Swain, Marjorie Olive Burnham

Swain studied Arts at the University of Sydney from 1940 to 1945. Previously, she had studied in England; in 1925, she received the Diploma in Physical Education from Chelsea College and the Certificate of the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics (MCSP, subsequently the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapists).

In 1943, the Vice Chancellor of Sydney University recommended that "Swain (Assistant Lecturer) be transfered from the Board of Studies in Physical Education to the new Department of Physical Education in the University".(Professorial Board minutes 28 April 1943). Previously, from 1940, Swain's salary was administered by the NSW Government Department of Education through the Board of Studies; the money came from a Commonwealth Government grant to the University of Sydney.

The Calendars of Sydney Teachers College record that from 1941 to 1948, Swain was a Visiting Lecturer on the staff of Sydney Teachers College; in 1949-1952 and 1954-1959, a member of the Physical Education staff of the College. Her duties included the teaching of Medical Gymnastics to students enrolled in the course leading to the Diploma in Physical Education.

In 1960, the Registrar wrote to Swain on 30 Sept "Now the degree course for Physical Education has begun, you will now be attached to the University Dept of Education on Prof WF Connell's staff"( from Swain's University staff file). Swain's University staff history card indicates that in the period 1960-1965, she was on the University budget, until her retirement for medical reasons in June 1964 as a lecturer in education, in 1965 as a part-time lecturer.

The Board of Studies in Physical Education was established in 1940 by the NSW Government Minister for Education; its function was to set up a School of Physical Education. The Minister's Report to the NSW Government in 1939 reads "In this State a Certificate Course in Physical Education is to be conducted by the University in conjunction with the Teachers College."

In December 1941, the University Senate adopted the Professorial Board's recommendation for the establishment of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. The minutes of the meeting of the Faculty of Science 14 October 1941 record that the degree course was "prepared by the Faculty of Science in collaboration with members of the Board of Studies in Physical Education of the Department of Education". The proposed course included 3 years of science subjects with emphasis on physiology and psychology and a 4th year of education subjects; for details, refer to the Minutes of the Board of Studies September 1941. Although the University By-laws constituting the degree course were enacted and published in the University Calendars from 1943 to 1960, the course failed to eventuate.

University Archives used to compile these biographical notes other than those cited in the text:
Swain's student record card, University Salaries Registers, Minutebook Board of Studies in Physical Education 1940-1959.