Graduation speakers to offer words of wisdom from long experience

Wednesday 28 September 2005

The three people who will deliver the occasional addresses at the University of Newcastle's Graduation Ceremonies this Thursday, will speak from the benefit of long experience and dedication.

The speakers, Peter Cockbain, next President of Engineers Australia, Dr John O'Brien, Managing Director of Jurox (a veterinary pharmaceutical company) and Dr Alan Barcan, eminent teacher and educator, writer and historian.

Peter Cockbain will deliver his address at the 10am ceremony, John O'Brien at 2pm and Dr Barcan at the 6pm ceremony.

All have a wealth of diverse experience and interests.

Peter Cockbain, Technical Director of Ampcontrol Pty. Limited, embodies the ethos of the link between technical and university education. Starting off in an electrical trades certificate at Cessnock TAFE during the 1950's, Peter attained a number of electrical trades qualifications prior to undertaking the Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Newcastle he completed in 1972.

With a work history that spans from fitter, foreman, technical sales representative, project engineer to starting his own company, Ampcontrol (an electrical/electronic design, manufacturing and distribution company) in 1968, Peter has a wealth of expertise and experience to draw from to pass on to the graduates.

Nominated as the next President of Engineers Australia, Peter has participated in a number of associations and boards including the Institution of Engineers Australia, Standards Australia Electrotechnology Advisory Board, Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturing Association Board, Standards Australia Electricity Standards Awards, the University's Convocation Management and also the Advisory Board of the University's Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment.

However, work hasn't been his only focus. Peter and his wife have three children and seven grandchildren and he lists his interests as Engineering Heritage, Veteran and Vintage Motor Cars and Motorcycles and Australian Native Flora and Fauna.

Dr John O'Brien, who will speak at the 2pm ceremony, graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1963.

He too has a diverse range of research, commercial and community experience. After a stint at post-graduate teaching and research at both Sydney and Melbourne Universities, he became the Director of Hawthorne Park Research Laboratories, a company that conducted research into the efficacy and toxicology of Veterinary Drugs and from there to Managing Director of Lane Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of Animal Health and Agriculture Chemicals.

John established his own company, Kemcon Pty Ltd, one of the largest manufacturers of Pesticide and Agricultural chemicals in Australia, a company he subsequently sold to Bayer Germany in 1987.

Then in 1988, he developed the family owned Jurox Pty. Ltd. to be the largest Australian owned pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor of veterinary products. The company now has a New Zealand subsidiary and has conducted respected research and development in both small molecule and biotechnology development.

Along with this, John manages the family's cattle farming interests at Cassilis and Dunedoo.

Veterinary matters are not the only areas of business that attract him. He was the Chairman of the Hunter Valley Grammar School from 1991 to 1995 and has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Palmer Corporation Limited, a public company and leading fashion and design house that marketed clothes and accessories under the Jag and Adele palmer labels in Australia and New Zealand.

He is currently Chairman of the Hunter Area Consultative Committee, established by the Federal Government to assist with the distribution of Federal funds under the Regional Partnership Scheme and is also chairman of the company that owns the Hunter Pirates professional basketball team.

Dr Alan Barcan
, who will deliver the occasional address at the evening (6pm) Graduation Ceremony, is an inspired choice of speaker in the University's 40th anniversary year. He has been a true friend to the University, being involved with its establishment and a member of the academic fraternity for many years. He will be presented with the University of Newcastle Exceptional Service Medal by the Chancellor, Professor Trevor Waring.

Alan, who in the early 1950's, was a member of the University of Newcastle Establishment Group which lobbied for the establishment of an autonomous university in Newcastle, is an eminent educator and historian and played an important role in the development of school curriculum from the 1960's through to the 1980's.

He was appointed to the foundation staff of the Newcastle Teachers' College in 1949 and while still a member of staff at the Teachers' College, delivered lectures at the University College established at Tighes Hill in 1952. He subsequently became a member of the University's academic staff, lecturing in the history of education and retired at the end of 1986.

Alan has made a major contribution to the teaching of history in New South Wales. Apart from lecturing in history and training history teachers, he was active in the New South Wales History Teachers' Association and edited and contributed to a number of secondary school history textbooks.

His Master of Arts, Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy theses were all on history or the history of education. He has also published extensively.

Alan's writings throughout his career have been highly regarded and influential. His books on the history of education in New South Wales are regarded as seminal works, while his history of Australian education became the first book on Australian education to be translated into Japanese. In retirement he has continued teaching in these areas through involvement in adult education courses and the University of the Third Age, an outstanding record of achievement and service.

Although Alan gained his academic qualifications mostly from the University of Sydney, he proudly points out that his whole family - his wife and his four children are all graduates of the University of Newcastle.

"Both as a member of academic staff and as a family member, it has always been a great thrill to witness those Graduation ceremonies. This year, it's a little different. They will be watching me receive this medal from the University. I am honoured by this recognition and very pleased and proud." Alan says.