MARTIN. — Emeritus Professor Raymond Leslie Martin, AO
Monash University is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Emeritus Professor Raymond Leslie (Ray) Martin AO, on 25 February 2020, aged 94 years.
Professor Martin became Monash’s third Vice-Chancellor in 1977 and served in that role with great distinction for a decade. He set about bridging the gap between academia and industry, forging a new path towards financial self-reliance. In a period of government funding austerity, he managed to generate a spirit of enterprise and innovation within the Monash community, building on its youthful momentum.
Professor Martin oversaw the establishment and development of a number of important centres of research and graduate teaching, encouraging innovation but making sure the University retained its high-quality scholarship.
He will be remembered for his friendly, engaging personality which often belied a strong resolve. An illustrious scientist and Cambridge Exhibition scholar, his management style bore many of the hallmarks of his academic training, namely a strong adherence to excellence and a reliance on objectivity in decision-making. To these he added his personal brand of good humour and generosity of spirit.
At the end of his period as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin reverted to a Monash Chair in Chemistry and was also able to bring his talents to bear on the wider aspects of scientific policy in government positions. He was a fellow of many of Australia’s top scientific bodies. He was also a passionate supporter of the arts, a love of which was instilled by his mother, who was an accomplished pianist.
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1987 for his services to science and higher education; in 1992 Monash conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
Monash University acknowledges with gratitude the life and work of Professor Ray Martin and extends its sincere sympathy to his four children on their great loss.
Professor Margaret Gardner AC
President and Vice-Chancellor
Monash University
Location: Melbourne
MARTIN. — Emeritus Professor Raymond Leslie Martin, AO
Monash University is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Emeritus Professor Raymond Leslie (Ray) Martin AO, on 25 February 2020, aged 94 years.
Professor Martin became Monash’s third Vice-Chancellor in 1977 and served in that role with great distinction for a decade. He set about bridging the gap between academia and industry, forging a new path towards financial self-reliance. In a period of government funding austerity, he managed to generate a spirit of enterprise and innovation within the Monash community, building on its youthful momentum.
Professor Martin oversaw the establishment and development of a number of important centres of research and graduate teaching, encouraging innovation but making sure the University retained its high-quality scholarship.
He will be remembered for his friendly, engaging personality which often belied a strong resolve. An illustrious scientist and Cambridge Exhibition scholar, his management style bore many of the hallmarks of his academic training, namely a strong adherence to excellence and a reliance on objectivity in decision-making. To these he added his personal brand of good humour and generosity of spirit.
At the end of his period as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin reverted to a Monash Chair in Chemistry and was also able to bring his talents to bear on the wider aspects of scientific policy in government positions. He was a fellow of many of Australia’s top scientific bodies. He was also a passionate supporter of the arts, a love of which was instilled by his mother, who was an accomplished pianist.
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1987 for his services to science and higher education; in 1992 Monash conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
Monash University acknowledges with gratitude the life and work of Professor Ray Martin and extends its sincere sympathy to his four children on their great loss.
Professor Margaret Gardner AC
President and Vice-Chancellor
Monash University
