We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Neville Symington (1937-2019), OE and member of  Allen Hall 1958-1964. 

Neville Symington was born in Portugal to British parents, part of a large Catholic family. He moved to England to study philosophy and theology whilst training for the priesthood at Allen Hall.

He worked for several years as a priest in East London within a socially deprived community which he grew to love. After he left the priesthood, and while studying for a degree in Psychology, he realised that he wanted to train as a psychoanalyst.

Neville undertook his psychoanalytic training in London and was a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society. He trained in the Institute of Psychoanalysis London and worked in the Tavistock Clinic from 1977 until 1985. He also qualified in Clinical Psychology.

In 1986 he emigrated to Sydney, Australia, with his wife and two sons. From 1987 to 1993 he was Chairman of the Sydney Institute for Psychoanalysis and between 1999 and 2002 he was president of the Australian Psychoanalytical Society.

Neville wrote twelve books and numerous clinical papers. He was an erudite but plain-speaking presenter and for decades he taught and lectured around the world to great acclaim. In 2013 he received the Sigourney Award in recognition of his contributions to psychoanalysis worldwide.

Neville Douglas Symington was born in Portugal on 3 July 1937 and was in Allen Hall between 1958 and 1964. He died after a short illness on 3 December 2019 at the age of 82.

May he rest in peace.

Words by David Kay.