Students, sports groups remember legendary UTAS economics professor Dr Bruce Felmingham

Tributes have flowed from across academic, business, and sporting communities for former University of Tasmania economics professor, Dr Bruce Felmingham, who died last week aged 85.

Former University of Tasmania economist Bruce Felmingham.

Tributes have flowed from across the state’s academic, business, and sporting communities for former University of Tasmania economics professor, Dr Bruce Felmingham, who died last week aged 85.

Former students – including renowned economists Saul Eslake and Dr Angela Jackson – remembered an entertaining character who helped make economics engaging, while old club-mates paid tribute to the positive contributions he made to both the North Hobart and University football clubs.

Dr Felmingham’s former workplace recalled a lecturer who was totally committed to his students, and a man generous in sharing his knowledge outside the university setting.

“Bruce was an outstanding scholar and educator, and for 35 years, he inspired students to study economics,” UTAS executive dean of business and economics, Professor Stuart Crispin, said.

Economist Bruce Felmingham pictured at the 2011 TCCI state budget breakfast.

“He played a critical role as a public academic in the state, providing expert commentary and analysis on a range of economic issues impacting our community.

“He was passionate about the University and was a larger-than-life presence on and off campus.”

Mr Eslake, a former chief economist at ANZ, said Dr Felmingham loomed large throughout the economics degree he completed at UTAS in the 1970s.

While Dr Felmingham “knew his stuff” across a diverse range of subjects, Mr Eslake said the professor was also an outgoing presence on campus, joining in sporting teams and popping up regularly at the uni bar.

Leading economist Saul Eslake. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“Bruce was just a very nice man in that way, he took an interest in students, and was encouraging to them,” Mr Eslake said.

“And he was often funny and entertaining in the way that he would talk to students, and give his lectures.

“But the other thing that I think is important about Bruce is that he would contribute to public debate about economic issues, particularly as they affected Tasmania, in the column he used to write for the Mercury.”

Former Labor MP Scott Bacon. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

Impact Economics lead economist, Dr Angela Jackson, recalled a man who took his public responsibilities as an economic expert seriously, but who was primarily concerned about the educational outcomes of the students under his tutelage.

“Those of us specialising in economics were a fairly small group after first year, and Bruce gave a lot of leadership and mentoring to students about the role we could play, and was very encouraging and supportive,” Dr Jackson said.

“He showed that through educating the next generation, you can have ongoing impact.”

Economist Dr Angela Jackson.

Former Tasmanian parliamentarian, Scott Bacon, said he first became aware of Dr Felmigham’s impact on the Tasmanian community during policy discussions on the sidelines of North Hobart Oval during football season.

“He was always there at the ground, you couldn’t go to a home game in North Hobart and not see him,” Mr Bacon said.

“And once I got into parliament, he’d always pull me aside and give a bit of feedback if he agreed with something I’d done or if he didn’t agree, but always with good humour.

“He was just a genuine person.”

Former North Hobart Football Club president Craig Martin. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Former North Hobart president Craig Martin, who will speak at Dr Felmingham’s memorial service on Thursday, said the former club player and administrator was a wonderful father, husband, and a man who served his community selflessly over many years.

Dr Felmingham played 52 games as a reserve and senior North Hobart player, was made a life member in 2002, and inducted into the Demons Hall of Fame in 2007.

“He was a wonderful person, an engaging man of great warmth, wisdom, decency and intelligence,” Mr Martin said.

“The North Hobart Football club will always remember Bruce with great love and respect.”

Dr Felmingham also played more than 60 games for the University of Tasmania football club, where he coached, and served as club president.

Dr Felmingham is survived by his daughters Fiona and Kim.

Originally published as Students, sports groups remember legendary UTAS economics professor Dr Bruce Felmingham