Frank Callaway

Sir Frank Adams Callaway was born in New Zealand. His early education was difficult due to the Depression, but he found a position in a firm of stationers and printers while continuing his violin studies and community musical activities.

When war began he enlisted for overseas service but was instead invited to join the New Zealand Air Force Central Band, playing bassoon and making musical arrangements for the Band. After two years he was given leave to become Head of Music at King Edward Technical College in Dunedin and to study part-time at Otago University from which he graduated MusB. A scholarship enabled him to undertake further study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, as well as a study visit to America before returning to New Zealand.

Callaway took up the position of Reader in Music in the Faculty of Education at UWA in 1953. He became Foundation Professor of Music in 1959 and was Head of Department until his retirement in 1984. He conducted the University Choral Society and lobbied for the installation of the pipe organ in Winthrop Hall. Callaway served terms on the Professorial Board, as Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and as a board member of the Festival of Perth. He became an internationally recognised figure in music education, serving as Treasurer, President and Honorary President of the International Society for Music Education, as well as President of the International Music Council of UNESCO. He was knighted in 1981.

Photograph from UWA Archives 61413P
UWA Archives; Pope, J and Birman, W and Bodycoat R Personalities and Places on Crawley Campus UWAHS 2013