UNE Emeritus Professor and Foundation Professor of Sociology, John Nalson, has died aged 92. A graduate of the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, he joined UNE in 1967. His areas of expertise included agricultural economics, rural mobility and modernisation.
Professor Nalson published numerous articles on agricultural education and rural mobility, including a book on the mobility of dairy farmers on the NSW north coast during his time at UNE. Known as a capable administrator he succeeded Professor John Dillon (Foundation Professor of Farm Management) as Pro Vice-Chancellor in the early 1980s.
Professor Peter Drake, Australian Catholic University, spoke at John Nalson’s funeral. Below are some of his words.
John Spencer Nalson
- B.Sc. (Leeds) M.Sc. (Nottingham) Ph.D. (Manchester)
- Appointed to UNE as Professor and Head of Sociology, May 1966.
- Chairman of Academic Board, 1979 – 81.
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, 1982 – 87.
- Retired December 1987.
John was respected, kind, generous and hospitable in Armidale and later in Sydney. He was a healer and peacemaker in UNE. He made Sociology respectable despite initial doubts about it among the established scientists; he was always encouraging to younger staff.
John was my colleague, mentor and good friend in Armidale, as was his wife Billie to my wife Joan. The same was true when they moved to a flat in Kirribilli, where they gave some good parties, notably on Australia Day to view the ferry race.
Vale and God bless you John; you were a good man.