Jo Woolmington: clear-sighted, compassionate historian and mentor

February 01, 2008

The University of New England's Mary White College celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and among the golden memories that the celebrations are sure to revive will be many of a former College Principal, Jo Woolmington.

Throughout her 51 years of residence in Armidale, Jo Woolmington brought her characteristic blend of clear-sightedness, enthusiasm, and sense of social responsibility to her many-faceted involvement in the life of the University and Armidale communities. She died on the 6th of December, aged 80.

Born, educated and married in England, Jo Woolmington (pictured here) arrived in Armidale in 1956 when her husband Eric joined the academic staff of UNE as a lecturer in Geography.

She quickly became involved in community organisations promoting education, employment, health and housing for Aboriginal people in Armidale. In 1957 she co-founded the University Players, which went on to stage at least two major productions a year in Armidale Town Hall.

After graduating from UNE in 1967 with a BA Honours degree, she became a tutor in the University's History Department. Her sensitive and ground-breaking study of the relationship between Aboriginal people and the Church in Australia during the first half of the 19th century, completed in 1979, earned her a PhD degree from UNE with a thesis titled Early Christian Missions to the Australian Aborigine: a study in failure. As a result of her research, she published two collections of documents with critical comments: Aborigines in Colonial Society 1788-1850 and Religion in Early Australia. They are both still highly regarded by researchers in these fields.

Jo Woolmington was Acting Principal of Mary White College in 1973, Principal from 1978 to 1982, and Acting Principal again in 1985 before the appointment of Jill Spilsbury as Principal. "Jo's achievement at Mary White was quite extraordinary," Ms Spilsbury said, "particularly as she performed her Principal's role on a half-time basis along with her academic position. She was close to – and supportive of – the students, and enriched College life with her talent and enthusiasm for drama and other cultural activities."

"Jo Woolmington was a much-loved former Principal," said the current Principal of Mary White College, Barb Shaw, "and many fond memories of her will be shared during this year's 50th anniversary celebrations."

"The 'Jo Woolmington Room' – a common-room in the College named in her honour – serves as a permanent catalyst for such memories," Mrs Shaw added.

As an academic, Dr Woolmington was appointed to a Lecturer's position at UNE in 1985, and held the position of Senior Lecturer when she retired in 1992. Geoff Quaife, a former Head of the History Department at UNE, speaking at her funeral service in Armidale, said that she had been "an excellent teacher", appreciated by her students for her "firm and resolute interpretation of events".

He went on to speak of her outstanding qualities as a mentor – qualities that played a vital role in her success both as College Principal and History Lecturer. "Despite her often formidable presence," he said, "there are numerous people out there whose stability and success can be attributed to the advice and support given to them by Jo during their period of vulnerability."

Jo Woolmington is survived by her son Jonathan and daughter Nicola.

THE PHOTOGRAPH of Dr Woolmington displayed here was taken in 1979 during her time as Principal of Mary White College.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at February 1, 2008 02:29 PM