Awards > McKenzie Award > Royal Society Science Honours 2007

Royal Society Science Honours 2007

The McKenzie Award was presented at the Royal Society's 2007 Science Honours Dinner. The prestigious event acknowledges achievements across the whole of the science community and comprised a gala banquet and the presentation of science awards to eminent New Zealand scientists and technologists. Held at the Dunedin Town Hall on 19 November, it was attended by 300 guests and had an Antarctic theme underpinned by the concluding lines of Lord Alfred Tennyson's 1842 poem, Ulysses:

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

McKenzie Award for educational research was awarded by the New Zealand Association for Research in Education to the late Professor Roy Nash, of Massey University. Dr Mary Nash accepted the award on behalf of her late husband, accompanied by their son, Dr William Nash.

The abbreviated citation read at the award ceremony:

Professor Roy Nash, previously of Massey University, made a contribution to research in the broad area of sociology of education that is unparalleled in New Zealand, and of the highest standing in the international arena. Roy Nash developed a national reputation as the most influential lecturer in the sociology of education. Through his teaching he has influenced a whole generation of new teachers, policy makers, social workers and nurses who are professionally richer for having him as a lecturer. It is with considerable pride and pleasure that the New Zealand Association for Research in Education recognises Roy Nash’s contribution to education research by conferring on him its McKenzie Award.

Mary Nash's acceptance speech, accompanied by NZARE president Colin Gibbs

Mary Nash's acceptance speech:

I am grateful to the New Zealand Association for Research in Education for awarding the McKenzie Award to my late husband, Roy Nash and I am honoured to be able to receive it this evening on behalf of all his extended family.

I would like you all to know that Roy left school aged 15 with no qualifications and entered university through the Sussex University Early Leavers Scheme in 1964, a good example of positive discrimination for working class people.

Roy was always an honest man, in search of the Truth. In this respect, I believe he has set us all a good example.

Thank you all.

Roy aged 10, the eldest of ten children. He told that they grew up on the poverty line in a respectable working class environment. His mother knew that education was their only hope if they were to live easier lives than those of their parents. She was determined to ensure a good education for all the children, so when a travelling salesman came to the door selling encyclopedias, she bought the set on hire purchase. However, she kept it in its brown paper wrapping until the last payment was made, so that should she be unable to keep up the payments, she could return the set without owing anything!

Roy Nash and his granddaughter Miriam. Referred to as “Miriam and her Grandfather” in an article discussing syllogism as a product of a literate community. Ref: Nash, R. & Harker, R.K. (2006). Signals of success: Decoding the sociological meaning of associations between childhood abilities and adult educational achievement. In H. Lauder, P. Brown, J.-A. Dillabough and A. H. Halsey (Eds.), Education, Globalization and Social Change (p. 42). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Photos from the evening:

William and Mary Nash at the rehearsal. William brought a book, just in case.

From left: Professor James Chapman, Dr William Nash and Dr Mary Nash, all of Massey,
and Professor Colin Gibbs, NZARE president.

Colin Gibbs, Mary Nash and NZARE council member, Anne Elliot.
Unfortunately William Nash on Anne's left, was missed in this photo.

Mary Nash and Colin Gibbs leaving the stage.
The photo displayed shows Roy Nash with his granddaughter Miriam.

More photos from the event can be found on the Royal Society's website: http://www.rsnz.org/events/honours/2007pix/MyPhotos03.html