Tributes paid to Adelaide University Chancellor

Friday, 10 March 2000

Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary O'Kane has paid tribute to the University's Chancellor, Mr Bruce Webb AM, who died today aged 73.

Mr Webb was appointed Chancellor in March 1998 after a distinguished career in the private and public sectors. He was Director-General of the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy from 1972 to 1983 and Managing Director of Poseidon Limited Group from 1983 to 1988. He had been a member of the University Council since 1995 and also served as Convenor of the University's Finance Committee.

Professor O'Kane said Mr Webb had brought an invaluable mix of experience to the role of Chancellor.

"He was committed to establishing Adelaide University as one of the world's great universities and made a lasting contribution to the realisation of that vision. He was a strong believer in the need for the University to develop strategic partnerships.

"Within the University community, Mr Webb was highly respected. His intelligence, his kindliness and his commitment to education earned him the admiration of all who knew him. He will be sadly missed. On behalf of the University community, I would like to extend condolences to his wife Merilyn and to his four children."

Mr Webb graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree and obtained his M.Sc at Adelaide University. He began his career as a field geologist with North Broken Hill Ltd in 1948. From 1952-62 he worked as a geologist with the SA Department of Mines before returning to the private sector to work with exploration companies Geosurveys Australia and Newmont Pty Ltd. He was appointed Director-General of the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy in 1972.

During his distinguished career, Mr Webb served on many government and professional bodies. These included the Bureau of Mineral Resources, the SA Water Resources Council, the SA Pipelines Authority, the National Energy Advisory Committee and the SA State Development Council. From 1988-94 he was Chief Executive of the Australian Mineral Foundation.

In 1992 he was made a member of the of the Order of Australia for services to the minerals and energy industries. He was a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

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