Capping honour for Registrar

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Tags: awards and prizes, retirements, winter-2009

The retirement of UQ Secretary and Registrar Dr Douglas Porter marked the “end of an epoch” for The University of Queensland, according to former Chancellor, Sir Llew Edwards.

Dr Douglas Porter and Dr Janet Porter

Dr Porter retired on January 28 after more than 22 years at the helm of the University’s finances and administration.

In that time he signed testamurs as proof of graduation for 150,300 UQ alumni – about 90 percent of all living UQ graduates.

On December 15 he received his own UQ degree, an Honorary Doctorate in Economics, and was officially farewelled by 150 guests at Customs House – a heritage building that UQ bought and refurbished on his watch.

Sir Llew said Dr Porter had made “immeasurable contributions” to UQ since he began as Secretary and Registrar in 1986.

“A great many of these are linked to his indispensable role as Secretary to the University’s governing body, the Senate,” Sir Llew said.

“He has worked with eight consecutive Senates, including two Chancellors, five Deputy Chancellors and three Vice-Chancellors, and has guided us through a changing and increasingly complex maze of legislation, protocols and regulations.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said in almost 100 years, UQ had “never seen another Secretary and Registrar, and was unlikely to ever do so”.

Dr Porter said after 43 years working in three universities he particularly wished to thank and recognise his wife, Dr Janet Porter, a UQ PhD graduate, who has made valuable and sustained contributions to the University’s social and cultural networks.

Fellow recipients of honorary doctorates in December were Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE, PC, Donald Argus AO, Dr Frank Gannon, Graham Bligh, Dr Susan Pond AM, Michael Bryce AM, AE, John Simpson, Sir Frank Moore AO, and Dr Russell Howard.

By Fiona Kennedy

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