RICKLEFS, Emeritus Professor Merle Calvin

RICKLEFS. — Emeritus Professor Merle Calvin , AM

Monash University’s Faculty of Arts is deeply saddened to learn of the death on 29 December 2019, aged 76 years, of Emeritus Professor Merle Calvin Ricklefs, AM.

He came to Monash in 1980 as Professor of History, and used his considerable intellectual power and writing skills to create an exceptional historical legacy of Indonesia. Thanks to him Monash houses a substantial collection of Indonesian books and archival materials, built up steadily during his 13 years at Monash. As the co-founder and driving force behind the Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines (MOSA), Professor Ricklefs will be remembered for his deep and passionate commitment to education for indigenous Australians.

Appointed an Emeritus Professor by both Monash and the ANU, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, in 2003 Professor Ricklefs was awarded a Centenary Medal by the Government of Australia for service to Australian society and the humanities in the study of Indonesia. In 2017 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

On behalf of the Faculty of Arts and Monash University I offer our sincere sympathy to Professor Ricklefs’ wife Margaret, and their family, on their great loss.

Professor Sharon Pickering

Dean, Faculty of Arts

Monash University