Weste, Gretna

Description

Agent TypePersonIdentifierUMA-AG-000000038Activities & OccupationsAcademics - BotanyHistoryGretna Weste was born in 1917, the daughter of Arthur Parkin, and Grace Parkin, a nurse. They immigrated to Australia in 1919 and settled in Surrey Hills, Victoria. Gretna spent holidays camping with family and resolved to be a botanist. She won a scholarship to Methodist Ladies College, Kew, and was awarded dux and prefect of the school in 1934. She was awarded a Government scholarship to the University of Melbourne and completed a Bachelor or Science in 1938 with the Exhibition in Botany. She was awarded the Howitt Natural History Scholarship, and researched reaction woods in Australian hardwoods for her MSc degree. She was employed as a research officer (temporary typist) for Forests Commission Victoria. She married Geoff Weste in 1941; raised a family and taught at Firbank Girl's Grammar, Brighton; was employed at University of Melbourne 1961-1983 as a senior demonstrator, lecturer, reader and Biology co-ordinator. She completed her PhD in 1968, and was awarded a DSc for her research. In 1989 she received the Order of Australia. Gretna moved to Tasmania in 2003 and was instrumental in setting up a Plant Pathology and Mycology Scholarship at the University of Melbourne in 2004. Dr Weste died in 2006. She is celebrated for her contribution to understanding Phytophthora Cinamomi - cinnamon root rot fungus.

Dates

Date1917-2006

Names

Given NameGretnaFamily NameWeste

Professional Relationships

Member of OrganisationSchool of Botany (University Of Melbourne)

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Weste, Gretna