Brian Gilligan, Newton-John Award Winner, 1987

About the original

DescriptionThis photo appeared in the News, Volume 13, Number 2, March 2 to 16, 1987. The text was: "Award for wetlands management A University of Newcastle graduate who is an expert on environmental education has been selected to receive Convocation's 1986 Newton-John Award. Mr Brian Gilligan, Acting Director of the Shortland Wetlands Centre and local teacher, will be presented with the award at a dinner in the Union on 27 March. He is the first environmental educator to be honoured with the Newton-John Award, although two pervious winners came from the teaching profession. Mr Gilligan was born in Scone where his late father was a farmer. He went to a private school in Lismore. Leaving this University with a BA degree in 1968 (majors in Geography and Geology) he worked as an exploration geologist in Papua New Guinea and Queensland. He has spent most of this life as a teacher in Newcastle, initially at Whitebridge High School and for several years at Raymond Terrace High School. He was award a Diploma in Education in 1971 and received an MA in 1980, his thesis employed research in wetland biogeography. In 1976, Mr Gilligan was appointed teacher in-charge of the Awabakal Field Studies Centre at Dudley. Recently the Department of Education agreed to the Shortland Wetlands Centre being treated as and annex of the Awabakal Centre and Mr Gilligan was transferred to the Shortland Centre, while another teacher was appointed to the Awabakal Centre. Mr Kevin McDonald, Senior Lecturer in Science at Newcastle CAE, says in support of his nomination of Mr Gilligan: As a graduate of the University Brian Gilligan has a proven track record as an educational innovator and has made a contribution of lasting value to the Hunter Region in his administration of both the Awabakal Field Studies Centre and the Shortland Wetlands Centre. He has, in addition, contributed significantly to the application of scientific principles and research to important area of wetlands conservation and management. The Shortland Wetlands Centre is a flourishing education and research establishment set in the wetlands reserve off Sandgate Road. The centre welcomes visitors (more than 5,000 people and 4,300 school students last year), who obtain information on the wetlands nature reserve by using walking trails, a theatrette, a library and educational displays. As well as filling the honorary position of director of the centre, Mr Gilligan has established a consultancy in natural systems management which has been incorporated into the Centre's operations. The consultancy has become increasingly important as a means of increasing turnover as several organisations ask of advice. To help develop this operation, Mr K. Markwell was recently appointed as Research Officer. In an interview for the University News Mr Gilligan said the Shortland Wetlands Centre had accomplished a lot partly because of the public's concern at dwindling natural recourses and also because of the growing awareness of the value of rainforests, coastline, estuaries and national parks. He reacted proudly to his selection as the winner of the Newton-John Award. He said it was a thrilling culmination to his long association with the University beginning in 1965. "Of course the award is made not just to me it is an indication of the acceptance by the University and the public of the areas in which I have been working and reflects credit on a whole range of people associated with environmental education an the centre in particular. Mr Gilligan will be the twelfth person to receive a Newton-John Award since the Convocation instituted the award as recognition for Newcastle University graduates for innovation or creativity, with originality and lasting value or aesthetic value or benefit to the community at the chief criteria. The award is not a cash grant, or prize, but a work of art executed by an artist from this region. The panel which selected the winner was the Warden of Convocation, Father James Bromley, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Morgan, the President of the Hunter Branch of the Australian Federation of University - Women NSW, Judy Cowley, and an ABC radio announcer, Libby Sanders." 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/2535649604/

IdentifierP613

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CollectionUniversity of Newcastle HistorySubjectBrian GilliganUniversity of Newcastle (N.S.W.)Newcastle (N.S.W.)Exhibition 1980s - UON Last edited by: Paige Wright

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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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