The life of humanitarian Herb Feith
Her Excellency Kirsty Sword Gusmão autographing a copy of Dr Jemma Purdey's book
A fascinating biography about former politics lecturer Dr Herb Feith, a humble man who made an indelible mark on all he met, was launched by Her Excellency Kirsty Sword Gusmão, wife of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste at the recent 2011 Herb Feith Memorial Lecture.
From Vienna to Yogyakarta: the Life of Herb Feith, authored by Dr Jemma Purdey, is the first major biographical study of the man who fled Nazi-occupied Austria as a young boy and came to Australia, going on to make peace and understanding between peoples his life’s work.
Dr Purdey is an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in the Centre of Southeast Asian Studies and the School of Political and Social Inquiry at the University.
In giving the official welcome Professor Rae Frances, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, said that with the tragic passing of Herb Feith in 2001, Australia lost one of its great humanitarians and its most distinguished student of modern Indonesia.
“Herb was a volunteer, scholar, teacher, peace activist and humanitarian. Much of his work lives on in the organisation he founded, Australian Volunteers International,” Professor Frances said.
“As a politics lecturer at Monash University from 1962 – 1990 he inspired generations of students to share his heartfelt concern for Indonesia, international politics, democracy, human rights, peace studies and conflict resolution.”
To commemorate Dr Feith's life, the Herb Feith Foundation was set up by the Monash University Council in 2003.
The Foundation created the Herb Feith Chair for the Study of Indonesia in the University’s Faculty of Arts. The Chair presents an opportunity to promote a better understanding of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, the third largest democracy, and of growing importance to Australia.
The inaugural Chair, Professor Greg Barton took up this position in 2007. Professor Barton continues Dr Feith's legacy by growing understanding between Islam and the West in his research and publications, teaching and international affiliations.
Herb Feith changed many people’s lives, and by giving to the Herb Feith Foundation you can help to continue his legacy. To find out more contact Preema Wong, Advancement, on +61 3 9903 4609 or by email preema.wong@monash.edu.
To obtain copies of From Vienna to Yogyakarta: the Life of Herb Feith, by Dr Jemma Purdey (UNSW Press) visit www.unswpress.com.au.