Volume 6 Number 1 - Adm.monash.edu.au - Monash University

MONASH UNIVERSITY GAZETTEmodest, midnight penny by reading and recording theinstruments in the small meteorological observatory inWhitworth Park: and we have both been known toplay the flute. It could even be that we share other experiences,but I must now stop reminiscing in order to concentrateon Sir Linder's scientific achievements which,as you doubtless know, are very great.Between 1934 and 1949, as a physiologist on the staffof the Medical Research Council, he played a majorpart in demonstrating that communication between onenerve cell and another, or between a nerve and a musclecell, is commonly chemical in nature. The process bywhich an electrical nerve impulse changes to a chemicalone, by liberating molecules of acetylcholine from thenerve endings, was demonstrated by Sir Lindor withoutstanding experimental skill and he thus was able toprovide crucial evidence in support of what was then arevolutionary theory. As I understand it, Mr Chancellor,this means that we all have a series of Eveready drybatteries up and down our arms and legs.Left to right: The Vice-Chancellor, Dr J. A. L. Matheson,the Academic Registrar, Mr J. D. Butchart, Sir LinderBrown, and the Chancellor, Sir Doug/as MenziesIn 1949 he became Jodrell Professor of Physiology atUniversity College, London. where his ability to stimulateresearch and to teach experimental methods led to widespreadrecognition of the scientific activities of his departmentand of the department of Biophysics whichhe helped to form.In 1960 he moved to Oxford as Waynflete Professorof Physiology where he has continued to carry out andto stimulate important work on the chemical agents thatact as transmitters of nervous information. He has alsobeen very active in scientific and university affairs generally,having been biological secretary of the RoyalSociety and one of its vice-presidents for several years,foreign secretary of the Physiological Society. and presidentof the lnternational Union of Physiological Sciences.He was a member of the Franks Committee which inquiredinto the governance of Oxford University and heis doubtless now watching, with the enviable detachmentthat goes with a reasonably safe vantage point, to seewhether any more notice is taken of Franks than of themany reformers who have tried to influence Oxfordover the centuries.Sir Linder, who is now principal of Hertford College,Oxford, is visiting the department of Physiology at thisUniversity as a senior fellow of the Australian Academyof Science and continuing here, in collaboration withour own colleagues, the studie s to which he has devotedhis scientific life.CHILD STUDY CENTREOn 19 January 1968, Elwyn Aisne Morey was killed ina car accident. Whilst her work with children had madeElwyn Morey known very widely during her life, sheleft in the making a centre which will keep her namebefore students and teachers as long as Monash is here.The Elwyn Morey Child Study Centre, in a buildingimmediately to the north of, and linked with, the neweducation building, incorporates a kindergarten, interviewrooms, provision for observing children at play orin highly-structured situations, a psychological laboratory,and opportunities for observation and research inchild health.Since the kindergarten was established in a smallcottage on the campus some three years ago, a smallamount of observation and research has been possible,but the very limited facilities have prevented muchbeing done. Students from Monash Teachers' Collegeand from the Diploma in Education course have beenable to watch kindergarten sessions being conducted.Some students have worked individually with children.A visiting professor of psychology from Harvard hascarried out a research project concerned with the conditionsunder which children commit themselves to aparticular course of action. An elementary schoolteacher from Michigan, on study leave with her husband,has investigated an aspect of the skills which areneeded before children can begin to read. Some standardizedtesting has been done.With the facilities provided in the new building, asystematic programme of observation by Diploma inEducation students will be possible. This should be ofgreat value; most young graduates have had little or nofirst-hand contact with small children. have little notionof children's skills and competence, and little understandingof the continuities in abilities and temperamentto be observed throughout early life and into maturity.If they can see change and continuity integrated, asthey are in developing children, students will be betterequipped to respond to and direct the young peoplewhom they will teach in secondary schools.Interests in cognitive development (the changes inintellectual competence to be observed throughout life),in influences which may interfere with or facilitatelearning (physical abnormalities, loss of schooling, particularly'favourable' circumstances during early years,marked abilities in some areas), verbal and non-verbalcommunication, among children and between childrenand teachers, are some areas in which members of thefaculty plan to develop research programmes in thechild study centre. It is hoped to make it a fittingremembrance of its founder.NEW FUND FOR STUDENTSA Melbourne firm has given Monash University $750to start a fund for students whose courses are endangeredby lack of money.The fund, to be administered by Monash's careersand appointments office. will provide short-term loansfor students who are considered to be desperately inneed of aid.18