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Previous: University Coin CollectionNo more itemsAntiquities

Godfrey Tanner

Biography

When Godfrey Tanner came to Newcastle, he joined James Auchmuty and Brin Newton-John in the endeavour to create a traditional University here in the Hunter.

He was committed to the sporting life of the University. He founded the University Boat Club at Raymond Terrace largely with a legacy from a deceased great aunt. He was Patron of the Rugby League, Surfriding and Rowing Clubs, Vice-President of the University Rugby Club, a Member of the Venerable Gentlemen Cricket Team, was President of the Sports Union (1970 – 1974) and Vice-President of AUSA. For his service to sport he was awarded Life Membership of the Sports Union.

His commitment to student life was equally remarkable. He set up debating and Union Nights and helped organize the 1965 Universities Drama Festival. He was a member of the Union Board of Management (1975- 88), Trustee (1981-89) and Patron 1990 onwards. The new bar in the Shortland Union Building was affectionately named the Godfrey Tanner Bar in 1992 and he was awarded Life Membership of the Union.

He was Patron of the Engineering Fraternity and enjoyed close relationships with the Faculty of Engineering who later provided him with an office after official retirement.

His commitment to community life is reflected in his involvement in the Hill Residents’ Action Group, his membership of the Newcastle Club and his role with the Church as well as a variety of other activities. An active Anglican Churchman, he was for a number of years, between 1963 and 1988, a member of the Newcastle Diocesan Council and served on the General Synod Doctrine Commission for three years in the 1970’s.

Godfrey was a dedicated and active member of the Anglican Church and also openly gay. In 1970 he suggested the church recognize homosexual unions and issue 'trial marriages' to people under 21. 

He was an elected Member of University Council under the old Act, 1984-88 and was re-elected in 1999 under the 1989 Act as Convocation Member of University Council for a term which was due to expire later this year.

He was honoured with the title of Professor Emeritus (1993) and Hon. Doctor of the University (1994). In 1996 he was awarded Distinguished Membership of Convocation and some months later was elected Deputy Warden of Convocation; a term he held for two consecutive years. From 1997 he was an ambassador of alumni development for the University, regularly attending events. In 1999, the Brisbane Alumni Committee established an Alumni Medal in his name. He hosted the inaugural Alumni Gathering at the Athenaeum Club in London in 2000.

Godfrey’s commitment to students and his discipline is reflected in the fact that he continued to teach Sanskrit and help students right up until his death on Wednesday July 10, 2002.

________________________

The above text is an extract from his obituary on the Godfrey Tanner Society website and has been adapted to include information from his SMH obituary.

 

Last edited by: Aislinn
Date of BirthSeptember 24 1927Last edited by: AislinnDate of DeathJuly 10 2002Last edited by: AislinnOccupationEmeritus ProfessorLast edited by: Aislinn




Photograph
Professor Godfrey Tanner of Classics in Students Union,  the University of Newcastle, Australia - ca. late 1970s

Professor Godfrey Tanner of Classics in Students Union, the University of Newcastle, Australia - ca. late 1970s

Presentation of cheque to Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Australia, by (Mrs. Williams), Professor Tanner behind

Presentation of cheque to Vice-Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Australia, by (Mrs. Williams), Professor Tanner behind

Godfrey Tanner pictured with a portrait of himself, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Godfrey Tanner pictured with a portrait of himself, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner standing along side a portrait of himself, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner standing along side a portrait of himself, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified man at the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified man at the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified man at the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified man at the University of Newcastle, Australia

Godfrey Tanner with the Board of the University of Newcastle Union, [late 1970s]

Godfrey Tanner with the Board of the University of Newcastle Union, [late 1970s]

Godfrey Tanner addressing students, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Godfrey Tanner addressing students, the University of Newcastle, Australia

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Professor Godfrey Tanner at the opening of the Friends of the University Reading Room, Auchmuty Library, the University of Newcastle, Australia - 2 April 1998

Official University Function - Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified woman. Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function - Professor Godfrey Tanner with an unidentified woman. Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Roger Holmes (background right) with Godfrey Tanner (centre) and Bernie Curran (left), Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Roger Holmes (background right) with Godfrey Tanner (centre) and Bernie Curran (left), Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function -  Professor Godfrey Tanner,  Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function - Professor Godfrey Tanner, Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function - Professor Godfrey Tanner, Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function - Professor Godfrey Tanner, Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor Roger Holmes (background right) with Godfrey Tanner (centre) pictured on left, Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor Roger Holmes (background right) with Godfrey Tanner (centre) pictured on left, Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Roger Holmes. Pictured in foreground is Professor Godfrey Tanner, Jason Thornton (background left) with an unidentified man (right), Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

Official University Function, attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Roger Holmes. Pictured in foreground is Professor Godfrey Tanner, Jason Thornton (background left) with an unidentified man (right), Parliament House, NSW, Australia - c.1999

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Publication
Opus - Godfrey Tanner Issue, 2002

Opus - Godfrey Tanner Issue, 2002

Found Treasures : Cultural Collections, The University of Newcastle Library, Australia

Found Treasures : Cultural Collections, The University of Newcastle Library, Australia

Video
Godfrey Tanner's view on Sustainability

Godfrey Tanner's view on Sustainability

Professor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey TannerProfessor Godfrey Tanner
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Godfrey Tanner. Living Histories, accessed 04/02/2023, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/65228
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