Source: Massey University
The aerograms Professor Sims received in 1971 offering him employment.
Professor Sims and wife Cathy at Wharerata
Seven offices, six vice-chancellors, five grandkids, four sabbaticals, three kids, two houses and one wife. That’s what the past 50 years has brought for Emeritus Professor Ralph Sims, all while being employed at Massey University.
Professor Sims and wife Cathy hosted around 140 guests at Wharerata on 16 August to commemorate five decades with the university and 50 years married. Guests included past and present colleagues, family, and friends, with ages ranging from nine to 92.
Professor Sims and Mrs Sims moved to New Zealand from Newcastle in England in August 1971, after receiving an offer of employment via an aerogram. Another aerogram shortly afterwards from future colleague Dr John Baker, gave them an idea of what to expect of life in Palmerston North – with the average house price at the time being between $12,000 and $20,000, or a rental between $15 and $20 per week.
His first role was as a lecturer in agricultural machinery within the Agronomy Department, where he was to be paid $4300 per annum. Cathy took a job as a teacher at Freyberg High School. The pair purchased a rural home in Aokautere not far from the university, and there began their lives in New Zealand.
“We only intended to be here for two years but ended up staying 50. My father once told me that during your career, when you come to a fork in the road, take it! Obviously nonsense advice but it’s exactly what we did,” says Professor Sims.
During his tenure with Massey, Professor Sims has held several positions, and undertaken many international roles such as being a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for five major climate mitigation reports, as well as time spent with the International Energy Agency in Paris. He has also been a supervisor to numerous PhD and masters students.
At the celebratory event at Wharerata, guests wore name tags that also showed the year they first met Cathy and Ralph, which he says proved to be an excellent conversation starter.
When reflecting on what he’s enjoyed most about his career with Massey, Professor Sims says it’s the friendships he and his wife have made and maintained that have enriched their careers and lives here in New Zealand. He also fondly recalls the number of instances where he’s met past students while out and about in daily life.
“At the recent farmers’ protest, I was in town so walked across to talk with some of the protestors about their placards and controversial views on climate change. As I approached somewhat hesitatingly to initiate a conversation, one of the farmers called out “Ralph Sims!”, shook my hand and said “I always wanted to thank you for the A+ you gave me in 1979,” says Professor Sims.
And while being on the other side of the world from family hasn’t always been easy, a number of family members have been over to visit from the UK, and Professor Sims says when they’ve come to New Zealand they’ve understood why he and Mrs Sims chose to stay.
