Charles Fenner
Charles Albert Edward Fenner (18 May 1884 – 9 June 1955) was an Australian geologist, naturalist, geographer and educator. History. Fenner was born in the town of Dunach, Victoria (near Ballarat), the fifth child of German born Johannes Fenner and Mary Fenner, née Thomas, of Adelaide. After leaving school he embarked on an apprenticeship as compositor with the "Talbot Leader" a local newspaper. He won a scholarship to attend Melbourne Teachers' College, and graduated BSc with Honours and Dip. Ed. in 1913. Fenner taught at several Victorian schools before being appointed (joint?) principal of the Ballarat School of Mines  in November 1914. He also had charge of the school's Geology department, the teaching of which was favorably commented on by examiners. He paid particular attention to field work, which the students enjoyed, as well as being important to their education. Fenner also prepared students for the Geology examinations at Melbourne University, with notable success. In 1916 he accepted the post of Superintendent of Technical Education in South Australia, a position he held until May 1939, when he was appointed acting Director of Education in place of W. J. Adey who was on the eve of retirement. In September  1939 he succeeded Adey as Director of Education and held that position until 1946, when he retired due to ill health. He worked as a volunteer for the South Australian Museum, pursuing his research into tektites, among other interests, until 1954 when he suffered a stroke, and died a year later. His remains were buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery. Other interests. Fenner was president of the Royal Society of South Australia in 1931, and a member of the board of governors of the Public Library. Most of his spare time is spent in research and on geology excursions. He  was particularly interested in australites, small glassy, often button-shaped, objects found on the Nullarbor Plain and elsewhere in southern Australia, believed to be ejecta from a large meteorite that landed in China. Recognition. Fenner won the A portrait of Fenner by Beulah Symes Leicester was a finalist for the 1938 Archibald Prize. A portrait by his friend Ivor Hele was held by Croydon Park College of Further Education. Bibliography. Fenner was the author of six books, including: Other publications. Royal Society of Victoria: Royal Society of South Australia: Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science Royal  Geographical Society of Australasia, S.A. Branch Others For 25 years he wrote an "unbroken series of weekly articles on science for two Victorian newspapers", perhaps alluding to his articles as 'Tellurian' for "The Australasian" of which this and this are examples. It appears however, that 'Tellurian' was not one single person. Family. Fenner married teacher Emma Louise "Peggy" Hirt in Ballarat on 4 January 1911. Their five children were: They had a home at 42 Alexandra Avenue, Rose Park. After Fenner's death Peggy moved to 10 Springbank Road, Panorama