Format: Oral history

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UWAHS Vietnam War Oral Histories

Person interviewed

Alan Robson

Related item

Alan Robson oral history

Contributor

University Archives

Audio

Interviews (3)

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Alan David Robson Oral History - Vietnam War Interview Series

Description

DescriptionInterview with Emeritus Professor Alan Robson as part of the UWAHS Vietnam Oral History Series

Alan was born in 1945. He studied at the University of Melbourne from 1962 till 1965 and graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science. In 1966 he came to the University of Western Australia to do a PhD in agricultural science which he completed in 1969. Alan was conscripted into the Australian Army in 1970 and was discharged in 1971.

Following his discharge he worked as a research agronomist in the Victorian Department of Agriculture at Horsham in 1972 and 1973.
Alan returned to the University of Western Australia in 1974 as a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture. He became Dean of Agriculture and then Deputy Vice Chancellor. From 2004 to 2012 he was Vice-Chancellor of the University.

In 2003 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia and warded a Centenary Medal. In 2009 he was made a Citizen of Western Australia, in 2013 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia and in 2015 he was inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame.

Alan was previously interviewed by the UWA Historical Society in August 2014.

Topics discussed include:

Family background and education. Call up in February 1965 – aged twenty. Conscripted into army in January 1970. Vietnamese history. Officer training in Scheyville. Conscientious objectors. Exemption. The rigorous training in the army designed to week people out. Weaponry, kit inspections, marching, camping and exercises. Fear and intimidation. What the army taught him. Reunions with Class 1/70. Refusal to go to Vietnam as an agricultural scientist. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Adjutant Quartermaster to 6th Central Ammunition Depot in Gladstone, South Australia. Leaves army in November 1971. Army etiquette and hierarchy. Anti-Vietnamese sentiment.

Research Agronomist for the Victorian Department of Agriculture in the Victorian Wheat Research Institute at Horsham (1972-1973). Takes up position at lecturer in the Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at UWA in 1974. Remains at UWA until retirement in 2021. Discussion of his PhD. Graduation ceremony - Vietnamese students studying dentistry. Changes at UWA since his time as a PhD student (1966-1969). The impact of Eric Underwood. What the army taught Alan and how he used the knowledge at UWA.

Date created17th January 2022In collectionUWAHS Vietnam War Oral Histories

Audio

Vietnam War Series - Alan Robson interview Part 1 of 3 - Introduction

Vietnam War Series - Alan Robson interview Part 2 of 3

Vietnam War Series - Alan Robson interview Part 3 of 3

Photograph of Alan Robson - Photograph courtesy of UWAHS

Connections

InterviewerJulia WallisPerson interviewedAlan RobsonSubject (topic)Vietnam WarRelated itemAlan Robson oral history

Access

Access rights24/50037 - Oral History Recording Agreement Form - Alan David ROBSON - 17/01/2022

Item information

ContributorUniversity Archives

UWA Collected

Alan David Robson Oral History - Vietnam War Interview Series

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA