|
|
|
Dr Diana Temple AM
|
In the early 20th century, it was said of another distinguished Sydney University scientist, Edgeworth David, that he had ‘the rare gift of ennobling everything he touched’ (John King Davis). In the early 21st century, we don’t express our sentiments in quite the same language, but the meaning – an uplifting presence – applies to Dr Diana Temple AM.
With enormous generosity of spirit, Diana reached out to women, encouraging
them, inspiring them – not only women in the scientific world, but women walking
many different paths. She convinced them they had a contribution to make; she
made them feel supported, made them realise they were an important part of their
community and gave them the courage to persevere.
Nurturing and mentoring younger women within the university, Diana saw they
needed to meet like-minded women confronting the same challenges in establishing
and maintaining their careers. She saw that women’s career paths were seldom
straightforward, beset by challenges not faced by men. As another distinguished
woman, Mary O’Kane, said, professional ‘life is like a game of snakes and
ladders...’. Sometimes we find ourselves at the bottom of a magnificent ladder,
but we must always be ready to slide down a snake’. Diana knew professional
women needed encouragement to put their foot on that ladder and support when
they slipped on the snake.
Consequently, at ANZAAS in 1984 Diana and other insightful women founded WISENet,
Women in Science Enquiry Network. Diana was one of the Link team members listed
in the first issue of the WISENet Journal in April 1985 and she reappeared in
every issue until May 2003. For 10 years Diana also served as National Convenor.
Tireless in her organisation of WISENet activities for the Sydney group, she
remained active and a wonderful mentor to the end.
Diana saw the Journal as WISENet’s most important tentacle, taking the essence
of WISENet to people who were never able to attend meetings. Since Diana’s death
many women across Australia have acknowledged the significance of Diana’s
contribution in their lives, women who never met Diana but who found her support
in the pages of that Journal. WISENet and the WISENet Journal are in a way
Diana’s monument, so it is important that they continue their role in forwarding
women’s participation in science.
Diana led by example, achieving distinction in her professional life and
maintaining a loving family, yet she still cultivated a wide range of interests.
Whether it was literary discussion or the National Trust or acting as an
honorary attendant in the University’s art gallery after her retirement, she
brought to it the same uplifting, loving, generous persona.
Last night I went to bed thinking of Diana’s gentle way of bracing discouraged
women and of our last conversation which was about Segolene Royale’s chances of
becoming the first woman president of France. I woke laughing from a dream of
Diana saying, ‘Yes, Segolene, you can do it, we’re all behind you’. There’s no
doubt that Diana’s inspiration is acknowledged by women from Perth to
Wollongong, from Tasmania to Queensland, but we will have to wait to see what
influence she has with the French.
Many women share Diana’s family’s sadness today and extend their sympathy. Like
me, they have been privileged with her friendship. Thank you, Diana, for that
much-valued gift and for your enormous wonderful spirit.
|
|
