◆ MY UNION
Obituary
Professor Pat Ryan 1946–2021 Professor Pat Ryan was an outstanding academic – teacher, researcher, administrator, mentor for many academic staff, students and general staff at Macquarie University, especially those in the School of Economic and Financial Studies, but not exclusively. Pat was an Environmental Lawyer, one of the first in Australia. She was learned but not dry, very intelligent but not over-analytical, tolerant and yet highly principled, uncommonly courageous, often speaking up when others were silent, perseverant but not obsessive, she could laugh at herself but never at another, as playful as a young child which made her games with grandchildren such fun, she could get angry but forgave quickly and easily, a wonderful teacher and mentor who, she confessed, often felt that she learnt more from her students than they did from her. She was appointed Professor of Business Law in February 1989 and then was elected by the staff to be the Head of School of Economic and Financial Studies from 1997 to 2001. The last of the 'Heads' to be elected by the staff, thereafter management chose the Head. She continued in the Department of Business until 2003, and was an Honorary Adjunct Professor from 2003 to 2011 in the Graduate School of Environment.
Environmental law Patricia’s work in environmental law was ground breaking. In 1971, together with the UNSW Foundation Law Professor, George (Curt) Garbesi, she co-developed and taught one of the first environmental law courses in Australia, a course she continued to teach until 1981. In 1972, Pat co-convened (with Peter McGonigal from Sydney Law School) the first Australian Environmental Law conference, 'The Lawyer in the Environment'. In 1974 she developed and taught the first Environmental Law course in what became the Graduate School of Environment at Macquarie. Pat continued teaching in the GSE until 2003. From 1981 until 1990, she was foundation editor of Land and Environment Notes in Butterworths’ Local Government, Planning and Environment Service. In 1981-82, member of the founding executive for NSW Environmental Law Association. 1991-1996, Inaugural Board member of Environment Protection Authority of NSW. Pat continued her editorial and committee work long after she retired from Macquarie in 2003.
A strong trade unionist and social activist Pat first became a member of the UNSW Staff Association when she was a Tutor in the Faculty of Law in 1972 and 1973. In 1973 Pat appeared as a witness testifying about the dreadful conditions and salaries of tutors at the Commonwealth Government Inquiry into academic salaries.
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Pat was a Life Member of the NTEU. She had a long history of actively campaigning for higher education workers’ rights and conditions, especially for women’s employment rights, and against the exploitation of casual teaching staff. Pat Ryan was an early organiser of political action on casual academics’ working conditions, and one of the few who, from very early on, expressed and facilitated solidarity between continuing and casual staff. Her social activism included participating in the first Women’s Day March in Sydney; volunteering at the Drug Referral Centre, Kings Cross (1970-1971), and the Redfern Legal Centre (1971-1973); being a member and convenor of Research Committee of Women Lawyers Association of NSW (1971-1974). Pat and her partner John were regular attendees at the May Day, Hiroshima Day and other union and anti-war rallies and marches until their illnesses prevented it.
Pat’s childhood Pat often said that she was just a simple country girl from West Gosford, who loved learning. From all accounts, Pat had a childhood full of delights. She was immersed in nature; from her mother she learnt the joys of gardening, especially growing flowers; from her father she learnt about the Australian bush, with weekly excursions and camping every year. The family had a menagerie of pets:, dogs, cats, and birds, mostly rescued. She cycled, swam, climbed trees and rocks with her younger brother Terry, fished, played tennis and basketball and explored the local environment. She loved her country primary school,
ADVOCATE VOL. 29 NO. 1 ◆ MARCH 2022
