Dale Harvey

GCA remembers first Executive Director

We note with regret the recent passing of our first Executive Director Mr Dale Harvey. Dale is remembered with great affection by those who knew or worked with him and his death is an event of some sadness for many, in Australia and internationally. 

When Dale took the helm in 1969, we were the Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA), established primarily through the efforts of university careers services. He continued in that role for more than twenty years. With minimal staff, and supported by the splendid Mary Brown as editor, Dale built the GCCA into a key organisation in the higher education careers area. GCCA was originally established to publish the Graduate Careers Directory (a forerunner of Graduate Opportunities), and Dale’s background in publishing in Australia and the UK ensured its success, despite a number of slumps in the economy and labour market. 

He saw the GCCA through many reviews, enquiries, and changes of constitution and direction. From 1972 until his departure from GCCA, he managed the Graduate Destination Survey (forerunner of the Australian Graduate Survey). 

In these major tasks, and in everything else he did, Dale always ensured effective communication with and support for university careers services, industry, government, and other agencies with unfailing good humour and dedication. 

For many, Dale was a great friend, fondly remembered. Sometimes a cliché captures the essential truth. Our friend and colleague in The UK, Bernard Kingston, on hearing of Dale’s passing, said “he was a true gentleman, in the best sense of that word”. 

GCA thanks Mr Steve Rawling for his personal remembrances.