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Tags: Alumnus of the Year, Governor-General, Quentin Bryce

Former UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards presents Governor-General Dr Quentin Bryce with the 2008 Alumnus of the Year award

The University of Queensland recently presented a distinguished graduate and Australia’s first female Governor-General with a special award.

Australia’s first female Governor-General, Dr Quentin Bryce AC, was presented with the University’s Alumnus of the Year award for 2008 in February.

Dr Bryce, who was Governor of Queensland from 2003 until 2008, was announced as UQ’s Alumnus of the Year late last year, along with UQ’s International Alumnus of the Year, Cambodian labour camp survivor Path Heang, and Young Alumnus of the Year, music therapist Alissa Phillips.

Dr Bryce received her award at a special presentation ceremony at Customs House, which was attended by UQ’s former Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards AC, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield AO, as well as President of the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. Feona Walker and the group’s Senior Vice-President Dalma Jacobs.

Dr Bryce, who was the official Visitor to the University, is a University of Queensland graduate, former UQ academic and an honorary Doctor of Laws recipient.
She was sworn in as Australia’s 25th Governor-General at a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on September 5.

Professor Greenfield said UQ was privileged to have alumni of Dr Bryce’s calibre.

“A university’s reputation is determined largely by the character of its graduates, and Quentin Bryce is a great example to students, staff and other UQ graduates,” he said.

“She has put her UQ education to excellent use by improving conditions for people who have not shared in her advantages.”

Ms Walker said the Alumni Friends were honoured Dr Bryce had accepted the award of Alumnus of the Year for 2008.

Dr Bryce graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from UQ, where she later spent 14 years teaching Introduction to Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law and Legal Aspects of Social Work.

Some of her appointments have included founding Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the National Childcare Accreditation Council and Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Call for nominations

The University of Queensland seeks your help in locating young and international alumni whose achievements qualify them for these prestigious annual awards.

These awards honour alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their community by demonstrating exceptional leadership in their field or stimulating their community through creativity and innovation.

If you know a UQ alumnus who deserves recognition for their exceptional achievements, submit a nomination. Nominations open July 6 and close September 4, 2009.

For further details, visit www.alumni.uq.edu.au/alumni-awards

By Shirley Glaister