Acclaimed Australian playwright David Williamson, AO, received an Honorary Doctorate and was guest speaker at a University of Queensland graduation ceremony on December 6. Dr Williamson's speech can be heard here.
Dr Williamson is one of seven prominent Australians who will receive honorary doctorates at UQ graduation ceremonies beginning this week.
Dr Williamson is one of Australia’s best-known and most widely-performed playwrights.
Over the past 30 years, his plays have been performed throughout Australia and produced in Britain, America, Canada and Europe.
A number of his works have been adapted for the screen and television, and he has received numerous awards, including four for best screenplay by the Australian Film Institute and 11 Australian Writers’ Guild AWGIE awards.
The production of his two new plays, Influence and Operator, early next year will bring his total output to 35 plays, 12 films and five television mini-series.
Dr Williamson received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts at 11am, December 6, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus.
Other recipients include:
• Former Ipswich City Council Mayor John Nugent (who was also guest speaker) at the graduation ceremonies for the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, at 8pm, December 6, at the Ipswich Civic Hall. Hear Dr Nugent's speech.
• Renowned painter and Archibald Prize winner Ray Crooke, AM, and former National Art Gallery Director Betty Churcher, AO, (who was also guest speaker) at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts, at 11am, December 7, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Dr Churcher's speech.
• Chairman of Westpac and Deputy Chairman of Rio Tinto Leon Davis, AO, (who was also guest speaker) at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, at 6pm, December 7, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Dr Davis' speech.
• Queensland Supreme Court Judge, The Honourable Justice Bruce McPherson CBE, (who was also guest speaker) at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, at 11am, December 9, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Dr McPherson's speech.
• Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Graphics Robert Bishop (who was also guest speaker) at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences & Architecture at 11am, December 15, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus. Hear Dr Bishop's speech.
In addition:
• Ipswich Girls Grammar School Principal Susan Just was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering, Physical Science and Architecture and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, at 6pm, December 6, at the Ipswich Civic Hall. Hear Susan Just's speech.
• Professor Mark Dodgson of the UQ Business School was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at 2pm at the UQ Centre on December 7. Hear Professor Dodgson's speech.
• Adjunct Associate Professor Victor Menrath was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculties of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Arts and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science , 2pm, December 9, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Associate Professor Menrath's speech.
• Non-executive Director and incoming Chair of the National Australia Bank Michael Chaney, AO, was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 6pm, December 9, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Michael Chaney's speech.
• Head of the School of Engineering, Professor John Simmons, was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture at 11am, December 13, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus. Hear Professor Simmons speech.
• Professor Peter Freebody of the School of Education was guest speaker at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences graduation ceremony at 2pm, December 13, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus. Hear Professor Freebody's speech.
• Head of the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University, Sweden, Professor Peter Wallensteen will be guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences at 2pm, December 13, at the UQ Centre, St Lucia Campus. Hear Professor Wallensteen's speech.
• Director-General of the Queensland Department of Child Safety Dr Robin Sullivan was guest speaker at the 3pm, December 15 graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Dr Sullivan's speech.
• Associate Professor Helen Chenery of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences was guest speaker at the 6pm ceremony, December 15 ceremony for the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus. Hear Dr Chenery's speech.
• Renowned wildlife documentary maker and TV presenter Tina Dalton was honoured with a UQ Gatton Gold Medal at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences at 10am, December 17, at the Gatton Campus Gymnasium.
• Injune grazier, Chairman of Leucaena Network and former President of the Cattle Council of Australia Wally Peart, CBE, was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences at 10am, December 17, at the Gatton Campus Gymnasium. Hear Mr Peart's speech.
• Professor Peter Brooks, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, was guest speaker at the 4pm Health Science graduation at the UQ Centre, St Lucia on December 17. Hear Professor Brooks' speech.
Citations for honorary doctorates
Citations for each honorary doctorate recipient and the Gatton Gold Medallist are available at the following links:
Audio of guest speakers
Available audio files of guest speakers at graduation ceremonies will be available on the UQ News website shortly after the relevant ceremony (see above).
Media: For further information contact Brad Turner at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2659, mobile 0400 767 489 or email b.turner@uq.edu.au).
Parking spaces have been allocated for media each day underneath the UQ Centre. Click here for map: http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/index.html?menu=1&id=254
