CONFERRING OF AWARDS 10, 11, 12 & 13 DECEMBER 2019 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 2019 Llewellyn Hall The Australian National University Tuesday 10 December Wednesday 11 December Thursday 12 December Friday 13 December Chancellor: Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans AC QC BA LLB (Hons) Melb, MA Oxon, HonLLD Melb, Carleton, Syd FASSA Pro-Chancellor: Ms Naomi Flutter MPP Harvard, LLB (Hons), Bec (Hons), GDLP ANU Vice-Chancellor: Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS 2011 Nobel Laureate Physics BSc (Physics) Arizona, BSc (Astronomy) Arizona, MA (Astronomy) Harvard, PhD Harvard Esquire Bedel: Dr Ian Walker BA DipEd Syd, MA Macq, PhD UNSW University Marshal and Esquire Bedel: Ms Lorena Kanellopoulos DipHRM, GradCertMgt, MMgt ANU Mr Jake Francis Published by The Australian National University Conferring of Awards December 2019 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 subject- ing 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 health of our democratic nation. We are confident that you will abide by the highest standards of professional and ethi- cal conduct and to be a continuing contributor to commu- Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC nity 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 commu- nity, 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 ef- fort, 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 scruti- nised 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 AC FAA FRS, Vice-Chancellor Conferring of Awards December 2019 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Australian National University acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this graduation ceremony takes place. This Ngunnawal Ngambri land has supported our students throughout their time at ANU and will continue to hold a space for future generations to come together, learning from Country and one another. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past, present and future and acknowledge that this land from which we benefit has an ancient history that is both rich and sacred. The ANU community makes a commitment to always respect the land upon which we stand and ensure that the voices of this land’s First Peoples are both heard and listened to so that we may move towards a future marked by cooperation and a shared respect. 4 The Australian National University THE UNIVERSITY Since the University’s inception, ANU Reconciliation at ANU academics have taken their ideas to the The University has made a formal commitment to reconcili- world, and the world’s best have come ation with Indigenous Australians; launching in July 2009 one of the first Reconciliation Action Plans within the higher here to collaborate with internationally education sector. The Plan and its implementation provide a renowned colleagues. ANU is Australia’s whole-of-institution approach to enhancing broad engage- ment with Indigenous education, research, employment most research-intensive university and and culture. is consistently ranked among the best The ANU Reconciliation Action Plan is testament to the universities in the world. University’s conviction that it must contribute to righting the wrongs of the past. ANU knows that the future has to be founded on relationships of mutual respect and meaning- ANU collaborates closely with other research organisa- ful partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous tions, national institutions and Federal, State and Territory Australians – a future where Indigenous culture, connection Governments. Generations of ANU scholars, teachers to country, and world views are treated with respect. and graduates have shaped government policy and public debate, making a very real contribution to the economic, The University’s vision for reconciliation is to be a place of cultural and social prosperity of the nation. learning that respects Indigenous culture and diversity: a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come ANU is the only Australian member of the International Al- together to engage with their chosen discipline, contextual- liance of Research Universities (IARU)–a strategic partner- ised by an understanding of our shared history. ANU aims ship between the world’s best education and research to make an important contribution to reconciliation by fur- institutions. The Alliance shares a focus on research-led thering scholarly learning, research and public knowledge teaching, a commitment to educating future leaders and of Indigenous issues. tackling some of the century’s biggest challenges. ANU provides a supportive learning environment where In- ANU provides an environment in which learning and re- digenous Australians can realise their potential and achieve search sit side-by-side. The University’s academic profile is their aspirations. It aims to make a significant contribution dictated by what we research, and we teach what we re- to improving higher education and employment outcomes search. for Indigenous Australians. The University community has ANU graduates go on to take up leadership positions in strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with local, government, industry, research and academia at home national and, indeed, international Indigenous communities. and abroad. These relationships provide for the sharing of knowledge and ideas and the opportunity to listen and learn from As Australia’s national university and Australia’s finest uni- Indigenous Australians about the past, their current circum- versity, ANU sets the standard in research, education and stances and their vision for the future. public policy, on issues of national and international impor- tance. The culture of ANU The distinguishing culture of ANU is one where the notion of discovery pervades all that we do. For all staff, it is the dis- covery of new and better ways to research, to educate and to support ANU students and scholars. For academic staff, it is the discovery of new knowledge and new insights, and the creative use of these innovations in further research and education. For students, it is the discovery of new under- standing, in breadth and in depth, in their fields of interest. Conferring of Awards December 2019 5 TODAY’S CEREMONY The Ceremony Ceremonial objects The Conferring of Awards ceremony begins with an aca- The silver mace, which is the symbol of the Vice-Chancel- demic procession that honours graduating students, lor’s authority, was presented to ANU by the University of as it moves from the back of Llewellyn Hall to the stage. Oxford in 1950. It is a replica of the original Oxford mace, made in gold by Benjamin Pyne, the 18th century gold- The procession is in two parts. smith. The mace is carried before the Vice-Chancellor by the Esquire Bedel. The larger end of the mace is carried The first is led by two Deputy Marshals (carrying staves) uppermost in the presence of the Chancellor. and they are followed by academic and professional staff of the University. The Chancellor’s chair, kneeling stool, mace stand and Mar- shals’ staves were designed and made by George Ingham The second part, the Chancellor’s Procession, is led by the from the Wood Workshop in the Canberra School of Art, University Marshal and two Deputy Marshals. This proces- now part of ANU. They feature the University arms, pierced sion includes members of the University’s Council, the through a polished metal background and a composite Registrar, Deans and Directors of ANU Colleges, Directors structure of timber components.