The university community was saddened to hear of the passing of Adjunct Professor Douglas (Doug) Gray on July 20 in Adelaide after a prolonged illness.
During his time at UNE, Doug made a significant contribution to the field of sheep parasitology, and was a much-loved lecturer, postgraduate supervisor, and colleague.
In light of Doug’s passing, friend and colleague, Professor Steve Walkden-Brown, penned the following article reflecting on his life, career, and accomplishments.
Doug completed a B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology, at the University of Glasgow in 1975 followed by a Ph.D. in Parasitology at the same university in 1980. Following post-doctoral stints in Nigeria and Ecuador, Doug was appointed as a research fellow in the then Department of Animal Science at UNE in March 1984 to work on the genetics of resistance to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep. Doug was promoted to Senior research fellow in 1994 and was a Senior lecturer from 1996 to Jan 1998.
He then took up a Principal Research Scientist position in the Division of Livestock Industries of CSIRO, Armidale before moving in the same year to work for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in the Philippines, first as a Scientist and then as the Regional Representative. After leaving ILRI in 2003, Doug worked as a consultant until 2008 when he joined the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Canberra as Research Program Manager, Animal Health. He was in that position until 2012 before returning to consulting.
While at UNE, Doug published important research in sheep parasitology and was an enthusiastic lecturer and postgraduate student supervisor as well. His work facilitated the integration of genetic approaches into regional disease control strategies and inclusion of disease resistance characters into Merino and meat sheep breeding objectives. After leaving UNE, Doug was instrumental in building links between UNE and international agencies such as ILRI and ACIAR, giving rise to many past and current UNE projects with these organisations. Doug’s international work and links with UNE led to an appointment as an Adjunct Professor in the then Institute of Rural Futures. The international agricultural development phase of Doug’s career included 10 years of living in developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Achievements included the design, leadership, implementation and review of livestock-related projects in Australia, South and South East Asia. He attracted over $6-million in direct research funding in 11 research grants, resulting in 80 refereed publications and numerous technical reports.
Doug spent much of his life after 2003 living on Kangaroo Island with wife Annabel, where he enjoyed bushwalking, playing the violin and beekeeping. He is survived by wife Annabel and children Rowan, Euan, Ken and Cassie. Annabel also worked at UNE from 1985 until 1998, first as a Laboratory Technician in the Department of Animal Science and then as a Senior Technical Officer in the Department of Biochemistry. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources at UNE in 1996 and a Masters of Resource Science at UNE in 2003, externally while living in the Philippines.
A selection of comments from colleagues on hearing of Doug’s death are below and illustrate the high regard he was held in and the warmth of feelings towards him:
Doug taught me an enormous amount, and changed my perspective on effective research and engagement. Not by trying to teach me. But just by being who he was and demonstrating through his behaviour and actions how proper engagement took place and how impact of research was achieved in developing world systems. He was, by far, my favourite person to interact with in my ILRI days. An island of calm, positive support, of all around him. He was a top bloke. Loved by many around the world. And rightly so. (Prof. John Gibson, UNE)
It resonates that the best elements of our endeavours occur out in the world and Doug had a large network that to me seemed earned not just through his parasitological knowledge but through the respectful and engaging ways in which he connected with people. (Prof. Lewis Kahn, UNE)
As you have all said, Doug really was a fine person. He had a lovely open and sincere way in his dealing with all people. He was a wonderful colleague, scientist and teacher. We were all better off for knowing him and for having the pleasure of working with him. (Prof. James Rowe, UNE).
All the memories since 1993 when he first visited NARI, are coming back to me now. …. Next week I will be presenting the work from that breeding program at the AAABG conference in Perth and will pay homage to his memory at the start of my presentation. Doug was the progenitor of the first major international project carried out by the NARI-AHD and this led to more follow-on projects that brought national and international recognition to NARI-AHD as a centre of excellence in sheep breeding and small ruminant parasitology research. He was well-loved by all the staff of NARI-AHD because of his warm, open and charming personality. He gave freely of his professional knowledge and insight and enriched us. We will carry on his legacy into the future (Dr Chanda Nimbkar, NARI, India)
… We owe him so much. I admired his sharp intellect and ability to see the big picture. Loved his scotch whisky and dry humour, and soft caring side. …. I will remember Doug fondly (or Phet (Lao for Duck) which Seuth used to call him!). May he Rest in Peace at his spiritual home on Kangaroo Island.... (Dr Joanne Millar, CSU)
I am very sad to hear that Doug passed away. It is great loss for every one he was such a great person always willing to share his experiences and expertise that he has with everyone else. RIP Doug! It was great honour to work with you in the last few years (Dr Phonepaseuth Phengsavanh, NAFRI, Laos)
I had the good fortune to meet Doug at Chiswick in the 1980s. He made a lasting impression on me with his sense of humour and his ability to make me question my paradigms whenever we discussed research programs/activities (Peter Manueli, MPI Fiji/Canberra)
… it was always fun to be around Doug, brainstorming ideas and seeing the wry side of life via his devilish and deadpan sense of humour. His life and mine intersected in several critical ways and I would not have had the life and career I have had at UNE but for this (Prof. Steve Walkden-Brown, UNE)
Vale Doug.
