Vale historian Patrick O’Farrell
8th January 2004
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| Patrick O’Farrell |
UNSW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rory Hume, said he was deeply saddened by the recent death of renowned historian, Emeritus Professor Patrick O’Farrell.
“Patrick had held a personal chair in history at UNSW since 1972 and was the first Scientia professor from the faculty of arts. He made landmark contributions to the study of Irish-Australian history and Australian Catholicism,” said Professor Hume.
“He also wrote a groundbreaking history of the University – UNSW A Portrait – which is now regarded as a model for institutional histories.”
“He was one of our most notable scholars and he will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues,” he said.
Patrick previously held visiting professorships at University College and Trinity College, Dublin and was a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
His other books include The Irish in Australia, for which he won the NSW Premier’s literary award for non-fiction, The Catholic Church and Community in Australia, Vanished Kingdoms, Ireland’s English Question: Anglo-Irish relations 1534-1971 and England and Ireland since 1800.
Patrick was born in NZ in 1933 to Irish immigrants. He gained an MA from the University of Canterbury and a PhD from the Australian National University and began lecturing at UNSW in 1959.
He is survived by his wife Deidre and five children, all of whom studied at UNSW.
“Patrick had held a personal chair in history at UNSW since 1972 and was the first Scientia professor from the faculty of arts. He made landmark contributions to the study of Irish-Australian history and Australian Catholicism,” said Professor Hume.
“He also wrote a groundbreaking history of the University – UNSW A Portrait – which is now regarded as a model for institutional histories.”
“He was one of our most notable scholars and he will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues,” he said.
Patrick previously held visiting professorships at University College and Trinity College, Dublin and was a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
His other books include The Irish in Australia, for which he won the NSW Premier’s literary award for non-fiction, The Catholic Church and Community in Australia, Vanished Kingdoms, Ireland’s English Question: Anglo-Irish relations 1534-1971 and England and Ireland since 1800.
Patrick was born in NZ in 1933 to Irish immigrants. He gained an MA from the University of Canterbury and a PhD from the Australian National University and began lecturing at UNSW in 1959.
He is survived by his wife Deidre and five children, all of whom studied at UNSW.
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| Neville Whiffen |
Vale pioneering graduate Neville Whiffen
Professor Hume said he was also saddened by the recent death of pioneering alumnus, Neville Whiffen. Neville held a diploma in industrial chemistry and chemical engineering and a master of science in chemical engineering from UNSW’s parent institutions, the Sydney Technical College and the University of Technology. He was also the recipient of the USA Medal of Freedom for his contributions to the WWII effort.
“Neville played a significant role in securing the site of UNSW’s Kensington campus for the then fledgling University,” said Professor Hume.
“He was also central to the formation of the Pioneers – early friends and the first diplomates and graduates of UNSW – which formed a part our 50th anniversary celebrations.
“It was fitting that Neville became the foundation convenor of the Pioneers’ group of the UNSW Alumni Association and its first representative Governor on the Alumni Board of Governors. Neville has been an outstanding contributor, supporter and friend to UNSW.”
Neville is survived by his wife Marjorie, son John and daughter Elizabeth.
Professor Hume said he was also saddened by the recent death of pioneering alumnus, Neville Whiffen. Neville held a diploma in industrial chemistry and chemical engineering and a master of science in chemical engineering from UNSW’s parent institutions, the Sydney Technical College and the University of Technology. He was also the recipient of the USA Medal of Freedom for his contributions to the WWII effort.
“Neville played a significant role in securing the site of UNSW’s Kensington campus for the then fledgling University,” said Professor Hume.
“He was also central to the formation of the Pioneers – early friends and the first diplomates and graduates of UNSW – which formed a part our 50th anniversary celebrations.
“It was fitting that Neville became the foundation convenor of the Pioneers’ group of the UNSW Alumni Association and its first representative Governor on the Alumni Board of Governors. Neville has been an outstanding contributor, supporter and friend to UNSW.”
Neville is survived by his wife Marjorie, son John and daughter Elizabeth.
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