Interview with Christel Schrank, Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon) and Ruth Robinson

Abstract

2017 marked the 40th anniversary of the first female RDA students graduation in 1977. These students began their studies in 1974, a significant event given that the Roseworthy Agricultural College had been a male only student institution since its establishment in 1883.

This interview is with three of those first female RDA Graduates: Ruth Robinson, Christel Schrank and Jane Cunliffe-Jones (nee Stapledon). They discuss some of their experiences and recollections as they worked through traditional barriers and broke new ground to complete their studies. During this period Roseworthy joined the 20th century approach to egalitarian tertiary education.