News Archive

Our University appreciates that leadership has its genesis in many spheres: think Andrew and Nicola Forrest setting the benchmark high in the hope of ushering in a new era of philanthropy in Australia; think our State's new Chief Scientist, UWA's Professor Peter Klinken, urging Australian scientists to "go in search of a new continent rather than fine-mapping one already discovered".

Life Scientist of the Year, Professor Ryan Lister, heading an epigenetics team that is "vaulting the species divide" with new DNA technologies is already on that quest, as is Enrico Palermo (this issue's Newsmaker), building the world's first "spaceline" at Virgin Galactic. This engineering graduate's leadership style is about "empowering and trusting your team, giving them the tools to succeed, not micromanaging" - and team-building is also the maxim of UWA's new Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater and Olympians Fergus Kavanagh and Adam Commens, graduates already preparing for Rio in 2016.

You'll encounter the above in this issue, along with graduates honoured by our nation and State: 2014 Senior Australian of the Year Dr Fred Chaney and 2014 Young Australian of the Year (WA) Dr John von Bockxmeer. Earlier this year, the pair stirred UWA's pride when sharing their journeys to Australia Day honours with students and guests at the Octagon Theatre.

The much-honoured Dr Chaney, whose work in support of often marginalised people has never faltered, says his passion for reconciliation began on campus as a Law student. At that time Indigenous people faced "de-facto segregation, with people living in little more than tin sheds on reserves at the edge of town, not having the vote, having limited access to employment and education, with child removal on racial grounds still occurring".

The founding co-chair of Reconciliation Australia established the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA, was a former Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Deputy President of the National Native Title Tribunal. "In all his leadership roles, Fred inspires others to work collaboratively, respectfully and ambitiously to overcome the barriers that inhibit people's full economic and social participation in Australian society," read the award citation.

We profile the State's Young Australian of the Year, Dr John von Bockxmeer, in this issue, along with fellow graduates who helped him launch the award-winning Fair Game.