UQ Centenary Senate gets down to business

The University of Queensland has a new Senate for its new century, with a team that includes a global resources CEO, a former Queensland Treasurer and a senior judge.

Chancellor John Story said the 22-member governing council was finalised last night (Feb 24).

“I thank the new and continuing members for volunteering to serve an institution that has responsibilities to a community including 40,000 students from more than 120 countries,” Mr Story said.

“Dr Mary Mahoney, AO, is congratulated for being elected Deputy Chancellor.

“Mary brings the wisdom of a Senator of 20 years standing, including a term as Deputy Chancellor (1996-98).

Among other things she is a medical doctor, a contributor to community and professional organisations, an adjunct professor and a highly respected member of UQ’s network of alumni.

“She continues her family’s distinguished association with UQ, which began formally when her grandfather became a member of the first Senate, 100 years ago.”

Mr Story said the Senate was a balanced representation of expertise and interests, and was “well placed to make decisions about the business of a modern globally-ranked university”.

“Many members are alumni who want to give back to their alma mater and their community,” he said.

One alumnus/Senator is the Hon Dr David Hamill, who was previously a Senator in 1989-1990. Dr Hamill, now a company director, has held ministerial the portfolios of Treasurer, Education Minister, Minister for Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Economic and Trade Development.

Members of the 32nd Senate who have not previously been Senators are:

- Professor Fred D’Agostino, Associate Dean (Academic) Faculty of Arts;
- Mrs Margaret Brown, Consultant, Minter Ellison;
- Mr Brandon Carter, undergraduate student;
- Justice Martin Daubney, Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland;
- Mr Phil Hennessy, Queensland Chairman, KPMG;
- Ms Katherine Hirschfeld, a company director who until recently was Managing Director, BP Refinery (Bulwer Island);
- Ms Catherine Lawrence, postgraduate student;
- Mr Grant Murdoch, Partner, Ernst & Young;
- Mr Charlie Sartain, CEO, Xstrata Copper.

Mr Story also recognised members of the 31st Senate who finished at the end of 2009: Professor Paul Bailes; Ms Sarah Collins; Mr Ben Riley; Dr Norbury Rogers; Mr Ross Rolfe; Mr Nick Stump; Dr Robert Wensley; Justice Dr Margaret White (Deputy Chancellor 2006-2009); and Ms Nerolie Withnall.

The 32nd Senate will run until December 2013. For full membership see http://www.uq.edu.au/senate/index.html?page=35644.

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