Jule Knight joined the staff of the Registrar, Property and Plans, in a part-time capacity in 1969, following his early retirement from the Department of the Interior. His services proved to be so valuable that in 1979 the University sought, successfully, to retain them, by offering an appointment as a consultant.
Trained as a surveyor, Jule spent 20 years in the field, during which he worked in every state, on all manner of projects. His razor-keen memory for situations and people enabled him to add factual as well as anecdotal material to almost any conversation.
For the last 18 years of his 30 year career in the Department, Jule occupied the position of Chief Development Officer. In that role he had a great input to the setting of ANU boundaries, lease conditions and like matters. Many of the current ordinances governing the University's relations with the Department, particularly in regard to design and siting requirements, bear the influence of Jule Knight.
Jule was a man of great character, quiet and modest, yet full of determination when points of principle were raised. He was a person of uncommon conscientiousness, who displayed the highest degree of devotion to both his profession and his employers over a longer than usual working life.
Jule brought his wide-ranging knowledge of the development of Canberra from its early days to the service of the University in many invaluable ways. His seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of the workings of departments and other statutory authorities and of the realities that might otherwise have remained undetected in their files, made him an employee and consultant of irreplaceable value to the University.
Jule Knight lived a full and satisfying life both personally and professionally. Except for the last few months it was blessed with good health and companionship. He regularly played golf at Royal Canberra, where his proficiency was rewarded by a handicap which was the envy of many of his juniors. Shortly before his death Jule said that he had no regrets about anything he had done, or that he had failed to do. That was an achievement of considerable proportions. He will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to have known him, as a friend and as a colleague.
The University as a whole and those who knew him well are the better for that acquaintance. It is unlikely that his peer will pass this way again.
Ken Harrison, 'Knight, Jule (?–1986)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/knight-jule-572/text573, accessed 19 April 2024.