A premier honour

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Tags: Arts, Graduations, honorary doctorate, law, summer-2010

Anna Bligh speaks after receiving her honorary Doctor of Laws

The career achievements of two prominent UQ alumni were celebrated during graduation ceremonies in July.

Honorary doctorates were presented to the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and former High Court judge, Justice Ian Callinan AC, QC.

Both received Doctors of Laws honoris causa.

Dr Bligh’s award was in recognition of her distinguished career and service to the state, and Dr Callinan’s degree acknowledged his significant contributions in the fields of law and the arts.

Dr Bligh was born in Warwick, and attended schools including Miami State High School on the Gold Coast.

She was awarded her UQ Bachelor of Arts in 1981, and was elected as the member for South Brisbane in 1995. She became a Minister in 1998, and Deputy Premier in 2005, before being sworn in as Premier in September 2007.

As Premier, she works alongside Queensland universities to cultivate partnerships with international research centres, businesses and philanthropists.

Her government continues to support universities and other institutions to attract and foster talented researchers.

Dr Callinan has made substantial contributions to the Australian justice system during his legal career, and as a playwright, author, art enthusiast and patron, he has also added to Australia’s cultural development.

He is an Adjunct Professor within UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law, and patron of the Friends of UQ’s Fryer Library.

By Fiona Cameron

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