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Business and community leaders, most of whom are graduates of The University of Western Australia, from Australia, the US and the UK, have joined the University as Hackett Foundation Patrons to support fundraising for the education of future generations of students.

The University this week welcomed new Patrons of the UWA Hackett Foundation which was established in 1998 as a means of continuing the University's tradition of philanthropy.  Since that time, the Hackett Foundation has received donations and sponsorship of more than $82 million.

Welcoming the Patrons, Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said he valued their advice and support, financial and non-financial, to make "our vision for this great university a reality".

"Our University was established through the generosity of Sir John Winthrop Hackett who had a long standing vision to provide Western Australia with a university," he said.

"Its achievements over almost a century would not have been possible, nor dreams for the future realised, without the unqualified loyalty and tangible support of our alumni - graduates, students, staff, friends, corporate partners and donors."

"That our patrons do so in a voluntary capacity reflects their generosity and commitment to education."

The University's Chancellor, Dr Michael Chaney, read out a message from the Foundation Chair, Sir Rod Eddington (in Melbourne):  "We have done well, but we have far more to do.  I call on all of you to join me in pledging your support to UWA in its second century of service to the people of WA and the nation."

The new Hackett Foundation Patrons are: Dr Michael Chaney; Mr Mark Barnaba; Ms Sarah Beshar; Mr Rick Crabb; Dr Denis Cullity; Mrs Karen Field; Mr Adrian Fini; Dr Annie Fogarty; Mr Warwick Hemsley; Dr Tony Howarth; Mr James McClements; Mrs Tonya McCusker; Mr David MacKinley; Dr John Poynton; Emeritus Professor Margaret Seares; Dr Erica Smyth; Mr Don Voelte; Mr Sam Walsh; Mr Chiu Chi Wen; and Mr John Willinge.

They join the inaugural patrons of the Hackett Foundation:

Dr Harold Clough; Clinical Professor Alex Cohen; Sir James Cruthers;  Sir Rod Eddington (Chair);  Mr Richard Goyder; Mr Tom Hoad; Mr Ivan Hoffman; Dr Janet Holmes á Court; Justice Geoffrey Kennedy; Dr June Jones; Mr Peter Jones; Dr Ken Michael.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716