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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-11-20 Daily Xml
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University of Adelaide

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (17:37): I move:

That this house—

(a) notes that 2014 is the 140th anniversary of the University of Adelaide;

(b) acknowledges the significant achievements of the university, past and present; and

(c) promotes the future of the university as a world-class institution.

Established in 1874, the university is the third oldest in Australia and the first to admit women to academic courses in 1881. It is only the second university in the world to admit women, a reflection of, I suppose you would say, the pioneering social changes that had begun within South Australia and affected the entire nation. In another first, the university became the first in Australia to grant degrees in science.

In addition, obviously it can boast many influential and successful alumni today including Sir William Henry Bragg and his son, William Lawrence Bragg, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1915; physiologist Thorburn Brailsford Robertson, who was the first to manufacture insulin using the university's Darling building in 1923; and, some 22 years later, Adelaide Medical School graduate Lord Howard Florey (whom you would have heard of, Deputy Speaker), who was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine with his research partners for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effects—and would you believe that I am allergic to penicillin but it is good for everyone else perhaps.

Members interjecting:

Mr TARZIA: There you go. I can see some members writing that down. The University of Adelaide has even educated a prime minister of Australia (we have to give her that credit), the incumbent President of Singapore, South Australia's first NASA astronaut, an outstanding 107 Rhodes scholars, and it has many other notable alumni including members of both my party room and also the government of the day.

Additionally, it was the university's physics department, led by professor John Carver, who launched Australia's first satellite in conjunction with the Weapons Research Establishment in 1967. It has long encouraged the pioneering spirit, as evidenced by the appointment of Sir Douglas Mawson as lecturer of mineralogy and petrology in 1905, a position he held until 1920, during which time he and his team completed their historic journey and expedition to the South Magnetic Pole.

This motion congratulates the University of Adelaide on what has been, certainly, an exceptional 140 years. It has truly become a world-class institution and I am certain that, as the university moves into the future, it shall remain a leader in its field producing world-class graduates. I also congratulate the newly appointed Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, and know that he will do a wonderful job.

During my time at the University of Adelaide I was extremely grateful for the affordable education that we get in terms of the tertiary system. I was lucky enough to complete a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance) at the University of Adelaide. Education aside, I can honestly say that I have wonderful memories of my time at Adelaide University, and I thank the university for the education it has provided not only to people in my electorate but also across South Australia. I believe that the South Australian government, and also the opposition, have a role to facilitate education in this state and to ensure that universities make our graduates the best that they can be once they complete their tertiary studies.

A particular of interest of mine is I would like to see the government work closely in partnership with the University of Adelaide in relation to the commercialisation of intellectual property. I think it is fair to say that, whilst we do have some great grassroots stuff happening, unfortunately, we do lose some of that. I would like to see more in that space. But, on the whole, I do note that 2014 is their 140th anniversary. I acknowledge the achievement of the university and commend them, and I will be certainly ensuring that I can do everything I can, and on this side of the chamber we will do whatever we can, to promote the future of the university as a world-class institution for many years to come.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (17:42): In adding my hearty congratulations to the University of Adelaide on this amazing milestone, I would like to comment also, as the member for Hartley has just done, on the fact that Lord Howard Florey was a graduate of the medical school there, but to remind the house also that he was ably supported by his wife, who is not mentioned at all in the work that went into perfecting the manufacture of penicillin. It was actually she who pedalled backwards and forwards (at Oxford, admittedly), with the samples of urine to remove the drug. As the manufacture of the drug became more reliable, it was necessary to actually distil it from the patients who had taken it. Her role in that is not spoken of at all.

There is another famous alumni of the University of Adelaide, and I refer to Muriel Matters, of course. Is there no story that we can attach her to? Of course, she studied both music and elocution at the University of Adelaide, under the tutelage of Edward Reeves. His other famous student was, of course, Lionel Logue, of The King's Speech fame, and there is not a single person here who has not seen that movie and marvelled at it.

Of course, the wonderful archives of the University of Adelaide, which I have referred to many times, have helped establish the Muriel Matters Society. Her name does not appear on any graduate lists, unfortunately, but perhaps I just have not found the right list yet. Another person I would like to mention is Mary O'Kane, a former vice-chancellor, who went on to become the government scientist. She has done much fine work. Of course, the university has produced many fine student politicians, and Julia Gillard, of course, our esteemed former prime minister, now returned to South Australia. In adding my very short comments, I hope that the university celebrates its 140 years of academia in fine style, and I wish them all the very best for the next 140 years, and more.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (17:44): I rise to speak in support of the motion that has been brought to the house by the member for Hartley, and I congratulate him for doing so. I am very sad to hear about his allergy to penicillin. I hope that they have other—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: We will remember that. I hope that there are alternatives to penicillin that you are able to take. One of the things that I found very interesting when having a look at this was the statement that was made by the University of Adelaide at the time of its commencement 140 years ago, on 6 November, and that was:

…to prepare for South Australia young leaders shaped by education, rather than birth, in a settlement free of any social or religious inequalities of the old world.

I find that to be a very good and noble statement. As we have been discussing, on 6 November 2014, the University of Adelaide commemorated a significant milestone, the 140th anniversary of its establishment. The University of Adelaide is one of only four universities established before Federation. Since the first graduate received his degree in 1879, more than 160,000 students have graduated from the university, including students from more than 90 countries, and I happen to fall into that category: I am one of the 160,000 students.

The University of Adelaide has also been a leader of social reform, both in South Australia and the nation. It was the first university in Australia and, at the time, only the second in the world to admit women into academic courses, in 1881. A year later, it awarded the first science degree in Australia. Its first science graduate—indeed, the first woman graduate—graduated in that year, and it was a woman who graduated in the field of science during that time. The university has produced more than 100 Rhodes scholars—I can safely say that I was not one of those—including Australia's first Indigenous Rhodes Scholar, in 2010. I think that we all remember—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, and she is still a constituent of mine, Rebecca Richards. I was so proud that day she was announced as Australia's and South Australia's Rhodes Scholar from the University of Adelaide. The university has five Nobel laureates among its alumni, including father and son William and Lawrence Bragg, and everyone knows about the work they have done. In fact, unlike other things, that is something to brag about, the fact that they are a very famous Nobel prize-winning pair, along with winning scientist Howard Florey, who, as we mentioned earlier, is the co-discover of penicillin. I do not want to—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, he was the perfector of the manufacture of it.

The Hon. P. CAICA: The manufacture, not the co-discoverer?

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: No.

An honourable member: He enabled its production.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: That's correct; he enabled its production.

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, he enabled its production.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: As we all know, Louis—

The Hon. P. CAICA: I am very thankful for that correction made by the member for Florey. If there is anyone in this house who knows anything about Florey, it should be the member for Florey. I apologise to the house for almost misleading the house, but I thank her for the correction she has provided. The tradition of excellence goes on, with many more distinguished alumni of the university making significant contributions to the world of politics, the arts and humanities, law and medicine. Believe it or not, Deputy Speaker, eight premiers of this state, including our present Premier, are graduates of this eminent institution. In fact, I think the Deputy Premier might even be a graduate of—

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: And the deputy leader.

The Hon. P. CAICA: And the deputy leader. The list goes on and on. The University of Adelaide has a lot to answer for! I will leave it at that. We can be very proud of the significant contribution—

The Hon. S.W. Key interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I did mention the Premier. It has made a significant contribution in a variety of areas. This year, the University of Adelaide took home four of the nine categories at the 2014 South Australian Science Excellence Awards, including Professor Anthony Thomas being awarded South Australian Scientist of the Year.

Aside from these honours, the university has contributed to the architectural and aesthetic beauty of the city, with landmark heritage buildings on North Terrace helping to create one of Australia's most memorable precincts. One only has to walk down North Terrace to see one of the good things that the Public Works Committee did a long time ago: approve the project that opened up that vista. All visitors to South Australia marvel at the architectural and aesthetic beauty of that particular precinct.

On the matter of research—and it was touched on by the member for Hartley—I know that the university has a very proud history. For a while I was the higher education and science minister, something I was very proud to be. I look forward to the university continuing in those areas of research and collaborating with the other two fantastic universities in our state, continuing to research areas of individual interest as well as joint interests.

One of the things that universities do not do that well, and Adelaide is no exception, is, if you like, transitioning from research to the marketplace. I think it is important that the university takes a more active role and hones its skills, as we have seen in American universities, particularly in Boston, transitioning from research to the marketplace. The university (in this case the University of Adelaide) and the state in which it is located will benefit by marketing that research.

It has been a significant 140-year history for the University of Adelaide. On behalf of this house, and certainly this side, I congratulate the university on this milestone and wish it continued success as it moves towards its 150th anniversary in 2024.

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (17:51): I think there are probably dozens of members who would want to speak on this motion if they had the chance, but with eight minutes before the house is due to rise, I will have speak very briefly, certainly for those on this side of the house, those alumni, those graduates who appreciated the opportunity to study at the University of Adelaide, in addition to the member for Hartley. On their behalf I would like to say that those who studied at the University of Adelaide have a lot to be grateful for. The opportunity to have this world-class institute that punches above its weight in so many ways here on our doorstep, just next door to the building where we are, is magnificent.

I was able to study under amazing academics, such as Bryan Coughlin, David Hester and Wayne Cristaudo in particular, and I know that most students who take the opportunity to graduate from the University of Adelaide had similar extraordinary experiences. 140 years is a significant milestone. The Canberra Press Gallery, the parliaments of Australia, the research laboratories of Australia and around the world are well and truly over represented by University of Adelaide alumni, and it is a testament to the fine institution that it is, along with all sorts of professional fields, all sorts of places that people can be proud of. I commend the member for Hartley for bringing this motion to the house. He is a fine member and does a great job.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:52): I add my congratulations to the 140 successful years of the university. Much has been said about a number of the graduates. I do not have a lot in common with Julia Gillard, but we are both graduates of the university. Importantly, she was present at the 140th celebration dinner of the university just recently and spoke fondly of her appreciation of her time at the university. She has an acknowledged honorary position, I think a doctorate, from the university and, as a former prime minister, that is fitting.

I did note that she was pleased to be back in South Australia and paying taxes to ensure the government was kept fully flushed with funds and support. She was scathing, of course, of the emergency services levy that night in the presence of the Premier. I am sorry that he did not take much notice of her, obviously, but, in any event, she seems to be a willing and gracious resumed resident in South Australia and she is happy to make her contribution generally. As I say, she was not too happy about the emergency services levy.

I want to place on the record my thanks to all of those who have served on boards in the time that I have been here in the parliament, including Robert de Crespigny; former Justice von Doussa; more recently Robert Hill, a former senator from South Australia in the federal parliament; and former governor Kevin Scarce, who has recently been appointed as Chancellor. I wish him well in that regard. I give notice to any of the chancellors or board members that, if they attempt to sell assets that are bequeathed, I will be on their case. I have never been happy with the sale of Munduney, Moralana or Martindale, and my attempts here to require cabinet approval for the sale of assets will be reintroduced at every opportunity should they act in that manner.

I am proud to be a graduate and very proud of the work they do in contributing to the academic advancement of South Australians and across the world in the academic services they offer, but they should be thinking twice before they sell off any assets otherwise I, among others, will be on their case.

Motion carried.

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