The University of Queensland will next week award honorary doctorates to the Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and a former High Court judge, Justice Ian Callinan AC, QC.
Both will receive Doctors of Laws honoris causa awards. Ms Bligh’s is in recognition of her distinguished career and service to the state, and Mr Callinan’s acknowledges his significant contributions in the fields of law and the Arts.
Ms Bligh was born in Warwick, Queensland and attended schools including Miami State High School at 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 Queensland Premier in September 2007.
As Premier, she advocates for Queensland research and works alongside 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.
Mr Callinan has made substantial contributions to the Australian justice system during his legal career, and as a playwright, author, art enthusiast and arts patron he has added to Australia’s cultural development.
He is an Adjunct Professor at UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law, and Patron of the Friends of UQ’s Fryer Library.
Mr Callinan was the first member of his family to undertake tertiary study. He completed a Bachelor of Laws at UQ in 1960 and practised as a solicitor for five years until being admitted to the Queensland Bar in 1965.
He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1978 and served on the High Court between 1998 and 2007.
In 2007, he was appointed to conduct a Commission of Inquiry into equine influenza, and the Federal Government adopted all 38 of his report’s recommendations.
UQ’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said the recognition of Ms Bligh and Mr Callinan followed a tradition of awarding honorary degrees to people whose impact on Queensland and Australia is significant.
“In this case, we are awarding two UQ alumni who have maintained links with their alma mater throughout their demanding careers,” Professor Greenfield said.
“Their partnerships with UQ have strengthened the University’s capacity to serve the economic and cultural development of Queensland and Australia. They have helped UQ contribute to the global reputation of Queensland and Australian higher education and research.”
Honoris causa doctorates are awarded by the UQ Senate. Ms Bligh and Mr Callinan will receive theirs on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Media: Fiona Cameron, UQ Office of Marketing and Communications, ph 07 3346 7086; Fiona Kennedy, ph 07 336 51384.
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