Vale David Goldney

Adjunct Professor David Charles Goldney AM, Doctor of Science (honoris causa), Charles Sturt University, ISCAST Fellow, passed away on Thursday 15 August 2024.

David was the youngest of six children born in Adelaide, South Australia. His father was a Methodist Minister, and his mother was actively involved in fledgling women’s movements. Growing up in a house filled with music and books, David developed a love for learning early on.

Significant contributions to science and education mark David’s career. He completed his science degree at Adelaide University in 1962, majoring in botany and biochemistry, and later earned a Graduate Diploma in Education. After teaching for a year, he accepted a lectureship at Wattle Park Teachers’ College.

In 1965, he married Joan Chapman. David and Joan are survived by two children, Alex and Jodie; their partners, Sandra and Stuart; and four grandchildren, Jenna, Finlae, Ben, and Jesse.

David’s academic journey led him to the University of Queensland, where he earned first-class honours and a Commonwealth Postgraduate Scholarship for his doctoral studies. In 1972, he joined Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE) in Bathurst as a science lecturer, initiating various research projects and involving student teachers in field ecology programs.

When MCAE became Charles Sturt University (CSU), David collaborated with postgraduate students and staff from various disciplines, forming research teams to explore the links between nature conservation and agriculture. He supervised numerous postgraduate and honours projects, led research teams, and engaged in major educational initiatives, conferences, and seminars.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, David focused on the relationship between nature conservation and production agriculture, raising awareness about land degradation and biodiversity loss. His work led to the ‘Save the Bush Toolkit’ in 1997. He conducted defining studies on the conservation values of the Central Western region and set up long-term vertebrate studies, including for platypus populations in diverse regions.

David was a great collaborator, working closely with various individuals and groups, and served as Deputy Chair of the Central West Catchment Management Committee. He received several accolades, including an Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Education award from the NSW Government in 1996. He was a member of many learned societies, served on editorial boards, and was the foundation head of the Environmental Studies Unit and an Associate Director and later Director from 1997–1999 of the Johnstone Centre. His extensive research and community engagement earned him a travelling fellowship to investigate the integration of nature conservation and production agriculture in North America, the UK, and Northern Europe.

In 2018, David was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to tertiary education in environmental science and conservation. He was also a fellow of ISCAST and initiated the local chapter, inviting speakers from ISCAST to present at local events.

David was remembered fondly at his memorial service for his deep Christian faith, humility, and involvement with community groups like the Uniting Church, National Trust, and Amnesty International. He was praised for his significant contributions to ecological research in the Central West of NSW, collaborating closely with farmers, Landcare groups, and Aboriginal custodians.

David was described as a generous educator with a great sense of humour, and his ability to reconcile science with his faith was particularly noted. The Bathurst Campus of CSU flew their flags at half-mast on the day of his funeral to acknowledge his dedication to science and religion and his generosity and support for the community.

Greening Bathurst chair, Ashley Bland, said: “Prof. Goldney was ahead of the mainstream in his ability to reconcile science and religion. While his faith was highly important to him, so was his defence of proper science and the value of research, data testing and peer review.”

“The environmental and faith-based communities in Bathurst will miss David. He was generous with time, knowledge, and financial support, and many of us will feel his absence a lot for a long time.”

This tribute was written by Dr Brian Stone, ISCAST Associate, colleague, friend, and PhD student of Prof. David Goldney.

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