On the 25th August 2015 the African Studies community lost a great scholar and dear friend. Cherry Gertzel died peacefully at her home surrounded by her books. Cherry taught and researched from 1958 to 1975 as a staff member at, in turn, Makerere University – Uganda, Nairobi University – Kenya, and at The University of Zambia. She returned to Australia in 1975 and became a staff member at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia between 1975-1993. She subsequently moved to Curtin University between 1993-1997, and remained an Adjunct Professor in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Curtin University, and was an Honorary Research Fellow in the History Department at the University of Western Australia, until her retirement. She engaged in research relating to the politics and administration of the three east African states, but also on more widely ranging issues of social change. She continued with her research until the end. Between 1982-1986 Professor Cherry Gertzel was the President of the African Studies of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP), and was the Editor of The Australasian Review of African Studies (ARAS) between 1984-2004. She was a tireless campaigner for Africa and African studies in Australia. She will be missed.
Selected Publications by Prof. Cherry Gertzel
1984 AFSAAP Presidential Address
Makerere 1984: the Problems of Reconstruction
Tracking Tsetse and other insect pests with Icipe in Kenya
Parliamentary Report on Australia’s relations with Southern Africa
Gertzel_Response to the Jackson Report
Note from the ARAS Editor 2004
Last note from the ARAS Editor 2004
Gertzel Submission to Review of Australia’s Relations with the countries of Africa (2009)