VOX

Vale Norman Curry (1931-2015)

The Revd Dr Norman Curry AM died on Saturday 11 July 2015 and will be sadly missed by all at the University of Divinity. He was President of the Melbourne College of Divinity from 1995 to 1997, having been a member of the College since 1973. An Anglican clergyman, Norman Curry was ordained deacon in 1961 and priest in 1962 in Melbourne and was associated with St Paul’s Cathedral from 1961 to 1999.

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1997 for service to education, in recognition not only of his contribution to theological education but also as Director General of Education in Victoria from 1982 to 1985 and as a Council member and Deputy Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

During his time as President of the MCD, Norman was privileged to confer the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology on William Deane, the Governor-General. This act was symbolic of his vision for the place the College could and should aspire to hold in Australian society: as President, he was critically involved in the evolution of the institution’s governance and reputation that led to the inclusion of the MCD on Table B of the Higher Education Support Act, bringing significant research funding to the MCD’s life, and enhancing a research culture which in turn played a significant part in the attainment of University status in 2012.

He was a generous benefactor to theological education in many ways, and in 2000 was himself awarded the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology by the College. The encomium for the award stated that “Norman Curry has never lost sight of the vision of theological education which honours God and serves the community”.

The funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday 21 July 2015 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, High Street, Kew.

About VOX

VOX brings members of the University, especially academic staff, into conversation with churches, the community and you. It publishes original material and may republish or link to items from blogs, social media and news media.