Postgraduates seek donations for prize in memory of tutor
University of Queensland Classics and Ancient History postgraduates are raising money to establish an annual prize in memory of tutor and postgraduate Carole Chandler, who died in July after a two-year battle with cancer.
Classics and Ancient History Department research assistant Penny Peel, one of Mrs Chandler's close friends, said Mrs Chandler joined the University of Queensland at 18 as a medicine student.
"Carole left after a year for financial reasons, but she returned in 1983 to this Department and went through with excellent results," Ms Peel said.
Mrs Chandler enrolled in a masters course and tutored in the Department from 1987 to 1997.
A Bronze Age specialist, Mrs Chandler frequently gave seminars for schools in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, where she talked about death in Egypt.
She also served as president of the Committee of Postgraduate Students until illness forced her to withdraw.
Ms Peel described Mrs Chandler as "a very special lady" whose students and colleagues loved her.
"The postgraduates, without prompting, decided that there should be a memorial prize and they are moving heaven and earth to raise funds for it," she said.
In the midst of her own illness, Mrs Chandler had shown great concern for a fellow postgraduate whose husband had cancer, Ms Peel said.
"(The student) tells me that Carole rang her every day. Right up until she went into hospital for the last time, she was a great support," she said.
"Carole was there for her friends and her students no matter what. Her support was real - it wasn't just words. She'd give of her own time and her own strength when both were running out.
"I'll always be very proud that she called me friend."
PhD student Jim Stewart said details of the prize were still being negotiated with Mrs Chandler's family.
For more information, contact Jim Stewart (telephone 3365 2643 or email s240477@student.uq.edu.au).
