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Bowden Madgwick, OBE (10 May 1905 – 25 March 1979), Australian teacher, soldier, academic and public servant, was the first vice-chancellor of the University of New England
from 1954 until 1966, and chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission
from 1967 until 1973.
Born in North Sydney
, New South Wales
in 1905, Madgwick was the second child of Richard and Annie Madgwick. Educated at Naremburn Public and North Sydney Boys High
schools, Madgwick entered the University of Sydney
on a scholarship, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics in 1927. After a short stint as a teacher, Madgwick returned to his alma mater as a temporary lecturer of economics in 1929.
In 1941, Madgwick joined the Army and was assigned to the Australian Army Education Service
and headed the new organisation as the Director of Army Education. Madgwick worked in this role and several others until the end of the war determining the future role of the federal government in the area of education.
At the end of the Second World War, Madgwick returned to academia, first at the Australian National University
, and then in 1946 he was appointed warden of the New England University College. Madgwick was later appointed as the first vice-chancellor when the college became a separate university in 1954. As vice-chancellor, Madgwick played a part setting the direction of the new university, with one innovation being the creation of distance education courses for students not studying on campus. Madgwick also worked hard on creating a relationship between the university and the general community of Armidale.
In 1966, Sir Robert retired from post of vice-chancellor and was appointed as chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission the following year. He served two terms as chairman, with great distinction, before being replaced by the Whitlam
government in 1973.
Sir Robert died in Hornsby, New South Wales
in 1979. A large public hall, a road and an annual lecture at the University of New England and a suburb of Armidale
, New South Wales
have been named after him.
University of New England, Australia
The University of New England is an Australian public university with approximately 18,000 higher education students. Its original and main campus is located in the city of Armidale in northern New South Wales....
from 1954 until 1966, and chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
from 1967 until 1973.
Born in North Sydney
North Sydney, New South Wales
North Sydney is a suburb and commercial district on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Sydney is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of North Sydney...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in 1905, Madgwick was the second child of Richard and Annie Madgwick. Educated at Naremburn Public and North Sydney Boys High
North Sydney Boys High School
North Sydney Boys High School is an academically selective, public high school for boys, located at Crows Nest in Sydney, Australia.- History :...
schools, Madgwick entered the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
on a scholarship, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics in 1927. After a short stint as a teacher, Madgwick returned to his alma mater as a temporary lecturer of economics in 1929.
In 1941, Madgwick joined the Army and was assigned to the Australian Army Education Service
Royal Australian Army Education Corps
The Royal Australian Army Educational Corps is a specialist corps within the Australian Army. Formed in 1949, the corps had its genesis in other services that existed within the Australian forces during World War I and World War II...
and headed the new organisation as the Director of Army Education. Madgwick worked in this role and several others until the end of the war determining the future role of the federal government in the area of education.
At the end of the Second World War, Madgwick returned to academia, first at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
, and then in 1946 he was appointed warden of the New England University College. Madgwick was later appointed as the first vice-chancellor when the college became a separate university in 1954. As vice-chancellor, Madgwick played a part setting the direction of the new university, with one innovation being the creation of distance education courses for students not studying on campus. Madgwick also worked hard on creating a relationship between the university and the general community of Armidale.
In 1966, Sir Robert retired from post of vice-chancellor and was appointed as chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission the following year. He served two terms as chairman, with great distinction, before being replaced by the Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
government in 1973.
Sir Robert died in Hornsby, New South Wales
Hornsby, New South Wales
* Highest Maximum Temperature: 42 °C* Lowest Maximum Temperature: 4.9 °C* Warmest Month: January* Coolest Month: July* Highest Precipitation: February* Lowest Precipitation: July-Notable residents:...
in 1979. A large public hall, a road and an annual lecture at the University of New England and a suburb of Armidale
Armidale, New South Wales
Armidale is a city in the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia. Armidale Dumaresq Shire had a population of 19,485 people according to the 2006 census. It is the administrative centre for the Northern Tablelands region...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
have been named after him.
See also
- Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
- University of New EnglandUniversity of New England, AustraliaThe University of New England is an Australian public university with approximately 18,000 higher education students. Its original and main campus is located in the city of Armidale in northern New South Wales....
- List of University of New England people