In Memoriam

Dr Joan Durdin AM

1922-2025

BA 1984, BA (Hons) 1985

Dr Joan Durdin AM was a pioneer of nursing education in South Australia. Shortly after she retired from nursing in 1983, Joan completed an honours degree in history at the University of Adelaide, which formed the basis of publications on the history of nursing in South Australia and sparked Joan’s passion for oral history. In 1985 Joan was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of service to nursing education. In 1994 Joan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Flinders University. Dr Joan Durdin’s contribution to nursing education and as a historian in South Australia will continue to inspire and impact future generations of students, staff, alumni and nurses. Joan was recently featured in Lumen magazine, sharing her thoughts on time, nursing and fond memories from a long life.
Image: Lumen magazine

Emeritus Professor Michael Philip Alpers AO

1934-2024

B Sc (1956), M B B S (1961), D Univ (2012)

Emeritus Professor Michael Philip Alpers AO was a medical researcher and the longest-serving Director of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research. He is remembered for his kindness and generosity as well as his impactful research on the degenerative neurological condition kuru, which today has no known cases. Professor Alpers made significant contributions to tropical medicine and infectious disease research throughout his distinguished career. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2005 and awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award by the University in 2012 in recognition of his exceptional contributions.
Image: Australian Academy of Science

Emeritus Professor John Robin Warren AC

1937-2024

M B B S 1961

Emeritus Professor Warren was a respected pathologist whose work changed lives. He is credited with the 1979 re-discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, and worked with Professor Barry J. Marshall to demonstrate the significance of the bacteria, proving it was the cause of stomach ulcers and helping to develop a diagnostic test. This work earned the pair the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005. In 1996, Prof Warren was the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University, and in 2006 was presented an Honorary Doctorate. He was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in 2007.  

Emeritus Professor Robert (Bob) Seamark

1937-2023

B Ag Sc 1959

Bob was both an alum and long-serving staff member at the University of Adelaide. Graduating with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 1959, he then obtained a PhD in Medicine from the University of Cambridge. Bob returned to the University as a foundation lecturer in the Department of Animal Physiology at the Waite Institute (1964-1969), then as Senior Lecturer / Reader in Endocrinology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1969-1995). In 2016, Bob was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine (honoris causa).

Professor Edwin Malcolm Symonds

1934-2023

MBBS (1958) MD (1970)

Professor Malcolm Symonds graduated MBBS from the University of Adelaide in 1958. He trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Australia and the UK. He was Clinical Senior Lecturer & Reader at UoA before being appointed to the Foundation chair of O&G in Nottingham, UK in 1972 where he worked until his retirement in 1997. He was made an honorary fellow of the RANZCOG in 1998 and a visiting Professor at Adelaide in 2002.

Beryl Kimber OBE

1928-2022

Alongside her late husband, Clemens Leske, Beryl Kimber was a much-loved figure at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, where she served as Associate Professor of Violin from 1964 until 1998. Beryl was an instrumental figure at the Elder Conservatorium, attracting the most gifted young violinists from around the country. She had extraordinary talent as both a musician and educator.

Professor Elizabeth Grant

1963-2022

B Arch St and Grad Dip Env St (1999), M Env St (2002), PhD (Arch) (2008)

Professor Elizabeth Grant was a leading architectural anthropologist, criminologist and esteemed academic, who evoked change through her research and design work in Indigenous architecture and placemaking. Professor Grant was a valued alumna and was a former Senior Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide.

Emeritus Professor George Rogers AO

1927-2021

Ph D (1963), D Sc (1978)

Emeritus Professor George Rogers joined the Department of Biochemistry at the University in 1963, as a reader, before being promoted to Professor. Professor Rogers served as Department Head from 1988 to 1992, and in 1992 became an Emeritus Professor of the University of Adelaide.