Library to honour history professor

A public symposium to celebrate the work of distinguished Charles Darwin University history professor Alan Powell will be held at the Northern Territory Library next week.

Good friend and former colleague Emeritus Professor David Carment said the “Beyond the Far Country” symposium would highlight Professor Powell’s enormous contribution to Territory history and academia spanning more than 40 years.

“Alan has a remarkable record of achievement and has been extraordinarily productive over a long period of time,” said Professor Carment, who will chair the event.

“He’s the highly regarded author of journal articles, book chapters, reviews and the sole author of 10 books, including ‘Far Country’, the book you read first if you want to know about Territory history.

“And he’s still writing and producing books, and still an active member of the CDU community as an emeritus professor.” 

Professor Carment said Professor Powell’s knowledge extended beyond the NT to the political history of New South Wales, Papua New Guinea, and World War II.

“And he was a successful academic leader. He was a Dean of Arts at the University College of the NT and the first Dean of Arts at NT University. He had many students; he supervised post-graduates and influenced the people who worked with him, including me. He empowered and provisioned others to do things.”

Speakers will include Baiba Berzins, Alan Davis, Steve Farram, Clayton Frederickson, Martin Jarvis, Tom Lewis, Ann McGrath, Brian Reid and Sam Wells (for Mickey Dewar).

Professor Alan Powell: Beyond the Far Country will be held on Wednesday 31 May, 12 noon to 5.30pm at Northern Territory Library.