Professor Eric Hall, Metallurgy, (centre) on retirement from the University of Newcastle, Australia, (1988)

About the original

DescriptionThis photo appeared in the Campus Bulletin, Number 14, December 12, 1988 - February 10, 1989. The text was: "Staff House becomes wake - house. Seventy people enjoyed themselves at a Metallurgy Department re-union in the Staff House on December 1. The attendees were principally graduates in Metallurgy - some from as far back as 1960 to some just about to graduate. Retired staff members, graduate students and some old friends of the Department were also present. This year's graduates will be the last in Metallurgy from the University of Newcastle. This, together with the fact that the Metallurgy building is about to be re-cycled and the fact that Professor Eric Hall is about to retire, led to the organiser, Assoc. Professor Alan Oates, to describe the event as a wake. Alan referred to the changing fortunes of the Department in the last 30 years. In 1958, Metallurgy was considered so important to the area that the first Chair at Newcastle University College was to be in Metallurgy. Dr J. Taylor, from Glasgow, was offered the position, but eventually turned it down, making way for the appointment of E.O. Hall as Associate Professor in 1959. Professor Hall became inaugural Professor in 1963 and is, of course, also the exaugural Professor - perhaps an unique occurrence? Professor Oats expressed his sadness at the end of the Metallurgy degree program, not only at Newcastle but also at most other Australian universities. It was regrettable that national needs do not coincide with the interests of high school students in this case. In proposing a toast, Professor Oates paid tribute to the outstanding research achievements of Professor Hall and also recalled his considerable political skills. His research contributions have had a considerable influence on the design of alloys over the last 30 years and his skill as a politician could also be expressed in metallurgical terms: 'Trying to nail Eric was like trying to pick-up mercury with a fork' (plagiarised from Lloyd George). Although undoubtedly the end of an era in this University, the camaraderie between the graduates and their pride in their chosen profession led to calls for the next re-union. Perhaps at the renaissance?" Pictured: Professor Eric Hall (third from left) and Assoc. Professor Alan Oates (second from right) with some of the graduates in Metallurgy who attended the reunion. This image was scanned from a photograph in the University's historical photographic collection held by Special Collections. If you would like to comment on the photograph, please contact Special Collections or add a Recollection, using these instructions.InformationDatenot specifiedSourcehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/2568906153/

IdentifierP699

Relates to

CollectionUniversity of Newcastle HistorySubjectHallUniversity of Newcastle (N.S.W.)Newcastle (N.S.W.)Eric HallShortland Union BuildingThe UnionExhibition 1980s - UON

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RestrictionsThe image can be used for study and personal research purposes. If you wish to reproduce this image for any other purpose please contact Special Collections. Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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