At the University of New England, he directed the development of several degree programs, including rural science, agricultural economics, and educational administration which were the first of their kind in Australia.

Appointed as a lecturer at the University of Sydney, Madgwick worked in the school's extension program which gave him experience and interest in adult education.

[1] He later stated that his short stint as a secondary schoolteacher provided him invaluable experience because it taught, "that all young people are not equal either in ability or motivation, but that each one was a worthy object of my endeavours because each one was interesting in himself and because he had a right to be helped to achieve his potential.

[1][9] Madgwick's colleagues during this time included H. C. Coombs, who joined the faculty in 1932, Stephen Henry Roberts, and Ian Clunies Ross.

His thesis, published in London in 1937, was titled Immigration into Eastern Australia 1788–1851 and was one of the few scholarly works on Australian history to appear in print before World War II.

In 1937, he accepted appointment as Secretary of the Sydney University Extension Board (SUEB), which focused on adult education in surrounding communities, including lectures, tutorial classes, and study circles.

Madgwick held the position until 1940, often travelling to rural communities in the Northern Rivers and New England areas of New South Wales to present lectures.

[1][13][14] Madgwick disapproved of the SUEB's approach to its education program, finding it too rigid and conservative to appeal to a community of people with many different backgrounds and goals.

There is nothing at all wrong about this, providing adequate standards are maintained in both the lectures and the subject matter, for it can be established easily enough that the satisfaction of one interest or felt need will inevitably produce others, and the educational process continues.

[16]In 1938, as a member of the Australian Institute of International Affairs Madgwick attended the British Commonwealth Relations Conference in Lapstone, New South Wales.

[1][18][17] From September 1939 to March 1940, Madgwick designed and managed an adult education scheme for the Sydney University Regiment, commanded by Victor Windeyer, based at Menangle.

Madgwick was selected as its commander, titled "Assistant Adjutant General (Education)", and commissioned with the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel.

The goals of the program included improving morale, fostering civic responsibility, providing diversion from the tedium of military life, and preparing servicemen and women to enter the workforce after demobilisation.

[1][35][36] Beginning in June 1943, Salt was often censored by the Army's Director-General of Public Relations for ideas "damaging to morale", content of "questionable taste", and information which might affect security.

[1][35] The AES had its share of detractors who accused Madgwick and the service of attempting to politicise the Army's membership and harbouring left-wing, "subversive" instructors.

He played a major role in the establishment of the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme to provide government assistance to ex-servicemembers to complete or undertake university education.

They followed-up the conference with a formal, published paper, which called for heavy Commonwealth government involvement and expenditures on adult education.

[47][48][e] In response to the post–World War II baby boom, the New South Wales Department of Education, under Bob Heffron, queried the University of Sydney in 1951 on its thoughts about training and certifying schoolteachers by external studies and/or correspondence courses.

[51][1][f] Among Madgwick's priorities, in addition to the mandated extension program, was the expansion of the university's curriculum while orienting it to meet the needs and culture of the New England community.

At this time, most Australian universities were opposed to external degree programs because, among other reasons, they considered that they diluted academic standards and provided a sub-standard education.

In June of that year, Arnold Walter Eberle was appointed adult education officer, officially Senior Staff Tutor, Department of Tutorial Services, University of Sydney, for the college, a position he held until his death in 1954.

[58] Eberle, with Madgwick's support, selected courses based on feedback from the local populace as to what they wanted to study, rather than adhering to the University of Sydney's established curriculum.

Said Madgwick of the proposed program, "The reputation of the university may well depend on the success it achieves in finding solutions to problems of primary production as they affect this region.

[78][i] Throughout Madgwick's tenure with the university, he promoted closer ties between the school and the Armidale community by participating in committees and activities with local organisations.

"[79] In retirement, Madgwick moved to Canberra and worked as a consultant for John Gorton, Minister of Education, advising on grants to teachers colleges.

[1] As chairman, Madgwick took a somewhat hands-off approach to directing the organisation, preferring to provide his opinion as to how things should operate, then deferring to his administrators to decide what to do.

[92] Madgwick was usually on good terms with Hulme, although like with Darling they sometimes disagreed on the content of ABC's current affairs shows, especially This Day Tonight (TDT).

On every occasion, Madgwick, accompanied by ABC general manager Talbot Duckmanton, travelled to Canberra to answer each committee's questions.

[97] In early 1973, in an effort to foster a more independent organisation, Madgwick asked Whitlam if the ABC's employees could be removed from the Public Service Board, which administered the Commonwealth government employment system.

[100] Madgwick married widow Eileen Hilda McGrath, née Wall at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Wahroonga on 12 January 1971.