Comments on: Stood down for Standing up for what he believes in…

By: Kate Mulvany

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:31:48 +0000

I never studied under John as a student, but his honesty, integrity and support for the Australian industry as well as his students is an education in itself. UNSW should be utterly ashamed of the treatment of their educators and the censorship of their voices.

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By: Allie

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:47:06 +0000

Being the “keeper of the notes” I wish to add to the voices of support for John McCallum.
Being offered the opportunity to take a “precocious” 12 year old down to the UNSW I was rather nervous at what may be on offer.
Meeting with and talking with John gave this mother of a newly ‘diagnosed’ ‘gifted and talented’ daughter the reassurances and support so sorely missing in the country areas at the time.

I hope that this blog and the awareness it brings will help the UNSW realise that John is indeed known and respected, not just in Sydney, not just in academia, not just in the theatre practicioners spheres, but also in small country towns wherever he touched and supported the lives of students lucky enough to meet, work and learn with him.

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By: Alice Livingstone

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:06:20 +0000

Shame on UNSW. Yet another indication of academia and the joyous reason for tertiary education getting shafted by bean counters and economic rationalists. Johm McCallum made my MA years count for so much, and since has generously given of his time and knowledge when asked. Hopefully the powers that be will come to their senses.

Alice Livingstone, Producer, Focus Theatre

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By: James Waites

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:59:03 +0000

I am beyond shocked – John is a superbly decent guy and a ‘leader in his craft’ as a critic. Like others I implicitly trust his call on any decision that needed to be made – re wotever is going on at UNSW.

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By: Suzie Miller

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:27:43 +0000

My first ever foray into really understanding Australian Theatre was while studying for my MA in theatre (UNSW) and in John McCallum’s ‘Australian Plays’ class. His influence and wisdom, not to mention his academic credentials and commitment to Australian theatre cannot be praised highly enough. He is a man of integrity, extraordinary intelligence and consideration. I admire his courage and commitment for taking this stand. I feel ashamed of a university where I have both studied and lectured, this treatment of an esteemed academic is without doubt unjust and reeks of strategic management rather than intellectual rigour and brave leadership. When a university acts as thus, something sacred is lost.

Suzie Miller, Australian Playwright.

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By: Felix Gentle

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:48:20 +0000

I am a BA (theatre) graduate from UNSW. I had the privilege of studying under John McCallum. And I simply cannot believe the farcical stance that the University is taking, by standing down such an eminent lecturer and educator, for fighting for what he believes in. For shame. The board needs to take a good, long, hard look at itself and decide what is most important.
When an academic, as widely respected as John, becomes collateral damage, what hope is there for the future of theatre studies and practice within the university?
I am so incensed at this ridiculous injustice, that I feel compelled to return my BA to the university forthwith. They should be ashamed of themselves.

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