Fellows of Senate

Walter Albert Selle CBE

Mr Walter Selle CBE was a Fellow of Senate of the University of Sydney elected by the graduates from 1944 to 1964.

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(1883 - 1968)
CBE, MA Sydney
Registrar: 1924 - 1947
Fellow of Senate 1944 – 1964
Honorary Doctorate of Laws: 1967

Walter Albert Selle, schoolteacher and University of Sydney Registrar, was born on 24 February 1883 at Albury, New South Wales.

He was educated at Albury Superior Public School and for three years was a clerk in the local military office and also to the district school inspector. Moving to Sydney in 1902, Selle completed a one-year course at Fort Street Training School. After a short time at Croydon Public School, he taught junior classes at Fort Street Model School (Boys' High School from 1911).

Promoted by the headmaster, A. J. Kilgour, to teach mathematics, Selle obtained a first-class certificate and became assistant mathematics master. For several years he was assistant examiner for the departmental qualifying certificate, superintendent of all examinations conducted by the Commonwealth Public Service, presiding officer at several Federal elections and clerk to the returning officer. He enrolled in 1907 at the University of Sydney (BA, 1913; MA, 1924) and although an evening student was involved in student affairs: in 1913 he was elected a vice-president of the undergraduates' and president of the evening students' associations.

He was appointed clerk of examinations at the University in December 1913. His administrative ability and tact in dealing with staff and students did not go unnoticed by the Senate: he was appointed Assistant Registrar (1922), Acting Registrar (1923) and Registrar (1924 - 1947). He was Acting Vice-Chancellor in 1932-33 and again in 1948.

Continuing his involvement in university life, Selle was a director of the Union (1916-17), associated for over fifty years with the swimming club, a founder of Lodge University in October 1924 and its first director of ceremonies. For many years he represented the University on the Bursary Endowment Board (1924-61) and the Soldiers' Children Education Board. He retired in 1947, but continued as a Fellow of Senate until 1964.

Kind and considerate, he was greatly esteemed by his colleagues, students and parents. His wise counsel and almost encyclopaedic knowledge of University matters were invaluable to the Senate and Professorial Board. He was appointed CBE in 1960 and in 1967 was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Sydney.

Selle died in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on 18 January 1968.

Information source: Australian Dictionary of Biography