Roy Douglas Wright
Encyclopedia
Sir Roy Douglas Wright AK (7 August 190728 February 1990) was an Australia
n physiologist, known to his colleagues as "Pansy Wright".
He was born in Central Castra, Tasmania
. He became Professor of Physiology at the University of Melbourne
from 1939 to 1971 and was later Chancellor of the University from 1980 to 1989. He advised the leaders of the optometry profession who were responsible for setting up the Victorian College of Optometry in 1939 and 1940 and helped plan the first four-year optometry course. He was involved again when the optometry course was transferred to the university.
He was a colourful supporter of causes, as his biography "Pansy Wright — A biography of Roy Douglas Wright" by Peter McPhee (1999) attests. He challenged students, colleagues and institutions, asserting at one time: "Whatever you do, whether you do it well or do it badly, do it brilliantly. Avoid mediocrity on all accounts".
In the Australia Day
Honours of 1983, he was made a Knight (AK) of the Order of Australia
.
He was the brother of Sir Reg Wright, a long-serving Liberal
Senator
from Tasmania.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n physiologist, known to his colleagues as "Pansy Wright".
He was born in Central Castra, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. He became Professor of Physiology at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
from 1939 to 1971 and was later Chancellor of the University from 1980 to 1989. He advised the leaders of the optometry profession who were responsible for setting up the Victorian College of Optometry in 1939 and 1940 and helped plan the first four-year optometry course. He was involved again when the optometry course was transferred to the university.
He was a colourful supporter of causes, as his biography "Pansy Wright — A biography of Roy Douglas Wright" by Peter McPhee (1999) attests. He challenged students, colleagues and institutions, asserting at one time: "Whatever you do, whether you do it well or do it badly, do it brilliantly. Avoid mediocrity on all accounts".
In the Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
Honours of 1983, he was made a Knight (AK) of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
.
He was the brother of Sir Reg Wright, a long-serving Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
Senator
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
from Tasmania.