2006 Media Releases
Tuesday, 22 August 2004
Stefano de Pieri delivers John Furphy Memorial Lecture: 'A Gondola North of the Divide'
The relationship between business and the university in a regional city is the theme of Shepparton’s John Furphy Memorial lecture, the second of which will be presented next week by well-known identity, Stefano de Pieri.
The title of the talk by the celebrated chef and entrepreneur will be ‘A Gondola North of the Divide’. It will be presented at the Harder Auditorium, Fryers St, Shepparton, at 6pm, Thursday 31 August 2006, by La Trobe University in association with J. Furphy & Sons Shepparton.
Like many people in the country, Stefano de Pieri is keen to see the development of regional universities. He is on the Council of La Trobe University which has a network of campuses in northern Victoria. Mr de Pieri supports the University’s efforts to maintain a strong regional presence. He also chairs the Mildura Regional Advisory Board of La Trobe University.
The lecture series commemorates John Furphy (1842-1920), a man of inventive mind who very successfully adapted farm machinery to suit the dry conditions of the Goulburn Valley, with his iron swingletree, spike roller, and grain stripper being among his notable early products.
His greatest success, however, was with his water cart, which was copied by other manufacturers but never surpassed. In 1985 it was acclaimed by the Institution of Engineers, Australia, as an outstanding example of agricultural engineering ingenuity.
John Furphy was also widely known as a leader of the United Free Methodist congregation in the Shepparton district. He expressed his essential philosophy of life in his ‘Good better best’ message on the cast iron ends of the water tank.
He took his sons into partnership in 1893, and the firm of J. Furphy & Sons continues in Shepparton today.
For further information:
This is a free public lecture. For seat reservations – and media enquiries – please contact Rhonda King Tel: 5821 8316 or Email R.King@latrobe.edu.au