A selfie taken by Paul Gwynne at his farewell gathering.
Paul Gwynne joined the UNSW School of Civil & Environmental Engineering in 1990 with a two-year contract, and a PDMPMR (Polytechnic Diploma in Mineral Processing and Materials Reclamation) from Sheffield Polytechnic. He had come back to Australia after having met Catherine in Sydney, while backpacking around Australia.
Catherine joined Paul back in Birmingham a few months after they first met, and after two years in Birmingham they decided to settle down together and had to make the big decision – Sydney or Birmingham!
His first role at the School was in the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, then managed by the legendary Lindsay O’Keeffe who led technical excellence at the School for over forty years. Lindsay was an able mentor, and Paul soon settled in. The Head of School at the time (1989-1993) Prof Rob Fell, a geotechnical engineer and national expert on dams, was also very helpful to the newcomer.
UNSW stalwart Paul Gwynne
Technical staff apply substantial theoretical and technical knowledge – and experience – to develop and test laboratory systems and procedures, as well as interpreting test data for a range of technical experiments, undertake or support research experiments and prepare technical reports. They also very much support the pedagogical mission. As Paul quoted HoS Rob Fell: ‘It is essential that our students leave this School with practical ‘hands-on’ experience to complement their academic achievements’.
At the time of Paul’s arrival, a constantly changing tech environment had seen many previously secure technical roles across the university either made obsolete or outsourced. By the mid 1990s, the number of technical staff at the School had been halved. Those remaining were not exactly feeling the love – adapting to change was a constant challenge!
In 2000, Paul attended a National Conference for Technical Staff in Australian Universities, held at UTS. Upon his return Paul presented his experiences to a Forum for Technical Staff, and with help from the Staff Development Unit, put together a committee of enthusiastic staff to form TechNet, used for the exchange of ideas and equipment, including an internet Forum, across UNSW. It was a valuable asset to the UNSW community, facilitating resource sharing across the University, and seeking to improve the profile and development opportunities for technical staff. Paul chaired the Committee from 2000 to 2002, before he became Geotechnical Laboratory Manager at the School in 2003.
In 2000, Paul Gwynne established TechNet - used for the exchange of ideas and equipment, including an internet forum, across UNSW.
In 2009 Paul took up the new position of manager of the Infrastructure Laboratory. The Infrastructure Laboratory supported the teaching and research work of many civil engineering disciplines within the School – including geotechnical, heavy structures, materials, transport and construction management.
School Infrastructure Laboratory Staff with HoS 2020
Paul also led the School’s Workplace Safety Committee for twenty years. The Committee scheduled regular workplace inspections, authorised many and various training courses for staff and students, and resolved a wide range of OH&S issues. It liaised closely with UNSW Facilities Management and Faculty colleagues, all working within a constantly changing legal environment. And always with an acute awareness of the duties of a technological university, to keep safe the thousands of people – staff and students- working in its laboratories every day.
Paul Gwynne with Head of School and fellow motorcyclist, Professor Nasser Khalili.
Over the following fifteen years as the School continued to grow and expand, Paul oversaw and managed the almost constant refurbishment, transformation or addition of many laboratory facilities, including the Geotechnical Teaching and Research Lab, the Environmental Room, the extensive upgrade of the SE corner of the Lab Block, and most recently, expansion into the 6th floor of the June Griffith Building.
CVEN Workplace Safety Committee 2009
Through all the travails of running such a big ship, Paul was unfailingly polite, courteous and persevering. He experienced many dramas, but created none of his own.
At his retirement lunch, where many staff gathered to thank and farewell Paul for his work and his friendship, Paul said he was leaving with many happy memories of the kindness and support of colleagues, the leadership opportunities offered, and the hard but also satisfying work of infrastructure management in such a prestigious School. He thanked in particular his technical staff team, and said that he hoped he would be invited back to the School’s Christmas parties.
To which Head of School Nasser Khalili responded, ‘Of course you will, Paul! This School is still your home!’
