He loved the arts

Associate Professor Les Killion (from the School of Humanities and Communication) writes:

In every sense of the term, having been the former CIAE Director, Arthur was our first Vice-Chancellor having had that title (and the title of Professor) bestowed on him following the 1991 transition from Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education to what became the University College of Central Queensland, the precursor of the University of Central Queensland, Central Queensland University and now CQUniversity Australia.

Arthur had a great love for classical music and, during his days as Institute Director, he organised and hosted regular lunch-time ‘concerts' in what became the Helene Jones Room which had been constructed acoustically for the purpose and which in those days was regarded almost as a ‘sacred place'.  These ‘concerts' were essentially ‘brown bag' affairs to which Arthur would bring his latest classical music tape, and later CD, with the invitation for staff to attend the ‘performance' following which he often offered his personal evaluations and interpretations of the performance.  Arthur's support for the arts both within the University and within the wider community was subsequently acknowledged not only in the naming of the Arthur Appleton Building but the Arthur Appleton gallery within it.  In his time as Director and VC the University's art collection added several significant works, together with the established tradition of full size portraits being commissioned of VCs and Chancellors.

Graduations were both visual and culinary spectacles.  Arthur instigated what became a well-supported community tradition of holding outdoor graduation ceremonies on the lawns behind the library, itself opened by Princess Alexandra during Arthur's period of institutional leadership.  The visual spectacle of graduation was followed by a then traditional chicken and champagne luncheon for graduates and their families which Arthur organised in association with his good friend Bill Fitzgerald who was at that time Principal of the Capricornia Residential College. Arthur and Bill's wives, June and Anita, were in partnership in running what was then the very popular ‘Captain Nemo's' sandwich shop in William Street.

Arthur was a fairly demanding task master especially at times of visits by representatives and panels of the former Queensland Board of Advanced Education (BAE) to which we were accountable. Arthur was, however, generous with his time to participate actively in staff and union meetings and panel debates.  He was fiercely loyal to the institution at a time when we were in serious competition with the then Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) and the two institutions proceeded in parallel to achieve their ambitions for university status.

He was determined

Tony Gubbins (retired staff member) writes:

While other universities, namely in Toowoomba and Townsville were ‘dithering' about opening regional campuses, Arthur led an assault on regional areas in our bailiwick and as a consequence we became very much involved in the educational and research activities throughout the region well before the others.

I remember Arthur well. I served several terms on CIAE and University Council with Arthur and was there when we opened campuses in Mackay, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Emerald, all of which occurred under Arthur's leadership. I saw him as a mentor when I was a student and later, a staff member of council. He enriched the lives of many of his staff and the general community.

I remember him saying to me once that the best committee to serve on was a committee of one. He was the Art Acquisition Committee, which he loved!

He planned for the future

Graham Black, Director, Division of Library Services

I was only here for a few months before Arthur left. Dr Appleton was a driving force preparing for the conversion of the CIAE to university status. He made a particularly strong contribution developing the University's art collection. He was also instrumental in commissioning the sculpture around the library building making it an iconic building on the Rockhampton campus.

He was pleased

Professor Kevin Fagg (retired) writes:

Dr Appleton was very proud of [the] period of recognition as the University's first Vice-Chancellor.

He loved the campus grounds... and his computer

Maxy Barron writes:

I fondly remember my brief time with Dr Appleton in 1989, when I was his Acting Secretary for 6 weeks while his Secretary was on leave. Dr Appleton was highly respected by both academic and general staff, and knew most of them very well.  He was very kind and thoughtful, especially when I developed a severe and very obvious cold!

He loved his cups of coffee, and was very proud of the rapid growth of all the trees and shrubs being planted in the grounds of the "Institute". His enthusiasm for the computer on his desk was very infectious, and he was pleased that I had some knowledge.  He explained and discussed how he saw his vision of desktop computers, and how the network would expand worldwide. At the time computers were networked only through the university system worldwide, and the one he used was a greenscreen Apple which facilitated his professional communications with Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.

He believed in me

Judith Anderson, General Manager, Queensland Ballet writes:

When Arthur Appleton offered me the position of Personnel Officer of Capricornia Institute in 1982, I had a grab-bag of qualifications and experience, none of which specifically included human resources management. However, Arthur was prepared to take a gamble on me. I've always been grateful for this and for the support and opportunities he gave me in the years which followed, particularly being asked to set up the International Education program and being sent to the RAAF language school at Point Cook in Melbourne for a three-month intensive course in conversational Bahasa Indonesia to prepare me for the College's first foray into the Indonesian market.

I also remember Arthur as someone who loved music, and after his retirement, I often heard his rich, bass voice when he was rehearsing or performing with the Queensland Choir here in Brisbane.

He was an important mentor to me and gave me exceptional opportunities for which I remain grateful today.