Ernest Roe (deceased)

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Ernest Roe obtained his first degree from Oxford University and later received a B.Ed. from the University of Queensland and a Ph.D. from Adelaide University. After teaching for several years he worked as a Research Fellow with Sir Fred Schonell at the University of Queensland. In 1960 he took up a lectureship in the Education Department at Adelaide University. He left there in 1967 to become foundation Professor of Education at the University of Papua New Guinea, a post which he relinquished in 1973 to become foundation Director of the Tertiary Education Institute at the University of Queensland. He retired from that position earlier this year after achieving an international reputation for the work of TEDI.

For almost a quarter of a century Ernest Roe has been contributing to the literature of higher education. The findings of a major study of student performance, undertaken in collaboration with Schonell and Meddleton, were published in 1962 as Promise and Performance. His longstanding interest in the educational role of libraries and the materials of learning led to a number of publications, notably Using and Misusing the Materials of Teaching and Learning, (1975). More recently he has taken a keen interest in educational evaluation and this led in 1983, in collaboration with McDonald, to Informed Professional Judgment . His many contributions to the literature of higher education have been characterised by their lucidity, concern for practical applications, and engagement with real educational issues rather than with technicalities and arid theorising.

Ernest Roe was a foundation member of the Society, he has served on the Executive for several periods, and is immediate past-President. He took the lead in planning and conducting the highly successful series of national workshops on evaluation skills. His enthusiasm, expertise, wise counsel, and seemingly boundless energy have been given freely to enhance the reputation of the Society. We are all greatly in his debt.

News from Ernest Roe, 1999

After retirement in 1985, the winding-down, finishing-off process took several years. But I now write autobiography (to inform and entertain my family) and fiction to amuse myself. I retain a keen interest in gardening, food and wine (no order of priority implied). 1 enjoy cryptic crosswords . I read a lot. I watch TV. I go to films and the theatre.

Marjorie and I moved to South Australia, next to the McLaren Vale Vineyards and 45 minutes' drive from Adelaide, in 1992. This was in response to persistent pressure from family - half our grandchildren are in Adelaide, the other half in Melbourne . We don't like S.A.winters, so spend most of JuneAugust at Byron Bay.

I don't wish to comment on the current state of higher education in Australia, but ... my colleagues and I in our various institutions had a difficult time in trying to promote the improvement of academic performance: a few were receptive, most were indifferent, a few were hostile. Since I retired, accountability has become more respectable and much greater resources are devoted to it. On the other hand, the climate has become materialistic, dominated by money-saving and moneymaking to an extent I would not have enjoyed . Perhaps only a geriatric has the luxury of such views. But on the whole I'm glad I retired 14 years ago.

Vale Dr Ernest Roe, who died on 15 July, 2020 year aged 100, was a foundation member of HERDSA and served on the Executive for several periods and as President 1983-1985. In 1985 he was awarded Honorary life membership in recognition of his sustained contribution to HERDSA.  He took the lead in planning and conducting the highly successful series of national workshops on evaluation skills when the concept was in its infancy. He was the founding Director of the Teaching and Educational Development Institute (TEDI) at the University of Queensland. His enthusiasm, expertise, wise counsel, and seemingly boundless energy have been given freely to enhance the reputation of the Society. We are all greatly in his debt.