Joan Beck further papers and objects, with Beck and Young family papers, ca. 1853-2014

fonds

1853- 2014

Textual Records, Medals, Badges, Objects, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Ephemera

1122733

Joan Beck was instrumental in the development of fencing in Australia in the mid-20th century and also became a key figure in the development of the Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology at Macquarie University.
Joan Margret Beck was born in Summer Hill on December 2, 1918, the elder of two girls to Edward Beck and his wife, Dora (nee Young). Beck went to MLC School, then studied at the Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture, becoming an associate teacher there in 1937. Beck joined the Swords Club in 1946 and won the title of NSW Ladies Foil Champion in the same year. Frank Stuart, the head coach of the Club, asked Owen Weingott, to coach Beck, initiating an enduring friendship with the Weingott family.
Beck travelled to England to study fencing, and in 1951, earned the title Professor of Fencing from the British Academy of Fencing, the only Australian to have held this title.
In 1952, Stuart died unexpectedly, and Beck took the position of head coach at the Swords Club and found new premises at Bjelke-Petersen's in Castlereagh Street, where the club remained for the next 20 years. Beck trained state and national teams and prepared participants for every Empire and Commonwealth games from 1952 to 1972. Her pupils also represented Australia in seven consecutive Olympics from 1952. Working at Royal North Shore Hospital, Beck also introduced fencing to paraplegic athletes, and later, paralympians.
In 1972, Beck established a fencing salle in the heart of Sydney and she was instrumental in establishing national and state competitions for juniors. In 1976, Beck represented Australia at the International Olympic Conference held at ancient Olympia, Greece, and later that year, she was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to sport.
Beck also developed a passion for archaeology and the ancient world. Beck visited Egypt 11 times and Greece 14 times and transformed Maquarie University's Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology into a thriving society. She organised lectures, continuing education courses and led tours to Egypt, all on a voluntary basis. Beck obtained her BA degree with distinction and her services to the university and to Egyptology were acknowledged with the title ''Honorary Fellow of Macquarie University'' in 1992. She was the first, and still one of the few, to receive this honour.

Reference: From obituary by Paul Weingott, Sydney Morning Herald, 6/3/2015

SERIES 1
Joan Beck papers (1918-2014), including Beck and Young family papers, ca. 1853-2014

SERIES 2
Joan Beck objects, 1871-1992

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Research & study copies allowed: Applies only to material in which the author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Out of copyright: Applies to photographs created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales