CONFERRING OF AWARDS 13–16 DECEMBER 2016 DSA171455 MO_ Australian National Anthem Advance Australia Fair Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature’s gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history’s page let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. CONFERRING OF AWARDS Summer 2016 Llewellyn Hall The Australian National University Tuesday 13 December Wednesday 14 December Thursday 15 December Friday 16 December Chancellor: Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans AC QC BA LLB (Hons) Melb, MA Oxon, HonLLD Melb, Carleton, Syd FASSA Pro-Chancellor: Ms Robin Hughes AO BA, MA Syd Vice-Chancellor: Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS 2011 Nobel Laureate Physics BSc (Physics) Arizona, BSc (Astronomy) Arizona, MA (Astronomy) Harvard, PhD Harvard University Marshal: Associate Professor Selwyn Cornish AM BEc(Hons) UWA University Marshal (Alternate): Ms Lorena Kanellopoulos DipHRM, GradCertMgt, MMgt ANU Esquire Bedel: Dr Ian Walker BA DipEd Syd, MA Macq, PhD UNSW Esquire Bedel (Alternate): Ms Lorena Kanellopoulos DipHRM, GradCertMgt, MMgt ANU Published by The Australian National University Conferring of Awards December 2016 1 CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE TO GRADUANDS Today’s ceremony marks the culmination of years of research and study. ANU owes much to the intellectual and cultural contribution of our student body. In return, we work to build on our high standards in research and education. The ANU was created as part of a great nation building exercise in its day. That mandate continues and you share a vital part in it. I hope that your time with us has been enriching. It will certainly shape your future. Receiving your testamur is a significant achievement in its own right. It is also an important milestone. Some of you will decide to pursue further study; some of you will seek challenges outside the University environment. The skills you have developed to sort what is material from what isn’t, of separating fact from fiction, of subjecting argument to close and rigorous analysis, and solving problems logically and creatively will stand you in good stead in whatever path you follow. These attributes, which also equip you to be good citizens, are pivotal to the good Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC health of our democratic nation. We are confident that you will abide by the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and to be a continuing contributor to community service throughout the course of your lives. For the University, today is not just about bidding farewell to our latest group of outstanding students–it’s also about welcoming you to a new phase of life in the ANU community, as part of our international family of alumni. Enjoy this occasion and the celebrations with friends and loved ones. Behind every degree lies a tale of individual effort, sacrifice and achievement. I offer my heartiest congratulations to all of you. 2 The Australian National University WELCOME FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR Our founders had high expectations of us. They planned for a university which would make all Australians proud and improve our understanding of our country and our neighbours. More than 70 years later, we still have these aspirations in mind. Our global reputation is such that we can say that we have done what was, and is, expected of us. What you do as graduates will contribute to this legacy. This ceremony celebrates your efforts as well as those of the friends, family and ANU staff who have supported you. Your achievement is like no other; you have been scrutinised by the best, and have been admitted, by them, to their community. For this, you should be extremely proud. I wish you well in your future endeavours–whatever it is you choose to do, wherever you choose to do it. Brian P Schmidt, Vice-Chancellor Conferring of Awards December 2016 3 THE UNIVERSITY Since the University’s inception, ANU The culture of ANU academics have taken their ideas to the The distinguishing culture of ANU is one where the notion world, and the world’s best have come of discovery pervades all that we do. For all staff, it is the here to collaborate with internationally discovery of new and better ways to research, to educate and to support ANU students and scholars. For academic renowned colleagues. ANU is Australia’s staff, it is the discovery of new knowledge and new most research-intensive university and insights, and the creative use of these innovations in further research and education. For students, it is the discovery of is consistently ranked among the best new understanding, in breadth and in depth, in their fields universities in the world. of interest. ANU collaborates closely with other research organisations, national institutions and Federal, State and Territory Reconciliation at ANU Governments. Generations of ANU scholars, teachers and graduates have shaped government policy and public The University has made a formal commitment to debate, making a very real contribution to the economic, reconciliation with Indigenous Australians; launching in July cultural and social prosperity of the nation. 2009 one of the first Reconciliation Action Plans within the higher education sector. The Plan and its implementation ANU is the only Australian member of the International provide a whole-of-institution approach to enhancing Alliance of Research Universities (IARU)–a strategic broad engagement with Indigenous education, research, partnership between the world’s best education and employment and culture. research institutions. The Alliance shares a focus on research-led teaching, a commitment to educating The ANU Reconciliation Action Plan is testament to the future leaders and tackling some of the century’s University’s conviction that it must contribute to righting the biggest challenges. wrongs of the past. ANU knows that the future has to be founded on relationships of mutual respect and meaningful ANU provides an environment in which learning and partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous research sit side-by-side. The University’s academic profile Australians – a future where Indigenous culture, connection is dictated by what we research, and we teach what to country, and world views are treated with respect. we research. The University’s vision for reconciliation is to be a place ANU graduates go on to take up leadership positions in of learning that respects Indigenous culture and diversity: government, industry, research and academia at home a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and abroad. come together to engage with their chosen discipline, contextualised by an understanding of our shared As Australia’s national university and Australia’s history. ANU aims to make an important contribution to finest university, ANU sets the standard in research, reconciliation by furthering scholarly learning, research and education and public policy, on issues of national and public knowledge of Indigenous issues. international importance. ANU provides a supportive learning environment where Indigenous Australians can realise their potential and achieve their aspirations. It aims to make a significant contribution to improving higher education and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The University community has strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with local, national and, indeed, international Indigenous communities. These relationships provide for the sharing of knowledge and ideas and the opportunity to listen and learn from Indigenous Australians about the past, their current circumstances and their vision for the future. 4 The Australian National University TODAY’S CEREMONY The Ceremony Ceremonial objects The Conferring of Awards ceremony begins with an The silver mace, which is the symbol of the Vice- academic procession that honours graduating students, as Chancellor’s authority, was presented to ANU by the it moves from the back of Llewellyn Hall to the stage. University of Oxford in 1950. It is a replica of the original Oxford mace, made in gold by Benjamin Pyne, the The procession is in two parts. 18th century goldsmith. The mace is carried before the Vice-Chancellor by the Esquire Bedel. The larger end The first is led by two Deputy Marshals (carrying staves) of the mace is carried uppermost in the presence of and they are followed by academic and professional staff of the Chancellor. the University. The Chancellor’s chair, kneeling stool, mace stand and The second part, the Chancellor’s Procession, is led by Marshals’ staves were designed and made by George the University Marshal and two Deputy Marshals. This Ingham from the Wood Workshop in the Canberra School procession includes members of the University’s Council, of Art, now part of ANU. They feature the University arms, the Registrar, Deans and Directors of ANU Colleges, pierced through a polished metal background and a Directors of Schools and Research Schools, the Chair of composite structure of timber components. The staves of the Emeritus Faculty, the University Librarian, the Master casuarina torulosa carried by the Marshal and two Deputy of University House, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Marshals are split at the top to form clips that hold polished Pro Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Residential Colleges and stainless steel disks which are pierced with a stylised image Halls of Residence, honorary graduands, special guests, of the University arms. the graduating student speaker and the guest speaker. The Esquire Bedel, carrying the silver mace, leads the Vice-Chancellor, followed by the Pro-Chancellor and the Chancellor. At the end of the ceremony, the Chancellor Ceremonial dress leads the procession from the Hall. Traditional academic dress is worn at The Australian Graduates are individually presented to the Chancellor National University on ceremonial occasions and at formal or Pro-Chancellor to receive a Testamur that certifies the events in the halls and residential colleges.