Robert Madgwick

Abstract

Prior to WWII Robert Bowden Madgwick (1905-1979), a Sydney boy of humble background and initially trained as a school teacher, had begun an academic career in Economic History following a degree in Economics and Economic History from the University of Sydney. There he shared the University Medal, and then, on scholarship, had completed his D.Phil. in Oxford. From 1938, however, he was the fulltime Secretary of the University of Sydney's Extension Board, for which he had himself presented lectures, many in northern rural areas. From September 1939, he was busy designing development courses for Army personnel and similar schemes for the allied services. In these services he was quickly promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and in 1943, he became the Director of Army Education. An exceptional administrator, Madgwick played a major part in establishing the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme for after the war. He transferred to the Reserve of Officers in 1946, first working as secretary of the interim council of the Australian National University while championing the cause of adult education, but, disappointingly, his claims for a Commonwealth-funded national system were thwarted by a lack of support from either the Federal government or the Opposition. In February 1947 Madgwick won the post of Warden of New England University College (in Armidale), and when that institution became the University of New England in 1954, he was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor.