1985 School Magazine

It was the same with several of my teachers (three with whom I kept contact have now died, most recently Miss Marjorie Elliott who died early this year). I still have contact with one of my mathematics teachers, Miss Popple. I think our teachers can have an enormous influence on us through their interest in us, their encouragement of our talents and their faith that we can succeed. It was a change for me to go to University- just as it will be a change next year for the Year 12 girls as they continue their studies in another insitution or begin their careers. I needed , and you will need, all of the self-discipline and self- motivation learnt at school together with all the encouragement and support available from parents and teachers. Today, in increasing numbers, girls are entering professions previously almost exclusively male. There are more career opportunities for women now than in the past and there is a greater acceptance by society of professional women. One example of a male dominated profession is surely mathematics. There are increasing numbers of girls taking maths and also computer science and physical, chemical and biological science courses at University and successfully completing higher degrees in these fields, but there is still a large imbalance in the sexes in some of these professions. One-sixth of my department, the Mathematics Department at University of Western Australia, are women. I am the only woman at present who is a full professor of mathematics at an Australian University. There was one other, Hanna Neumann, who died in 1971 and whom I admired tremendously. Whether I like it or not, I am conspicuous in my profession, just as any women in a male dominated profession is conspicuous, and this has advantages and disadvantages. Many of you may experience a similar thing in the future.

As a very young mathematician, I had some difficulties in being accepted as a serious professional mathematician - especially when I was trying to get a permanent job and again later when my husband john and I decided that we would try to have a career each, plus children. Not many people doubt that a man can survive in his career when he becomes a father, but unfortunately it is still a bit different for a woman. On the other hand, I must have " stuck out" enough for someone to suggest my name this year to the Federal Minister for Education, Susan Ryan, as a possible Council member for the Curriculum Development Council. Would this have happened if I were male, or is there a special female viewpoint of mathematics and science and if so, did Susan Ryan want that viewpoint represented on the Council? Normally I would object strongly to being chosen for a job as a "women's representative". However in this case maybe Susan Ryan was right. The school curriculum is a very political matter; the Curriculum Development Council must be as representative as possible of the educational community and perhaps I must see myself in that position in several roles- those of a mathematician, a woman , an academic and a lay person interested in what goes on in schools. To conclude, you girls have exciting lives ahead of you. Whether or not you are drawn to enter " unusual " careers, you are sure to have many challenges in your studies and future professions. I would urge you to aim high and accept those challenges - accept also the encouragement and support offered to you by your family, teachers and colleagues. I look forward to hearing of many successful Grammar girls in the future. But for now congratulations to you on completing a year's work and may I wish you a happy and relaxing vacation.

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