Story: Batham, Elizabeth Joan

Dr Batham discussing the Portobello aquarium

Hear Dr Betty Batham talking in 1954 about the equipment and work at the Portobello aquarium. Her remarks are interspersed with commentary by a radio presenter. (4 min 53 sec)

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Sound Archives / Ngā Taonga Kōrero
Reference: T1125

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In the laboratory, 1962

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John Jillett. 'Batham, Elizabeth Joan', Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, first published in 2000. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5b13/batham-elizabeth-joan (accessed 19 April 2024)

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I met Betty Batham about

Carole McArthur (not verified)
08 February 2011

I met Betty Batham about 1965 when I applied for a job as her research assistant or technician. I was 19 years old and was fortunate to be selected for the job from among candidates. I got the impression it was because I could row a boat well and was very strong physically. My days were spent at the marine station not long after Betty had received Golden Kiwi money to purchase the marine trawler the Munida. This arrived about the same time as I obtained the job. Doctors John Jillet, Robin Crump and Sebastian Reiner were all PhD students at the marine station at this time. Bill Tubman obtained the position as skipper of the Munida and was assisted by Stan Deans. I remember many days on the Munida sorting through benthic organisms on the deck of the Munida. I also remember many days running down the two miles of dirt road in the dark from Portobello late on a Sunday night. I remember visits by Pat Berquist, cadet hand, Dr McCammon from the US and many others who shared with Betty the cottage overlooking the marine station. I lived alone in ‘the crib,’ which overlooked the water by the penguin pen and dogfish pool, and I recall going diving with Betty when she undertook her first diving lesson at the Moana pool in 1966. I left Portobello in 1967, and in 1968 travelled for two years and then returned to the University of Otago to complete an honours degree in zoology. I also completed a PhD there with encouragement from Betty and later went ot the US to study medicine. I am now a tenured professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, much inspired by Elizabeth J Batham, who went missing and was presumed drowned during the period when I did my PhD.

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Story: Batham, Elizabeth Joan

Dr Batham discussing the Portobello aquarium

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Story: Batham, Elizabeth Joan

Dr Batham discussing the Portobello aquarium

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I met Betty Batham about

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