Obituary: Professor Pat Ryan 1946–2021

John Corbett

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.

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, was School captain at High School, and won a scholarship to Marist Sisters College at Woolwich for a wonderful final 2 years of high school. She was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1964, enrolled in Pharmacy at Sydney, missed a final exam when a train from Gosford was delayed. In 1965 did bookkeeping for a store in Gosford while studying accountancy at Gosford Tech night classes.

Pat’s mentors

In 1966, Pat enrolled in a LLB at University of Sydney. Prof Julius Stone lectured on Jurisprudence, his fascination with concepts of justice and reasoning infected her and nurtured her earlier schoolgirl wish to study law.

Her 1970 Master Solicitor, Morry Isaacs believed in civil rights and unions and was a powerful mentor who encouraged her to pursue an academic career.

In 1971-1973, her UNSW Foundation Law Professor, George (Curt) Garbesi, was an intellectual who inspired and guided her to think thematically, explore conceptual and factual relationships across subject matter and disciplines, relentlessly pursue an idea or documentary source, and to stimulate analytical rigour in students.

For the first half of 1974, Pat was a research associate with Mr Justice Martin Hardie in the NSW Court of Appeal; she sat behind the Judge in court and listened to the arguments and saw the final writing-up of judgments. This was invaluable experience for a young lawyer, in both practical and intellectual senses. Sadly, Justice Hardie died unexpectedly midway through the year.

At the end 1974, after discussion with Associate Professor Basil Shtein, Head of the Business Law at Macquarie, she obtained a Senior Tutorship in Business Law, on the understanding that she would continue to contribute to the emerging Centre for the Environment. Consequently, she became enthused about teaching law to students who didn’t intend to practise, and embarked upon a career-long love of researching and teaching environmental issues in a multidisciplinary context.

Pat never undertook a PhD, despite supervising and examining higher degree candidates throughout her academic life, including Supervisor of the Year Award 2004, Macquarie University Postgraduate Representative Association. However, the scope and size of her research-work LLM was considered as equivalent to a PhD. She obtained an LLM by thesis from UNSW under the supervision of Professor Harry Whitmore. on Compulsory Acquisition of Land, attempting to integrate black letter law with historical and jurisprudential elements of salient policy issues about confiscating property and compensation concepts.

Pat’s influential role in the life of Macquarie University can be seen through her active participation on so many of its boards and committees,active participation in over 20 University committees, including membership of Academic Senate. To recognise her contributions the University held a Memorial Service for Emeritus Professor Patricia Frances Ryan at the Arts Precinct Function Centre on 3rd June. It was organised by the Macquarie Business School. There were 10 speakers from different areas of Pat’s activities and more than 100 guests reminisced and remembered her contributions to their lives. It closed when a memorial tree for Pat was planted on University grounds in an area where she often walked at lunchtimes.

Some words from Pat's Memorial Service

Pat was a marvellous advocate. Her highly principled statements were usually flawless – typically presented clearly and logically. Sometimes (indeed quite often) they were contrary to the University corporate policy. However, they were authoritative and constructive, always pointing out what was ethically correct and realistic. When Pat was speaking, everybody sat up and listened. She is sorely missed. Emeritus Professor Brian Orr (Molecular and Optical Physics)

The Enterprise Agreement which she and her partner John led and had a large share in shaping is still a very bright spot in Macquarie University’s history. People have strong memories of Pat's graceful comments on Col Cashman’s contribution to obtaining an equitable agreement. She always had her eye on getting good things to happen and was more than happy to forego the credit in order to achieve it. Such leadership is so rare. Professor Deb Kane (Physics and Astronomy)

In the Macquarie Branch, we often refer to Pat and her partner John, both NTEU Life Members, as 'St Pat and St John', in recognition of their huge contributions to the Union over the years. John (as Branch President) and Pat were members of the Branch’s first ever Enterprise Bargaining Team in the mid-1990s. Their negotiations yielded a strong first Enterprise Agreement for us to build on in subsequent rounds, when its provisions were extended to General Staff. They also established a strong bargaining and campaigning culture within the Branch, that stood us in good stead over subsequent rounds. This is an enduring aspect of Pat’s legacy. Cathy Rytmeister, Learning Analytics Manager, Macquarie Uni

Pat Ryan was seen by union members and management alike to be strong, fair and reasonable, whether as a manager or an advocate. Across the University, her integrity and common sense were both valued and respected. Michael Thomson, former NTEU NSW Division Secretary

Pat was a modest and sensitive person. She credited the people around her for helping her in many ways, she thought herself lucky to have had such helpful work colleagues. E.M. Forster’s words fit Pat, ' She was sensitive for others as well as for herself, she was considerate without being fussy, her pluck was not swankiness but the power to endure, and she could take a joke.' As a travel companion Pat was intelligent, imaginative and open to new experiences. Pat and John explored, usually on foot, with open minds and had fascinating and unexpected adventures everywhere they went.

Pat was a strong woman whose being was diffused with love; love of life, love of learning, love of justice, love of nature as well as love for people. If it is true that that which survives of us is love then much of Pat’s love will survive through her daughter Danielle, her granddaughter Coralie, friends, colleagues, students, her almost grandchildren and her partner, John. She was calm and wise even in the face of her illnesses. She had a wicked sense of humour and we will continue to miss her laugh, her sparkling eyes, her quick wit and her patient wisdom. Dr John Corbett, Mathematical Physicist and Pat’s partner. ◆

John Corbett