On 1 July 1973, Murdoch University’s 10 Foundation Professors arrived on campus to begin the monumental task of creating a new university to serve a growing and increasingly diverse population.

They had just 18 months before the arrival of the first students in 1975 to define the university’s ethos and purpose; develop undergraduate and post-graduate courses; and ready the campus for teaching, learning and research. Their influence was profound and helped navigate Murdoch through the challenges of its early years and beyond.

“They were scholars of international standing and came to Murdoch University with distinguished reputations of the highest level in their respective fields.”

Geoffrey Bolton AO, Foundation Professor of History

Born in Perth in 1931, Geoffrey Bolton AO was an eminent historian whose long association with Murdoch began with his appointment to the University Planning Board from 1970 to 1973.  He was also among the first members of the University Senate, serving from 1973-1976 and again from 1999-2002 and 2002-2006.

Professor Bolton held various academic positions before becoming Murdoch University's Foundation Professor of History in 1973. He played a significant role in shaping the university's ethos and served as Chancellor from 2002-2006.

Professor Bolton’s contribution to Australia was recognised in many ways during his lifetime, including the award of an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1984 for his services to education; a Centenary Medal in 2001 for services to the Centenary of Federation celebrations in WA; the WA Australian of the Year award in 2006; and two Honorary Degrees from the University in 1995 and in 2000.

In 2014, the WA Government announced that a new road at Elizabeth Quay in the Perth CBD – Geoffrey Bolton Avenue – would carry his name, in recognition of his contribution to conserve, record and teach the history of Western Australia. In 2016, the University named its library after Professor Bolton and his portrait hangs in the foyer of the Geoffrey Bolton Library.

Professor Bolton passed away in 2015, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Murdoch University.

Robert Dunlop, Foundation Professor of Veterinary Studies

Born in 1929 in London, England, Robert Dunlop was a well-qualified veterinary scholar who influenced educational philosophies at Murdoch University. He is described in It had better be a good one as a tireless worker for veterinary studies - “broad-shouldered, energetic and possessed of a yeoman sense of humour”.

Robert Dunlop was well qualified, having worked at four veterinary schools – two of which he helped establish. Harnessing his experience, he exerted considerable influence on the educational philosophies and course structures in the early days of Murdoch.

He led the fledgling school with flair, energy and imagination and left a legacy of collegiality and pride among staff.

John Frodsham, Foundation Professor of Literature 

John Frodsham, born in England in 1930, was a Robert Davies’ Major Scholar at the University of Cambridge. He took a quintuple First in English and Oriental Languages – gaining five firsts in four years – a university record.

John Frodsham held academic positions at universities located all over the world, including Baghdad, Iraq; Sydney; Malaya; Cornell in the USA; Adelaide and Hawaii. 

He returned to Australia in 1969 to take up the appointment of Reader in Chinese at the Australian National University and after a stint in Tanzania, was appointed Murdoch’s Foundation Professor of Literature in 1973.

John Frodsham is described in It had better be a good one as “the most eloquent of the foundation professors ... credited with understanding 17 languages and enjoying a profound scholarly reputation in classical Chinese studies”.

In 2001, he was awarded a Centenary Medal for service to Australian society and the humanities in Asian studies. 

Brian Hill, Foundation Professor of Education

Born in Perth, Western Australia in 1934, Brian Hill became a high school teacher and travelling secretary of the interschool Christian Fellowship of NSW after completing a Bachelor of Arts at UWA in 1955 and Diploma of Education in 1956. Later, he was awarded a Master of Arts by the University of Sydney, and PhD from the University of Illinois in 1973.

He is described in It had better be a good one as “an admirably systemic administrator, whose reputation as a committed evangelical Christian did not hinder him from operating tenaciously and successfully in the sometimes-cut-throat world of educational politics”.

Watch this video for more insights into Professor Brian Hill’s experiences at Murdoch University.

Jack Loneragan, Foundation Professor of Biological Sciences

Jack Loneragan was born in Guildford, Western Australia, in 1926. After serving with the RAAF in the latter stages of World War II, he went on to study science at The University of Western Australia (UWA), graduating in 1950. He was awarded a Hackett Studentship to the University of California at Berkeley, where he attained his PhD in plant physiology.

Upon returning to Australia, he was employed by the CSIRO, before becoming a Senior Lecturer in Soil Sciences at UWA. He was Dean of Agriculture at UWA at the time of his appointment to Murdoch, where he spent the rest of his career until retirement in 1990.

Over the course of his 16 years with Murdoch, Jack Loneragan served two terms as Dean of the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) and was acting Vice Chancellor for a short period. He also served on Senate and Academic Council. He is described in It better be a good one as “one of the most thoughtful and consistent influences on the early years of Murdoch”.

In 1989, Jack Loneragan was awarded an honorary degree with the citation describing him as a “shrewd, low-key conciliatory academic leader.” 

In 1993, Senate approved the naming of a new science building - the Loneragan Building - in recognition of his significant contribution to the University.

Bruce Mainsbridge, Foundation Professor of Physics

Born in Devonport, Tasmania, in 1930, Bruce Mainsbridge served as the Foundation Professor of Physics until 1995. He had a notable academic career and contributed to the establishment of the university's academic programs.

Bruce Mainsbridge was educated at the University of Tasmania and Australian National University (ANU). He served as Science Master in the Education Department of Tasmania and held the same position at Christ’s College London. He went on to work for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment in England in the mid-1950s before returning to ANU, and later Rice University in Houston, Texas.

He is described in It had better be a good one as “a robust and independent-minded controversialist (who) sometimes found himself in a minority of one but was respected for his resourcefulness in finding new approaches to teaching physics at a time when the subject was under challenge”.

Desmond O'Connor, Foundation Professor of Environmental Science

Described in It had better be a good one as “a wry, unaggressive character”, Desmond O’Connor was born in Picton, New South Wales, in 1926. 

He was educated at the University of Sydney and the University of NSW, where he completed a Master of Engineering. He had a diverse background in engineering and research - including stints at the US Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories Research Institute and US Army Research Office - before joining Murdoch University.

Watch this interview with Professor Desmond O’Connor where he reflects on his rich and varied life.

Alan James (Jim) Parker, Foundation Professor of Chemistry

Jim Parker, born in 1933, was the son of distinguished engineer Sir John Parker and a scientist of international standing in his own right. He was educated at Wesley College and studied at The University of Western Australia (UWA), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science with first class honours and later, a doctorate.

In 1958, he was appointed Visiting Research Scientist at the University of Southern California, before taking on the same position at University College London, and University of Bergen, Norway.

He returned to Australia in 1962 and took up positions at UWA and the Australian National University. Following his appointment as Foundation Professor of Chemistry at Murdoch in 1974, he made notable contributions through his teaching and research.

Jim Parker is described in It better be a good one as “one of the most distinguished products of the chemistry school at UWA” and “serious-minded and passionately devoted to his subject, he was yet able to recognise quality in fields far removed from his own, and was a great influence in ensuring that Murdoch did not neglect research and postgraduate studies”

John Raser, Foundation Professor of Social Sciences

John Raser, born in 1935 in Iowa, USA, had a rich academic background in political science before becoming the Foundation Professor of Social Sciences at Murdoch. From 1963-1970, he held various roles with the Western Behavioural Sciences Institute in California, before his appointment as Associate Professor of Government and International Relations at Claremont Graduate School – also in California. He moved to New Zealand to take up a position at Otago New Zealand before accepting the position at Murdoch, a position he held until 1986. 

According to the Geoffrey Bolton early history of Murdoch – It had better be a good one, John Raser was “repelled by the United States involvement in Vietnam and turned to the Californian ‘third wave’ school of psychanalysts with their emphasis on personal self-awareness. An exuberant personality who sported an earring and enjoyed surfing, Raser more than any of his colleagues embodied for many ‘the Murdoch ethos’.”

John Raser described Professors Frodsham, Hill, Mainsbridge and himself as the "radicals" among the foundation professors with Professors Robertson, O'Connor, Parker, and Loneragan as the "conservatives" and Professors Bolton and Dunlop occupying “some ill-defined middle group”

John Raser was also responsible for the submission accepted by all 10 Foundation Professors at an early “love-in” at the former Contacio beach hotel in Scarborough, describing Murdoch’s emerging ethos thus:

“I believe Murdoch should respond to that need for humane and vital intelligence. Humane in that it is oriented towards development of the maximum human potential for creativity, growth, love, community and joy rather than towards exploitation of man and nature. Vital in that is deeply rooted in the real emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of men rather than mere cleverness. If Murdoch is to succeed in fostering such humane and vital intelligence, it must play the role of a healer.”

Alexander Robertson, Foundation Professor of Mathematics

Alexander Robertson, born in 1925 in Scotland, was a distinguished mathematician – awarded a Master of Arts (First Class Hons) by the University of Glasgow and PhD from the University of Cambridge. Following his appointment at Murdoch, he was actively involved in the university's early academic programs as Foundation Chair of the Admissions Committee and was a Senate member from 1973-79. He also held several Visiting Lecturer and Visiting Professor positions at universities overseas during this period.

In It had better be a good one, Alexander Robertson “shared to the full the Scottish love of argument from first principles and the Scottish scepticism about ambitious plans for human improvement. He soon found himself stereotyped as Murdoch’s Doubting Thomas, and his prudent reservations sometimes received less attention that they merited”.

In honour of his longstanding and substantial contribution to the University, Senate named the Science and Computing lecture theatre – the Robertson Lecture Theatre – after him.