The University of Queensland’s links to the State’s wider business, legal and cultural communities have grown stronger with seven prominent “downtowners” playing a leading role on its Senate.
These recent appointments link UQ to a network of national and international contacts outside the academic world and are paving the way forward for a more corporate-based management style.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, said the 22-member Senate, which is the University’s governing body, had adapted to reflect the complex changes that were taking place in higher education in Australia and internationally.
“UQ’s research, teaching and commercialisation initiatives are in demand internationally; our global collaborations are growing in importance; and we have students from more than 120 countries. It is therefore imperative that UQ operates like a modern, outwardly-focused corporation – and the Senate reflects this thinking,” Professor Hay said.
The seven recently appointed non-academic Senators, six of whom are UQ graduates, include Queensland’s most senior public servant Ross Rolfe; company director and corporate and commercial lawyer John Story; and principal advisor for Cultural Heritage with the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit Isabel Tarrago.
Professor Hay said the non-academic Senators ensured that the University stayed in touch with what was happening in the wider community so that it could respond to new trends and developments.
“These seven relatively new faces on the Senate come from a broad section of what could be described as the ‘downtown’ community,” he said.
“They bring an invaluable wealth of business knowledge, organisational experience and cultural diversity.
“These influential and experienced individuals are some of the key decision makers in Queensland, they influence policy and society at the highest level and they do the same within the University community.
“They ensure that UQ continues to develop alongside the world’s top education and research institutions.”
The seven new Senators appointed from the wider business, legal and cultural communities are:
Mrs Judith BELL is a member of the Board of Trustees of Brisbane Grammar School and a member of the Crime Reference Committee and the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
Mr Timothy B. CROMMELIN is the Executive Chair, Stockbroking, at ABN AMRO Morgans.
Mr Ross ROLFE is the former Director-General of the Department of Environment and Heritage and was Director-General of the Department of State Development from August 1998 until he became Chief Executive Officer of Stanwell Corporation Ltd in January 2002. He was Coordinator-General for the first time from August 1998, to January 2002 and was re-appointed to this role in July 2005.
Mr John STORY is a company director and lawyer. He has been a Partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth (and predecessor firms) since 1970, practising in the areas of corporate and commercial law.
Ms Isabel TARRAGO is employed by the Indigenous Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit within the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Water as a principal advisor for Cultural Heritage.
Dr Jane WILSON is a professional company director with a background in medicine and finance. She is Chair of IMBcom and immediate past President of the Australian Institute of Company Directors – Queensland Division, Director of CathRx Ltd, UQ Holdings Ltd, Protagonist Pty Ltd and the National Archives Advisory Council.
Ms Nerolie WITHNALL is a company director and former lawyer. She studied Arts and Law at the University of Sydney and was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1967. She is the Director of QM Technologies Ltd (Board Chair) and other organisations and international corporations.
The Senate now comprises eight members appointed by Governor-in-Council, eight elected members, three official members (Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Academic Board) and three members appointed by the Senate itself.
The new appointments run until December 31, 2009.
Media: for more information, contact Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2479, email c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
