Joan Beck

Joan Margret Beck, BEM, (1918-2014) was an Australian archaeologist and fencer.[3]

Joan Margret Beck
Born(1918-12-02)2 December 1918
Summer Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Died14 January 2014(2014-01-14) (aged 95)
New South Wales, Australia
OccupationFencer, fencing instructor, archeologist
Parent(s)Edward Beck and Dora Beck (née Young)
RelativesJohn Young, building contractor and Mayor of Sydney[1][2]

Sport and fencing

In 1937 associate teacher at Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture.[3] After being introduced to fencing she was instrumental in the development of fencing in Australia in the mid-20th century. At the Swords Club she was coached by Owen Weingott.[3] She provided instruction in fencing in England (in 1951, she earned the title Professor of Fencing from the British Academy of Fencing) and later throughout the Sydney region, in schools, universities including the Australian College of Physical Education, and health settings, such as the Royal North Shore Hospital introducing fencing to paraplegic athletes, including Daphne Ceeney, and to Olympic athletes.[3] 1952 Beck took the position of head coach at the Swords Club and found new premises at Bjelke-Petersen. Between 1952 – 1972 Beck trained state and national teams and prepared participants for every Empire and Commonwealth games.[3]

Archeology

She studied archeology at Macquarie University and had extensive contact with Professor Naguib Kanawati, she worked on digs and went to Egypt 11 times and Greece 14 times. She supported the development of the Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology at Macquarie University and was instrumental in it becoming an active, heavily subscribed society. Her services to the university and to Egyptology led to the award of 'Honorary Fellow of Macquarie University'.[3]

Early life and education

She studied at MLC School, Burwood and Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture, and after retiring from fencing at Macquarie University.

References
  1. Sydneys Aldermen: John Young (1827-1907)
  2. Robert Johnson and Alan Roberts, 'Young, John (1827–1907)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University , published first in hardcopy 1976, Volume 6, (MUP), accessed online 19 October 2015]
  3. Weingott, (6 March 2014) Fearless fencer had force in the field: Joan Beck 1918-2014, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, p. 17
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