The University of Newcastle, Australia

The spirit of the late Godfrey Tanner will look over students at the University of Newcastle with a portrait of the Emeritus Professor being hung at the Godfrey Tanner Bar in a special dedication ceremony on Thursday 12 May at 3pm.

The winner of the 2011 Godfrey Tanner Memorial Scholarship, first year Occupational Therapy student 19 year old Madison Crisp, will also be announced at the portrait hanging.

The scholarship, which was established by Godfrey himself but is now supported by community donations, assists financially disadvantaged students. This year there were 168 applications for the sole scholarship.

The 2011 scholarship winner will be announced before members of the Tanner Society, University staff past and present, former scholarship winners and ex-students of Godfrey‟s.

Godfrey Tanner was a well known Classics professor and eccentric who devoted the greater part of his life to the University of Newcastle and helping students. He was often seen riding his bicycle around Newcastle with his academic robes flowing behind him.

The portrait of Godfrey is by esteemed Australian artist Michael Legge-Wilkinson, who painted the piece in 1993 when he was a student studying at the University of Newcastle.

The portrait has been purchased by the Tanner Fund and donated to the University of Newcastle. A print of the portrait will hang in the University‟s Godfrey Tanner Bar, while the original will go into the University‟s art collection.

University of Newcastle Foundation Executive Officer and close personal friend of Godfrey, Dr Bernie Curran said that Godfrey was a champion of students.

“The back of the portrait features the words Attollens umero famamque et fata nepotum, which means 'Raising onto his shoulder the fame and fate of his descendants'.”

“Those words were very significant to Godfrey and something he took to heart. He believed it represents the commitment we make as a university to students and the community.”

Smaller prints of the portrait will be given to former Tanner scholars as well as donors of the scholarship.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the Godfrey Tanner Scholarship Fund can contact the UON Foundation on (02) 49217 453 or visit the website at www.newcastle.edu.au/foundation.

Media opportunity: The portrait hanging and scholarship announcement will take place at 3pm on Thursday 12 May at the Godfrey Tanner Bar, Shortland Union, Callaghan campus.

About the UON Foundation:
The UON Foundation is the platform for philanthropic support for the University of Newcastle. Donations help fund student scholarships, academic positions and research. The Foundation also aims to create and sustain relationships between the community, business, alumni and the University.

Media contact: Tanya Carlyle, UON Foundation Marketing & Communication Coordinator, (02) 4985 4178 or 0407 276 061.