James Ralph Darling
Sir James Darling | |
---|---|
Born | 18 June 1899 |
Died | 1 November 1995 (aged 96) |
Nationality | English |
Education | Repton School Oriel College, Oxford |
Occupation(s) | Headmaster Geelong Grammar School Chairman Headmasters' Conference of the Independent Schools of Australia Chairman Australian Broadcasting Commission |
Spouse(s) | Margaret, née Campbell |
Children | One son (John Darling), three daughters |
Parent(s) | Augustine Major Darling Jane Baird, née Nimmo |
Sir James Ralph Darling,
Early life
Darling was born in
.Headmaster
He was appointed as Headmaster of Geelong Grammar School in 1930 and the student population of the school grew from 370 to 1139 at the time of his retirement. He was a founding member of the
Darling believed that it was of primary importance in education to cultivate sensitivity in students, but that toughness was also required for effective leadership.[1] He revolutionised Geelong Grammar School with his educational philosophy, overhauling the curriculum and focusing less on achievement and more on learning. He encouraged selflessness and hard work over competitiveness and idleness.[2]
ABC Chairman
After his retirement as Headmaster he was for several years Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). The decision by the Holt Liberal government in 1967 not to re-appoint him was rumoured to be because of the perceived criticism of the government's policies by the ABC. This led to considerable controversy, involving Mike Willesee, an ABC reporter, who was the son of Don Willesee, a Labor Senator.
Later years
In retirement Darling often wrote for newspapers, and published his own books. In 1988 he was named on a list of 200 great Australians (of whom only 22 were living, he being the only headmaster on the list). He died aged 96 in Melbourne in 1995. In his obituary Darling was referred to as a prophet whose integrity, insight, intelligence and courage gave him great standing in the community.[3]
Honours
- Officer, Order of the British Empire (1953)
- Companion, Order of St Michael and St George (1958)
- Knight Bachelor (1968) for services to education and broadcasting
Publications
- The Education of a Civilized Man: A Selection of Speeches and Sermons (Melb, 1962)
- Timbertop: An Innovation in Australian Education (Melb, 1967)
- Richly Rewarding (Melb, 1978)
- Reflections for the Age (Melb, 1991)
References
- ^ Darling, James R (1963). The Education of a Civilised Man: A Selection of Speeches and Sermons. F W Cheshire, Melbourne.
- ISBN 0-19-553106-X.
- ^ Collins Persse, Michael (3 November 1995). "Geelong's master of Inspiration". The Australian.
Further reading
- Gronn, Peter (December 1995). "A 'very superior' man : Sir James Darling 1899-1995". Tribute. Quadrant. 39 (12): 49–50.
External links
- "Obituary: Geelong's master of inspiration". The Australian. 3 November 1995.