We say farewell to

Elsie Hope Solly, AM, CFM

On the day of her funeral in Perth, WA, Elsie Solly was remembered on the campus of University of Canberra by former colleagues, who placed a floral tribute against her plaque near the south entrance to Building 1.  The plaque recognises her as a financial benefactor to the University of Canberra, but her contributions were wide-ranging, and not limited to financial generosity.

Elise Hope Solly was appointed as a Senior Lecturer to the then Canberra College of Advanced Education (CCAE) in 1968, and later to Principal Lecturer.  Elsie created several courses that were unique in Australia at the time, and that opened unusual and much-appreciated opportunities for many students.

On Australia Day 1983, Elsie was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to education, particularly in the field of secretarial studies.  This was an honour she treasured because, as she said, it recognised not so much her own achievements as those of her staff and students, as well as the support of colleagues who had encouraged her work.

Elsie had a lifelong commitment to improving opportunities for women, particularly through education and employment, and she was actively involved in a number of organisations like Zonta, and the Institute of Private Secretaries (Australia) that promoted these values.

She was also committed to protecting the rights of staff, especially in a new kind of educational institution such as the CCAE.  This was demonstrated by her considerable involvement in the CCAE Association of Academic Staff, of which she was the Foundation President.

Another of her visions was to have a place set aside as a retreat for academics and general staff to gather informally, to relax and socialise, and to develop professional friendships - a Staff Club.  Her delight in the UC Staff Club as a thriving reality was evident in each of her campus visits during her retirement.

The Elsie Hope Solly Prize, for outstanding performance in Mathematics by a female student, is an enduring reminder of her diverse contributions - educational, financial, and social to UC, and to its predecessor institution, the Canberra College of Advanced Education.

Her personal style of Westralian joie-de-vivre, was highly engaging - some students, as well as many colleagues, will remember her commitment to fishing and crabbing at Mandurah, and lucky ones will also remember sharing the fruits of that activity back in Canberra!  Many will also remember her sterling job of umpiring at Staff vs Student cricket matches, and similar sporting events.

On her return to Western Australia after retiring, Elsie developed her own sporting prowess in croquet; indeed, the croquet journal, Yardline, described her as a 'WA Croquet Legend'.

In 2003, Elsie was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal for services to the veterans' community; she had earlier received the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.

Elsie died on 1 March 2007, in a hospice in Perth, following her diagnosis with cancer of the salivary gland.  Some of us were able to speak to her in the days before her death, and though her speech was very limited, she did repeat her mantra: Enjoy! Many alumni will share our wish to mark Elsie's death, and her express wish was for donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Notice of her death appeared in The Canberra Times on 3 March 2007.

Elaine Eccleston

Ros Byrne

Thank you

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the University of Canberra Alumni and friends who attended our event on Wednesday 28th March. 

Please review our photo gallery of the event.

We look forward to seeing you again soon at our next UC Alumni event.

In the meantime, we would invite you to attend other University events, or to come on a public campus tour and have a look around at some of our new facilities.

Thinking about changing or enhancing your career?

If you are giving some thought to enhancing or changing your career and would like to investigate your study options, come to our postgraduate information night on 15 May.

UC Alumni

The University of Canberra established the Alumni Association to enable graduates, friends and staff to stay connected to the University and benefit from networking with one another.

UC Alumni assists interested groups to organise reunions, as well as a range of special events, services and publications.

Who can join the University of Canberra Alumni?

Membership is free and open to all graduates and friends of the University of Canberra.

If you would like further information about the University of Canberra Alumni please don’t hesitate to contact the Alumni Office.