59 Facts About Robert Madgwick

Robert Madgwick was the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England and served two terms as Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

In recognition of his contributions to education, Robert Madgwick was appointed to the Order of British Empire in 1962 and knighted in 1966.

The government accepted the plan and, from 1941 to 1946, Robert Madgwick served on active duty as Director of the Australian Army Education Service, which provided adult education services to the Army's 250,000 members during the conflict.

Until his retirement in 1966, Robert Madgwick presided over the school's expansion of its curriculum and facilities while promoting closer ties with the local community.

Robert Madgwick was born on 10 May 1905 in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Robert Madgwick was the second of three sons of Australian-born parents Richard Charlton Madgwick and Annie Jane Elston.

Robert Madgwick's father was a tram-driver in Sydney and his mother a dressmaker.

Robert Madgwick attended public school in Naremburn and North Sydney Boys High School.

Robert Madgwick graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics with first class honours in 1927 and shared the award of the first Sydney University Medal in Economics with Hermann Black.

Mills, in 1933 Robert Madgwick was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship.

In 1936 Robert Madgwick was a visiting Harbison-Higginbotham Scholar at the University of Melbourne.

Robert Madgwick held the position until 1940, often travelling to rural communities in the Northern Rivers and New England areas of New South Wales to present lectures.

Robert Madgwick disapproved of the SUEB's approach to its education program, finding it too rigid and conservative to appeal to a community of people with many different backgrounds and goals.

Later, Robert Madgwick explained more on his thoughts on adult education, saying,.

In 1938, as a member of the Australian Institute of International Affairs Robert Madgwick attended the British Commonwealth Relations Conference in Lapstone, New South Wales.

From September 1939 to March 1940, Robert Madgwick designed and managed an adult education scheme for the Sydney University Regiment, commanded by Victor Windeyer, based at Menangle.

Robert Madgwick was selected as its commander, titled "Assistant Adjutant General ", and commissioned with the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel.

Robert Madgwick travelled extensively supporting the AES's efforts, especially in the Northern Territory and New Guinea.

Robert Madgwick contributed a series of articles and editorials to Salt.

Robert Madgwick Menzies criticised the AES leadership of being biased towards the Australian Labor Party.

Robert Madgwick played a major role in the establishment of the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme to provide government assistance to ex-servicemembers to complete or undertake university education.

Duncan, which Robert Madgwick then implemented in part at the University of New England in 1948.

Robert Madgwick later explained that these experiences at the federal government level influenced his belief that adult education programs should be decentralised to the state level.

Robert Madgwick helped keep the AES's journal Current Affairs Bulletin alive by persuading the Commonwealth Office of Education to take over management of the journal and added that the experience with Australian National University helped him in later establishing the University of New England as an independent school.

Robert Madgwick enthusiastically supported the idea and instructed his college's staff to begin preparing an external studies program.

Robert Madgwick felt that these potential issues could be overcome by careful administration and appropriate financial support from the government.

In setting up the program, Robert Madgwick directed that the program's instructors participate in internal education and should be considered on a par with their internal colleagues.

In 1948, Robert Madgwick secured a government grant to expand the school's adult education program.

Eberle, with Robert Madgwick's support, selected courses based on feedback from the local populace as to what they wanted to study, rather than adhering to the University of Sydney's established curriculum.

Robert Madgwick journeyed to England and the United States to consult with agriculturalists, veterinarians, and specialists in animal husbandry.

Robert Madgwick's paper, submitted later that year, was titled, "Planning Rural Science and Possible Curriculum".

Agricultural economics was another discipline in which Robert Madgwick hoped to differentiate New England, as no other university in Australia offered such a degree.

Robert Madgwick felt that the program would be applicable to issues facing the New England community.

Robert Madgwick made numerous public appearances, speaking at or attending university matriculation ceremonies, university services held at cathedrals in Armidale, annual commemoration of benefactors ceremonies, bestowals of honorary degrees on local figures, and Albert Joseph Memorial orations.

In September 1956 Robert Madgwick visited communities along the Clarence River which were experiencing difficulties with agricultural economic downturns, damaging floods, and population erosion, and promised, "the full force of the University" to assist in the region's community development.

In 1961, Robert Madgwick was elected first president of the Australian Association of Adult Education.

Robert Madgwick was frequently absent from his official duties from 1963 to 1966 due to ill health.

In recognition of his contributions to education and community improvement, Robert Madgwick was bestowed the honour of Knight Bachelor on 1 January 1966.

Robert Madgwick retired from the University of New England in December 1966.

In retirement, Robert Madgwick moved to Canberra and worked as a consultant for John Gorton, Minister of Education, advising on grants to teachers colleges.

Robert Madgwick continued as a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, council member of Australian National University, a member of the Development Corporation of New South Wales, member of the University Club in Sydney, chaired the New South Wales Advisory Committee on Cultural Grants from 1968 to 1975, and acted as Director of Longmans, Pty.

In May 1967, Robert Madgwick was chosen to replace James Darling as chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Robert Madgwick was chosen as Darling's replacement, reportedly because he was considered unidentified with any political party and was widely respected.

Robert Madgwick asked the advice of Louis Matheson and Philip Baxter of the Vice-Chancellor's Committee.

The next day Robert Madgwick informed Gorton and Alan Hulme, the Postmaster-General who governed the ABC, that he would accept the position.

Robert Madgwick considered his position as similar to a university president, with managers and producers equivalent to professors and researchers.

Robert Madgwick bought a home in Mosman to be closer to the ABC's main Broadcast House in Sydney.

Robert Madgwick tried to make himself available by walking around the offices and facilities and amiably conversing with all ABC employees.

Robert Madgwick was described as the most popular chairman in the history of the organisation.

Robert Madgwick was given a second term as chairman in 1970.

Robert Madgwick was usually on good terms with Hulme, although like with Darling they sometimes disagreed on the content of ABC's current affairs shows, especially This Day Tonight.

Robert Madgwick followed it up that evening by giving an interview on ABC's 7 o'clock news in which he explained his views on the proper relation between the government and the ABC.

On every occasion, Robert Madgwick, accompanied by ABC general manager Talbot Duckmanton, travelled to Canberra to answer each committee's questions.

In early 1973, in an effort to foster a more independent organisation, Robert Madgwick asked Whitlam if the ABC's employees could be removed from the Public Service Board, which administered the Commonwealth government employment system.

Privately, Robert Madgwick felt that Whitlam wanted him replaced because Whitlam suspected Robert Madgwick and his vice-chairman of being biased in favour of the previous government.

Robert Madgwick was a member of the Killara Golf Club, Commonwealth Club of Canberra, and the University Club of Sydney.

Robert Madgwick married widow Eileen Hilda McGrath, nee Wall at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Wahroonga on 12 January 1971.

Robert Madgwick died on 25 March 1979 at Hornsby, New South Wales, and was cremated.

Robert Madgwick was survived by his wife and three daughters from his first marriage.