A final wave for Dave after 50 years at Victoria
Half a century is something to be celebrated—in marriage, birthdays, cricket, and for Victoria University’s Dr David Burton, in teaching.
Half a century is something to be celebrated—in marriage, birthdays, cricket, and for Victoria University’s Dr David Burton, in teaching.
Dr Burton, who has been lecturing in Victoria’s School of Biological Sciences since 1966, gave his final lecture on Friday 6 May. He formally retired from the University in 1999, but has been returning to give extremely popular lectures to first year students since then.
Introducing Dr Burton’s final BIOL 114 lecture in front of more than two hundred students, Professor John Miller gave praise to his colleague and friend.
“Dave is a phenomenal role model with a wicked sense of humour. He has his own teaching style—one that involves humour and enjoyment, and one that attracts students.”
A biologist and slug specialist, Dr Burton completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree at Victoria, and a PhD at the University of Adelaide before being appointed as a lecturer at Victoria University in 1966. In that time he has taught numerous courses, and in particular introduced one of the School’s core courses on Sex and Evolution. He’s won a number of teaching awards, and has been largely involved in connecting with high school students at the University’s annual Open Day.
The 79-year-old says he’s learnt to never underestimate students.
“I’ve learnt as a teacher of first year students to make it enjoyable, and I think I’ve done that over the years. I have really enjoyed my time here and lecturing. I still remember going into my first lecture and how nervous I was. But about ten minutes into it I knew I’d love it.”
Dr Burton’s daughter, Diana, is a senior lecturer in Victoria’s School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies.
Dr Burton has taught a number of current staff members, including Associate Professor Ken Ryan and Dr Diane Ormsby.
“Dave was my supervisor for my PhD, and I was one of his first PhD students,” says Dr Ormsby.
“He’s inspirational—always finding innovative ways to explain difficult concepts. His students came away not only learning the concepts, but with stories to tell. Students even invited their friends who weren’t even taking science courses to come to his lectures, just for the experience.
“In one lecture he crawled over the surface of the desks past rows of seated students, and then pretended to “eat” a student’s hat just to demonstrate how an amoeba moves.”
Chris Thorn, a technician in the School of Biological Sciences, worked with Dr Burton for a decade. “Dave is just fantastic. He’s always accommodating and approachable. He will be missed.”