How old is old...?

David Goodall being helped off a boat by two people.

 

"At the age of 102, Australia's oldest working scientist says he has not given up hope he can retain his office and freedom on campus after a Perth university told him to leave his post.

Honorary research associate Dr David Goodall has been inundated with support from around the country after the news he had been declared unfit to be on campus made headlines.

But at 102, Dr Goodall lives an exceptional life.

Still an avid traveller, he took a trip to the Abrolhos Islands, 60 kilometres off the West Australian coast with his daughter and a naturalist group in May this year.

Dr Goodall went on small boat tour to observe the seals and explored the deserted islands looking for wildlife.

He lives alone unassisted, does his own shopping on the weekends and travels to the Joondalup campus at least four days a week, making the 90-minute commute that involves catching two buses and a train.

Dr Goodall still enjoys reading Shakespeare and performs poetry to a reading group every week with 10 other friends."...

What an amazing example to all the human beings that think they have had enough of work at the age of 30...

Do you think he should be put out to pasture when his mind and intelligence are of someone half his age..?

 

7 comments

Was just about to go when I saw this post...I have the greatest of admiration for someone like Dr Goodall and hope with all my heart he retains his position at Edith Cowan University. 

We need role models like this wonderful man to show those who feel it is their "right" to retire at a certain age and have others support them financially.. that.. one can offer something useful to society at any age. 

Paid work is not the only useful contribution one can make...volunteering at any age is not only fulfilling to many but also helps those who suffer from depression....

Good topic Cranky... 

The Universities are cutting back on staff but compassion and respect seem to be lacking in this decision.

"At 102, David Goodall is Australia's oldest working scientist.

He's had a career in ecology spanning 70 years, producing more than 100 research papers, earning three doctorates and receiving a member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the field.

His work has taken him around the world, but these days you will find him at his office at Edith Cowan University.

He still goes to the Joondalup campus at least four days a week, making the 90-minute commute that involves catching two buses and a train.

Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.

VIDEO: David Goodall is also a keen theatre actor (ABC News)

 

"I have no social contact in the building where my flat is and few social contacts elsewhere in Perth actually," Dr Goodall said.

"But I know most of the people in my office corridor and it's very nice to be able to go and talk to them from time to time even though they may be pretty busy."

He has served as an honorary research associate at the university for almost two decades.

But now he has been told to pack up his office, with the university declaring him unfit to be on campus.

The Dean of the School of Sciences, Andrew Woodward, said the decision was made after numerous concerns were raised by staff and students about Dr Goodall's safety and wellbeing.

"This is not an easy thing for anybody," he said.

"This is not a decision we've taken lightly, this is something that has been considered over a period of time.

"We are now of the opinion where the situation is at a point where we really do need to make this change in David's best interest and our own."

It's another blow for the botanist who was forced to give up his second love, theatre, a few years ago when his failing eyesight prevented him from driving to rehearsals.

Off campus timeDavid Goodall sits at an office desk behind a computer.PHOTO: While the university said Prof Goodall could work from home, he has no room for an office. (ABC News: Charlotte Hamlyn)

 

From next year Dr Goodall will only be permitted on campus for prearranged meetings and will have to be accompanied.

His daughter, Karen Goodall-Smith, said that would have a dramatic impact on his sense of independence and mental wellbeing.

She expressed her sentiments to the university when it contacted her earlier this year to ask for her input.

"I said it would be the worst thing you could possibly do, I don't know if he would survive it," she said.

"After everything he has contributed, for them to do that, I'm appalled."

Edith Cowan University said it wanted to continue its relationship with Dr Goodall and had just renewed his honorary professor position for a further three years.

However, it said he would have to work from a home office.

"We're going to be providing a computer, a printer," Mr Woodward said.

"When he needs to come or he would like to come on campus for meetings or to interact with other staff and students he won't bear any cost for that, we'll arrange that transport for him."

Dr Goodall said he does not have room for a home office in his one bedroom unit and he was looking for an alternative space.

"I would be glad if they did reconsider it," he said.

"But I don't feel that I'm in a position to press it."

He said he was eager to continue to contribute to the university, even from afar."

It is obvious to me that what he craves is social interaction...he said "I have no social contact in the building where my flat is and few social contacts elsewhere in Perth actually," Dr Goodall". 

This I believe is a major factor in his wish to keep going to Curtin.  An office on his own somewhere would be quite lonely for him;  maybe some compromise could be made for him to continue going to the Uni  but I can also see the University's point of view.  

At 102 anything could happen at any time.

Anything could happen to anyone at anytime regardless of age,  he would have more stored knowledge than any and that will be lost. 

Interestingly I have a friend who is a Prof. Emeritus 77 years old who has just been hired as a consultant by one of the Mining companies for his abilities which are unmatched and it involves 12 hour days FIFO  funnily enough he said he wondered about the physical fitness of some of the 40 year old who couldn't keep up with him! 

 

Disgraceful and Edith Cowan Uni should be ashamed. This guy is a volunteer of the highest calibre.

His position is unpaid and largely involves reviewing academic papers and supervising PhD students, what a bluddy waste to get rid of him.

Yes, he could kick the bucket at anytime, but, is it not better to go off in a happy state and doing something  worthwhile?

I like his 'rage rage against the dying of the light'

 

What a wonderful man. Still has an enthusiam for life and always looking forward to the next project. That University should be utterly ashamed of themselves. This is what gives me the pip, bureaucrats thinking they know better. If he did kick the bucket, as Ray said, it would probably be through a broken heart.

 

 

 

Guaranteed within three months of his dismissal Hola, if that long..To cut off his lifeline would be on par to cutting an artery and it would finish him off...

Age should not condem a person of such value. Surely a carer could transport him to and from the university, and see to some of his needs...

I hope there is an uproar for his rights to continue the valuable work he is doing .

Whether he lasts one more week or several years he deserves better treatment and greater consideration.

It's another form of modern discrimination, Doctor Goodall has to go, He's too old and ready for the knackers yard..and to hell with the consiquences...!

Apparently Dr David Goodall has been inundated with support from around the country after the news he had been declared unfit to be on campus made headlines.

The esteemed ecologist has even been contacted by scientists in Europe supporting his right to work on campus at an academic institution.

And he now plans to fight to stay at the University ... hope he gets his way.

hope al goes well for him,  and he can continue to do what he obviously loves,    someone can be old at 30/40,     a lot has to do with your outlook on life,    i know people who at 50 think they are over the hill,    have no gumption to get up and go,    while the lady next door is 87 and still does her own shopping,   housework,   takes her great grand kids to the park,   [admitidly,   it is only a few hundred yards away]   but she is always on the go,     this man still has so much to offer,    as said,    to make him retire would be the end of him,   i wish him the best of luck,    and many more years, doing what he loves,

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