With much sadness, I have to inform you that Margaret Trask AM, deputy chancellor of the University, passed away at about 5 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, 19 November. She gave the University her services without counting the cost, even during her last illness. She devoted herself continually to the University and its members after she had ceased to be a distinguished member of the staff of the Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education. The University Council had resolved, by reason of her years of outstanding service, to confer on her the degree of Doctor of the University, honoris causa. Because of her illness, that degree was to have been conferred on her on Friday next in the garden of her close friend, Emeritus Professor Mairéad Browne and her husband, Dr David Browne, who supported her throughout her declining months. The citation for that degree reads as follows:
Margaret Trask was born 27 April 1928 in Camden, New South Wales. She was the daughter of Mary Winifred Price and Henry Kinsella from Baltinglass, County Wicklow, Ireland who, having settled in New South Wales, served with the AIF at Gallipoli.
Margaret was educated at Parramatta High School before completing a BA at University of New England and a Master of Librarianship at University of New South Wales.
Margaret Trask is widely recognised as an outstanding leader in the profession of Library and Information Sciences. Her contributions to the development of the profession over the past 30-40 years have been seminal and have done much to raise its profile and to ensure its continuing relevance.
Margaret's association with libraries commenced at what is now the State Library of New South Wales. Her early career highlights included roles as chief librarian for Penrith City Council, the AMP Society of Australia, and senior academic roles at UNSW. From her earliest days in the profession, Margaret showed her considerable ability as a leader. She was responsible for a number of reports that influenced government policy. One of these, School Libraries: A Report to the Nation (1968), influenced the expansion of libraries in Australian schools and the commitment of Commonwealth funding to school library buildings, the training and education of teacher librarians and the development of library collections that supported school curricula.
Margaret's leadership also found expression in her role as president of the Library Association of Australia at a time when the profession was striving both to accommodate and exploit emerging information technologies. Through her unswerving focus on the needs of the users of information she made a major contribution to the movement, which led to the creative, user-centred, applications of technology which characterise modern library and information services in Australia.
In the mid 1970s Margaret established the innovative School of Library and Information Studies at Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education, one of the antecedent institutions of UTS. This was a cornerstone of her long-term contribution to the professional education of library and information professionals, as was her involvement in the Board of Education of the Library Association of Australia.
Margaret gave willingly of her time to a number of institutions related to higher education and library and information services:
Chair, Towards Federation 2001 National Library of Australia, 1992
President, Library Association of Australia, 1977
Member, Australian Government Working Party on Review of Library Provision in Higher Education Institutions, 1990
Member, Australian Libraries Summit, 1988
Member, Australian Libraries and Information Council, 1982-85
Member, UNSW Council, 1982-85
Member, Australian National Commission for UNESCO, 1977-85
Member, Australian Advisory Council on Bibliographical Services, 1969-85
Member, Committee of Inquiry into Public Libraries in Australia, 1975-76
Member, Secondary Schools Libraries Committee, 1968-75
Margaret's contribution to Library and Information Sciences and Higher Education have been recognised on numerous other occasions, including:
Fellow, Library Association of Australia, 1969
Member Order of Australia (AM), 1979
Library Association of Australia, HCL Anderson Award, 1989
Establishment of Margaret Trask Medal for highest ranked undergraduate information studies graduate at KCAE (and now UTS)
Margaret has been committed to developing the knowledge base of library and information science. This cause has been advanced by her extensive research and consultancy work. Her support and mentoring of student researchers and practitioners in the field has been selfless - many of the recipients of Margaret's time and dedication have themselves become leading academics and professionals (including a number of Professors and Deans at UTS). These information professionals have continued to enjoy the fruits and benefits of professional collegiality and enduring friendships with her.
In the latter phase of her career, Margaret was an initiator of the Australian Information Management Association (AIMA) and subsequently became Executive Director of AIMA Training and Consultancy Services. AIMA provided leadership and management education, publications and a host of activities for people moving into senior leadership positions in Australia's major libraries. AIMA was a trailblazer in continuing education for the library profession. Margaret's contribution to the profession was recognised with the HCL Anderson Award, the highest honour that the Library Association of Australia can bestow on a professional librarian.
Margaret's contribution to higher education has extended beyond her own professional field. Her membership of the New South Wales Higher Education Board and the Commonwealth Government's Ross Review enabled her to participate in developments in colleges and universities more generally.
In 1991, Margaret was appointed a Fellow of the University, recognising in particular: her contribution to the education of library and information professionals; her commitment to research in the field; and her role as initiator of the Australian Information Management Association.
In the eight years Margaret has been a member of the UTS Council, she has made a major contribution to the work and life of the University. Her knowledge of and contacts within the various faculties and departments of the University have ensured that her influence is both beneficial and effective. She has served on many committees and working groups and participated in the selection processes for the members of the University's senior executive. For the last four years she has assisted and supported the Chancellor as Deputy Chancellor and has presided over numerous graduation ceremonies with warmth and dignity. She recently provided great guidance to the Council and University as a whole on issues of good University governance.
In addition to Margaret's role as Deputy Chancellor and Council Member, she has willingly given her time and expertise to UTS committees including:
Chair, UTS Centre for Local Government Education and Research, 1995-2002
Chair, UTS Personnel Committee
Chair, UTS Student Affairs and Equity Committee
Margaret Trask has been a devoted and valued contributor to the life of the University. Even in illness she has continued to give her time and wise counsel in the service of the University. Generations of students as well as the staff of the University have had the advantage of her unassuming work.
Chancellor, it is well known that information can easily become knowledge, yet few can turn knowledge into true wisdom. In recognition of an outstanding, selfless dedication not only to achieving personal wisdom but to ensuring that this wisdom benefits a great many, I ask you to admit Margaret Trask, AM to the degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa).
