George Munns

Herbert George Munns was born in Boulder and the family moved to Perth in 1918. As an unemployed man during the Depression, George was lucky to get several weeks labouring at the University site clearing the grounds for the Irwin Street buildings to be re-located. The job came through contact at church with Oliver Dowell, a University gardener. Soon after, Munns was employed as a labourer and from 1932 until 1971 it was his life’s work. The gardeners lived in University accommodation in Parkway and Fairway, as prior to the advent of reticulated water, their after-hours availability for watering was necessary.

Called up for service with the Army Labour Corps, the University confirmed he had been in its employ for ten years. As a member of the Brethren church he registered as a conscientious objector available for non-combatant duties. He served in the Citizens Military Forces in the Army Medical Corps with active service in WA, but he was sent to New Guinea to work on the Australian jungle trunk-line maintenance. After discharge in 1945 Munns returned to the University as Gardener, and in 1946 the Senate informed him he was promoted to Foreman Gardener. Later, Munns reminded Senate that due to war service he was four years overdue for long service leave. In 1951 the Vice-Chancellor approved a request by Mr Munns to hold over long service leave until after the planned Royal Visit in March 1952. In 1955, Registrar A J Williams informed him that Senate had altered his title to Curator of Grounds. To general approval he was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts degree in 1969.

Photograph from UWA Archives 2395P Seddon, George and Lilleyman, Gillian A Landscape for Learning: A History of the Grounds of The University of Western Australia UWAP 2006