Blackwood, Sir Robert Rutherford

Positions summary

Interim Council Chairman, 1958; founding Chancellor 1961-1968.

Biography

Robert Blackwood was educated at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School and the University of Melbourne (BEE, 1929; BCE, 1930; MCE, 1932). He obtained a post in 1928 as testing officer in the University of Melbourne's faculty of engineering. He was appointed a research engineer with the Dunlop Perdriau Rubber Co. Ltd, and although he returned to the university in 1946 as professor of mechanical engineering and dean of the faculty, he returned to industry as general manager of Dunlop Rubber Australia Ltd in 1948, a position he held until his retirement in 1966. He continued as a member of the board of Dunlop Australia Ltd and, as chairman in 1972-79. Blackwood was appointed Chairman of the Interim Council responsible for establishing the State's second university in 1958. Named after Sir John Monash, the institution officially opened in March 1961. Blackwood was knighted in June 1961, and when the permanent University Council assumed office in July 1961, he became University Chancellor. He held this position until 1968. Sir Robert died on 21 August 1982.

Papers

Manuscript material for 'Monash University: the first ten years' 1968
Mss of "the second and shorter version of Monash University, 1958-1964" published by Hampden Hall (1968).

See also 

Australian Dictionary of Biography: Blackwood, Sir Robert Rutherford