Welcome
On behalf of the Conference Organising Committee we extend a very warm welcome to the 12th National Conference on University Governance.
The agenda this year builds on previous Conference themes. It addresses a number of issues which are of significant concern to university Councils, Boards of Trustees and Senates.
It is trite to say that our universities are having to deal with significant change on many fronts, both strategic and operational. Good governance requires that Councils, Boards and Senates are able to engage in a focussed way with their Vice-Chancellors and senior executive management in addressing these matters.
This will be an opportunity for participants to meet colleagues who have responsibility for governance in the higher education sector. It will be a chance to talk about some tough issues in a convivial setting.
It is not just the ever-present challenge and uncertainty of government funding and regulation that we face. Many of the fundamental values that have held our universities in good stead in the past are being challenged, both in Australia and other countries.
Speakers
Click the speaker image to see their biography
Mr Michael Ahie
Chancellor Michael AhieMichael is passionate about his country and is dedicated to the commercial and cultural success of organisations in New Zealand. He is Chancellor of Massey University, a director of FMG and Chair of the Board of Spring Sheep Milk Co., the New...
The Hon Karen Andrews MP
The Hon Karen Andrews MPKaren Andrews has been a Member of the Federal Parliament in Australia since 2010 and has served as a Minister in previous governments. In her previous capacity as the Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs. Andrews has held responsibility for leading...
The Hon Julie Bishop
The Hon Julie BishopThe Hon Julie Bishop served as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 until her resignation in 2018. She was the first female to hold the role as well as the first female Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, serving for 11 years. In a...
Professor Tom Calma AO
Professor Tom Calma AOProfessor Tom Calma AO is an Aboriginal elder of the Kungarakan tribal group, a member of the Iwaidja tribal group and a tireless champion for the rights, responsibilities and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians....
Ms Alison Cairns
Alison CairnsAlison has deep Technology Transformation experience in leading large–scale digital transformations and as a trusted business advisor to C–suite and Boards across Education and Government sectors. Bringing an out–side in human–centric focus, Alison works...
Ms Pauline Carr
Pauline CarrSouth Australian born Pauline Carr has built a 30 plus year career bringing her executive experience, business improvement, governance, compliance and risk management consultancy services to a range of companies in the resources, construction,...
Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO
Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AOEmeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO was appointed as Chief Commissioner of Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia’s higher education regulator, in March 2021. He is also Chair of the Board of the...
Professor John Dewar AO
Professor John Dewar AOProfessor John Dewar AO is the Vice-Chancellor and President of La Trobe University, a position he has held since January 2012. Professor Dewar is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he was also a Fellow of Hertford College from...
Mr Patrick Fair
Patrick FairPatrick Fair is the principal of Patrick Fair Associates, an Adjunct Professor at the School of Information Technology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment at Deakin University, the Chairman of the Communications Security Reference Panel...
Ms Lucy Fergusson
Lucy FergussonAfter graduating from Griffith with a degree in Design, majoring in Visual Communications, Lucy undertook an honours year where she researched the connection between wellbeing and creativity and was the 2021 recipient of the FOTA scholarship. Her...
Associate Professor Abraham Francis
Abraham FrancisAbraham P. Francis is an Associate Professor, and Head of the Academic Group in Social Work and Human Services at James Cook University, Australia. He has worked with government, non-government, corporate sectors; developed many international...
Mr David Gonski AC
David Gonski ACDavid is Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trust, Chairman of Sydney Airport Limited Board, Non-Executive Chairman of Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group Holdings Pty Limited, and Chairman of the UNSW...
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Kiel
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey KielGeoff Kiel has extensive experience as a director, management consultant and academic researcher. Geoff is chairman of Strategic Governance Pty Ltd, a management consultancy specialising in governance and strategy consulting. Geoff has...
Professor Renee Leon
Professor Renée Leon PSMProfessor Renée Leon is the University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor and President and commenced in the role on 1 September, 2021. Professor Leon has extensive experience in Commonwealth and State public administration, covering policy, program...
Professor Patrick McGorry AO
Professor Patrick McGorry AOProfessor Patrick McGorry is an Irish-born, Australian psychiatrist known world-wide for his development and scaling up of early intervention and youth mental health services, and for mental health innovation, advocacy and reform. He is...
Professor Tanya Monro AC
Professor Tanya MonroProfessor Tanya Monro commenced as Chief Defence Scientist in March 2019. Prior to this role, Professor Monro was the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia. Professor Monro was the inaugural director...
Mr Terry Moran AC
Terry Moran ACTerry Moran spent his early career as a public servant in the Australian (Commonwealth) and Victorian Public Services. Moran's first position as a public sector CEO was as Chief Executive of the Office of the State Training Board in Victoria from late...
Professor Andrew Norton
Professor Andrew NortonAndrew Norton is Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy at the Centre for Social Research and Methods at the Australian National University. He was previously the Higher Education Program Director at the Grattan Institute. Mr...
Mr Bernard Salt AM
Bernard Salt AMBernard Salt is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading social commentators by business, the media and the broader community. Bernard heads The Demographics Group which provides advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business. Prior...
Mr Chris Sayers
Chris SayersChris has been actively involved in university governance for 11 years, and was the Chair of the Board of Governors at Northumbria University for 8 years until July 2020, during the last 3 of which he has also chaired the Committee of University Chairs...