An individual teacher can have a profound influence, their impact echoing down the decades and generations.
The late English lecturer Dr David Evans – a UNE graduate, respected educator, mentor, artist and Chaucer devotee – was one such teacher.
After completing his Arts degree (with First Class Honours in English) at UNE in the 1950s, David achieved a Diploma of Education and taught for several years. He then joined UNE’s English Department, carving out an esteemed career as an English language scholar and teacher that stretched for 32 years, until his retirement in 1994.
Former colleagues recall a wickedly funny ‘Renaissance man’ with a passion and talent for an eclectic range of pursuits, who “devoted his life to enriching the lives of others” and providing friendship to countless overseas students. An artist, David also became a driving force behind the establishment of the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) in Armidale.
It was during the 1960s that David crossed paths with an external Bachelor of Arts student named Clive Ellison and made a lasting impression. Clive would graduate in 1969, noting that “in addition to the continuing pleasure and insight” his Arts degree afforded him, it helped him gain promotions to principal positions.
Little is known of Clive or his wife Joan, a fellow teacher. Education Department records reveal they married in 1954, after Clive had completed a Teaching Certificate in Sydney. He undertook his UNE studies while teaching at Yeoval Central School (from 1955-1973) and was the Founding Principal of Urambi Primary School in the ACT, where he worked from 1976 until retiring in 1983.
Now, Clive and Joan’s generosity will reverberate throughout UNE’s English Department, inspired by the teachings of David and his contemporaries.
Writing in February 1984 to bequeath half his “modest” estate to that department, Clive said “… I really enjoyed my courses and appreciated the thought and care of the lecturers, particularly David Evans … who was very encouraging”. In his mid-50s at the time, Clive recognised “it could be some time” before the estate became available and by that time it “may be worth considerably more”.
Clive died in 2007 – the same year as David – but it was not until after his widow Joan’s death in 2020 that the full depth of Clive’s appreciation became apparent, when the UNE Foundation received $854,230 from Joan’s estate.
It will now be used to promote study and scholarship in English at UNE, starting with the first Clive and Joan Ellison Scholarships in English Literature.
It came as an “extraordinarily generous surprise” to UNE’s Associate Professor in English Literary Studies, Dr Elizabeth Hale, who, with her colleagues, is also considering additional prizes and perhaps an annual conference to honour the Ellisons.
“Clive obviously loved literature,” Liz said. “There were a number of inspirational teachers here at that time. David Evans, a lecturer in medieval and Anglo Saxon, was out of the ordinary and must have had a strong influence.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr Ellison and his wife for supporting English at UNE and giving us the resources to encourage passionate students who might not otherwise have access to this kind of study. Many of our students are future teachers themselves and Clive’s reflections on his UNE study are heart-warming.”
Lecturer in Literary Studies, Associate Professor Diana Barnes, said the study of literature gives teachers “a window into life itself.
“It gives us an opportunity to reflect on our values and ideals and how they have shifted over time,” Diana said. “UNE still offers a broad suite of English units spanning a 500-year period. They illustrate the eternal human struggle with essential questions of love, death, politics and what it means to be part of a community, which are timeless. This is a wonderful gift, that will ensure UNE’s proud English traditions continue.”
David’s widow Helen said he had a passion for teaching English and would consider it “very special” that a student remembered him so fondly.
“David was very committed to all his students, particularly those studying externally,” she said. “Many were mature students from diverse backgrounds, who had a genuine interest in the subject matter.
“Because David and Clive were studying at the same time – David for his PhD – I think they would have had much in common and would likely have had many discussions. Clive and Joan’s amazing gift shows how important and lasting our teaching can be, reaching across generations.”
For guidance on how to leave a gift in your will to UNE, go to www.une.edu.au/give-to-une/bequests or email advance@une.edu.au
