Frecker, G.A.

• Main Author: White, Linda, 1950-
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries 1994
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ead/id/458

The papers of George Alain Frecker were generated during the years 1934 to 1979 when Frecker worked with the Newfoundland Government as a public servant or served as an elected representative. Frecker had a long and distinguished career in the field of education as university lecturer, senior civil servant, Minister of Education and university chancellor. His papers reflect this long association with Newfoundland educational institutions and policy makers. - - The collection consists mainly of papers, correspondence and other material relating to the development of education in Newfoundland. There is a large collection of speeches (some of which he wrote for others), lectures and essays written by Frecker covering a variety of topics from events of the day to the dominant themes and issues in education. He wrote forewords and articles for many school yearbooks and journals and delivered numerous graduation addresses. As an educator he was a member of many education associations both locally and nationally. - - Two important educational influences are found throughout these papers: Frecker's adherence to the Roman Catholic faith and his affinity with the French islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon. Both Catholicism and bilingualism are evident in much of his work. Predominant themes which re-occur in his writings are the development of vocational education, audio visual education (especially the introduction of radio and television in the 1950s), and the role of religion in the Newfoundland school system. - - From 1964 to 1971 Frecker was Minister of Provincial Affairs. Here he was able to put into effect several projects that had long been of interest to him. The papers from this period reflect his involvement in developing several historic properties including Castle Hill in Placentia, the Newman Building in St. John's and the Norse site in L'Anse aux Meadows. There is correspondence with Burnham Gill, the provincial archivist, who supplied Frecker with copies of historical documents relating to the history of ...