Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Linda Kristjanson shares a tribute to Professor Frank Fisher in her blog Vice-Chancellor’s News. 

Professor of Sustainability Frank Fisher has spent the better part of his life advocating for a more sustainable and compassionate society. I expect anyone who has met Frank during his past eight years at Swinburne would agree he is a person who resolutely ‘walks the talk’.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Frank last year. I was immediately struck by his commitment and his integrity. My professional and research background is in palliative care, so we share a common interest in patient care and advocacy. 

Much of Frank’s work has focused on consumer health advocacy. Despite of (or as Frank would say 'due to’) his enormous personal challenges with Crohn’s disease, and enduring some 35 operations, Frank has used his chronic condition as an opportunity to create positive change.

He has advocated for a more coordinated, compassionate, integrated and holistic approach to patient care. He has served on a range of patient advisory groups, including his current role on St Vincent’s Health’s Community Advisory Committee.

But most people would probably picture Frank on a bicycle. A commuter cyclist since 1970, he runs courses for city cyclists to improve road safety. Frank’s approach is to help cyclists understand and respond to traffic in new ways. For example, wobbling at traffic lights actually encourages motorists to behave more responsibly because they are reminded of the cyclist’s vulnerability, he says. 

Frank originally trained as an electrical engineer, and completed a Masters of Environmental Studies in Sweden in 1975. His mission since has been to share his knowledge of sustainability - and awareness of how choices are framed by social constructs - with students and the general public.

Frank initiated the first inland wind farm in Victoria and the 35 turbines at Challicum Hills have been operating quietly now for almost a decade. But Frank says sustainability is found in people, rather than technology. With this in mind, he has developed several tertiary programs related to sustainability.

Frank was recognised for more than 30 years of environmental science education when he was named the inaugural Australian Environmental Educator of the Year in 2007.

His tremendous commitment and dedication to sustainability will be long remembered. Swinburne is proud to continue this commitment in championing the principles of sustainability. Our $140 million Advanced Technologies Centre has a five-star green-star rating. And even closer to the heart of Frank’s teaching, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and continuing to invest in sustainable infrastructure, teaching and research. 

A special event to celebrate Frank’s pioneering work will be held at Federation Square on 25 June. The event will also launch Understandascope, a new centre for sustainability thinking and practice based on his work. Frank will head the Understandascope together with Anthony James from Swinburne’s National Centre for Sustainability.

It is wonderful that Frank’s contributions will be celebrated in the heart of Melbourne on Monday night. Footage from the event will be included in a documentary currently being produced to celebrate Frank’s life. 

I invite all staff and students to post a tribute for Frank in this blog and join me in thanking him for his significant contributions to sustainability in Australia.   

staff stories

1 note

1. swinburne posted this