News Archive

Convocation establishes a Scholarship to honour Dr Sue Baker.

During August, Convocation Council was deeply saddened to learn that, on Tuesday 12th August 2014, Dr Suzanne Baker, a former long serving Warden of Convocation, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59.

Given her major contribution to Convocation and her efforts in establishing the Convocation awards program, Convocation Council has decided to establish a postgraduate travel scholarship in her honour. Those members of Convocation who wish to support this initiative with donations are encouraged to contact Halina Dorward at the University either by phone at +61 8 6488 3420 or via email at [email protected]

Sue's relationship with The University of Western Australia began with her student days when she gained a B.Sc. (Agric) with First Class Honours in 1979 and a PhD in 1985 and continued when she was appointed jointly by the CSIRO and the university to a lectureship in 1986, which position she held until 1994.

In 1995, whilst employed by CSIRO as Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Animal Production, Sue was appointed as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer by the University in recognition of her regular and significant contribution to the activities of the University. Sue had responsibility for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and held this honorary post until 2006 when she was re-appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor.

During her years of study, Sue had developed a great love and appreciation for the University and the opportunities it had given her. She felt that one way in which she could make a worthwhile contribution would be to stand for election to the Council of Convocation. In 1983 Sue stood for, and was elected a member of the Standing Committee of Convocation - now the Council of Convocation. Since that time Sue served on the Council in various capacities for a total of twenty five years.

However, it is in her role as Warden of Convocation that Sue is deservedly worthy of recognition for her outstanding service to the University. Sue stood for and was elected first as Deputy Warden from 1994-1996 and then Warden from 1996-2003 and again from 2006-2008. In total Sue served as Warden for a period of nine years (1996-2003 and 2006-2008) making her the second longest serving Warden in Convocation's 100 year history.

Sue was always respectful of the history and ceremonial role of the Warden as the fourth most senior official in the University, and was a keen supporter of UWA's unique relationship with graduates through their membership of Convocation. While many other universities regard their graduates as external stakeholders, Sue understood that UWA is one of the few universities where graduates continue as part of the University community as life-long members of Convocation.

As the Warden of Convocation, Sue attended meetings of the Senate over a nine year period, first as an Observer, then as a member Ex-Officio and finally as a Convocation elected member.

Sue's primary focus as the Warden was on the establishment of supportive and complementary programs to assist the graduate community. With the aim of increasing the number and value of the Convocation awards program, Sue successfully established collaborations with the University Research Committee, the Postgraduate Student Association, the Guild and the UWA Sports Association.

During her term as the Warden of Convocation, the number and value of Convocation Scholarships and Prizes grew to the point where there are now more than 60 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, prizes and awards given annually.

In recognition of her outstanding voluntary service to the University, in 2010 Dr Sue Baker was awarded the UWA Chancellors Medal.

For over twenty five years Dr Suzanne Baker gave sustained and outstanding voluntary service to the University, through membership of Convocation and through her adjunct academic appointments. In all of her dealings, both within and without the University, she proved herself to be a true citizen and ambassador of the University of Western Australia.

Her passion, enthusiasm and dedication for facilitating closer engagement between graduates and the University will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with her husband, Barrie Purser and their family, colleagues and friends as they come to terms with this loss in their lives.

To commemorate Sue's immense contribution to Convocation, at its September meeting the Council of Convocation unanimously agreed to name a postgraduate travel scholarship in Sue's honour. If you would like to contribute to the monies required to fund this initiative, please contact Halina Dorward at the University either by phone at +61 8 6488 1336 or via email at [email protected]

All members of Convocation Council who were aware of Sue's outstanding contribution to our University, felt that an annual postgraduate travel award in her name would be a fitting tribute to her memory.