Fred R Blanks AM (BSc Hons '48) After graduating from the University, Fred Blanks joined ICI Australia (now ORICA) and worked in Organic Chemistry research and managerial activities until his retirement in 1984. However, his profession as a scientist has always been balanced by his other great passion: music. 

- Last updated 16/02/07

 

Frederick Dobbin AM (BSc '43 DipEd '44) was a student of the New England University College of the University of Sydney from 1940 to 1943. In February 1944 he commenced duty at the NSW Department of Education. He was alderman and mayor of the City of Orange from 1968 to 1974. In December 1982 he retired as foundation principal of the Canobolas High School, Orange. He was elected honourable life member of the NSW Teachers Federation in 1978, and in 1982 he was elected honourable life member of the Council of NSW High School Principals. In 1983 he was admitted to membership of the Order of Australia for Service to Education and the Community, and in 1998 he became a fellow of the Australian Numismatic Society.

- Last updated 19/06/06

 

Diana Encel (nee Hovev) (BSc '48) has become a biographer and fiction writer in her retirement. Her book Jewish Country Girls was published in 2005. She also has short stories included in anthologies published by the Company of Writers. 

- Last updated 19/06/06

 

Dr Rex Fortescue (BDS '48, MDS '54) became president of the Academy of Dentistry International on 1 November 2005. The ADI is committed to dental education in under-privileged areas world-wide.
- Last updated 2/02/06 

 

Dr Catherine Hamlin AC (MBBS '46 MD (Honoris Causa) '05) has devoted almost 50 years of her professional life to relieving the pain and misery of many thousands of young Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistulae.
- Last updated 15/12/05

 

Jean Newall (BA '45 DipEd '46) was awarded an OAM in this year's Australia Day Honours. She was recognised for her many years of community work in the field of local history, particularly for Armidale's New England Girls' School (NEGS) and St Peter's Anglican Cathedral. Jean was the first woman president of the Armidale and District Historical Society, of which she has been made a life member. The archives centre which she founded and maintains at NEGS was recently renamed the Jean Newall Archives Centre. 

- Last updated 19/06/06

 

Jack Plewa (BA '46 DipEd '47) was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (AM) in the 2006 Australia Day Honours list. The award was presented in recognition of outstanding services and commitment for over 60 years to education and young people, to the Goulburn district, and to the wider Australian community. Jack is a former teacher and headmaster at Goulburn High School, and served in the Second AIF during World War 2.

- Last updated 19/06/06

 

 

Margaret Cleghorn's (MBBS '39) medical positions after graduation were:

In 1945 Margaret married Reverand Alan Cleghorn (BA '37). She has been a widow since 1960. She turned 92 in May 2006. Margaret now lives at Balwyn in Melbourne with her son, Reverand John Alan Cleghorn (BA '68, BD DipEd AMusA (Melb). She has three sons and one daughter. 
- Last updated 16/06/06

 

Emeritus Professor Sir John Cornforth AC, CBE, FRS (BSc '38 MSc '39 DSc '77) was the University's first Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry in 1975. Around 1969 Cornforth collaborated with Hermann Eggerer, and together they solved the problem of the "asymmetric methyl group", which was used to explore the stereochemical course of many enzymic reactions vital to the functioning of living cells.
- Last updated 16/02/07

 

Noni Durack (BA '38 Dip Ed '39 MA '50) has published her second novel, A Kimberly Story - Beyond The Legend. The novel is based on the decision to dam the Ord River to create Lake Argyle.
- Last updated 8/02/06

 

Benn Selby (B Sc '36) received one of two icon awards, granted by Science Industry Australia, in recognition of his role in the management of the former H.B. Selby Australia Ltd. and as chairman of Trustees of the Continuing Selby Scientific Foundation.
- Last updated 8/02/06