News Archive

Former Western Australian Premier Dr Geoff Gallop is one of several people whose contributions to society will be recognised at The University of Western Australia during its autumn series of graduations for 3,471 students.

Dr Gallop, who will be awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters on March 20, was WA Premier from 2001 to 2006. In 2006, he took up the position of Professor and Director of the Graduate School of Government at Sydney University, and in 2008 became a member of the Board of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission.

Emeritus Professor Dennis Haskell will be awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters tomorrow.  A leading poet, literary critic and editor, Professor Haskell has had a wide influence on Australian literary life and is currently Chair of the Australia Council Literature Board.  He taught in UWA's School of English and Cultural Studies for more than 25 years.

An Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters will be awarded to biochemist, academic, entrepreneur and educator Dr Annie Duncan to recognise her work in vocational education and training, health, women's issues, science communication and scientific research.  Dr Duncan became CEO of Scitech in 1995 and was made Director of the National Science and Technology Museum in Canberra in 1999.

An Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce will be awarded to Mr Mark Barnaba, Chairman of Macquarie Bank WA.  Mr Barnaba was Chairman of the West Coast Eagles until 2010.  Within the University, he serves as an Adjunct Professor in Investment Banking and Finance, is Chairman of the UWA Business School Board and a member of UWA's In the Zone editorial committee.

Five Chancellor's Medals will be awarded.  Winthrop Professor Neil Turner's medal recognises his work with the UWA Institute of Agriculture.  He helped establish the Cooperative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture at UWA and set up a research partnership between UWA and Lanzhou University in China.

Mrs Catherine Tang's medal honours her outstanding service to the University over many years, including as AusAID liaison officer, Senate member and committee member of the UWA Centenary Trust for Women.

Mr Roger Dickinson will be awarded a Chancellor's Medal for facilitating linkages between the University and the external community, including his work on the SPICE program which provides secondary science teachers with education resources.

Emeritus Professor Craig Atkins will receive a medal for service to the University well beyond the expectations of his academic appointment as a researcher and teacher.  His contributions include chairing UWA committees for Radiation Safety, Institutional Biosafety and Animal Ethics.

Adjunct Professor Peter Flett, former Director-General of the WA Health Department, will receive a Chancellor's Medal for his key role in the establishment of the School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UWA, and for securing funding for academic posts at outer metropolitan hospitals where future doctors receive quality medical education.

Ten graduation ceremonies will be held in Winthrop Hall from Tuesday 13 March to Wednesday 4 April.

Media references

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783