Melbourne installs its 19th Chancellor
[ UniNews Vol. 14, No. 1
7 - 21 February 2005 ]
Melbourne lawyer Mr Ian Renard has been installed as the 19th Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.
The highly ceremonial occasion began with a colourful academic procession moving from the Quadrangle to Melba Hall where the Governor of Victoria John Landy, in his role as Visitor to the University, installed Mr Renard.
Victorian parliamentarians, senior members of the legal and business community, former chancellors and vice-chancellors of the University of Melbourne and chancellors and vice-chancellors from other Australian universities attended the installation ceremony.
They joined around 100 academics, members of the University Council, heads of the University residential colleges, in the academic procession.
In his address, the Governor paid tribute to outgoing Chancellor Ms Fay Marles who, he said, presided over the University Council during a period of remarkable growth and change, at all times leading the University with insight and with grace.
Mr Landy observed that the ultimate responsibility for governance in the University rests with the Chancellor.
With Ian Renard this responsibility is in good hands. His deep knowledge of the University together with his experience in the world of law and commerce equip him well to lead this University into the next exciting stage of its development.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, then presented Mr Renard to the Governor for the installation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Renard noted that everyone has an anecdote about the University.
Everyone shares in our achievements, everyone feels anxieties about our difficulties, every Council member experiences this. It reinforces the fact that we are a public institution; we were established to serve this community.
I believe that we serve the community best by maintaining the values we cherish excellence in teaching, research to a world-class standard, absolute integrity in what we do, and creating an experience for those who work and study here, through the buildings, the landscaping, the resources, the culture, that attracts the best staff and students we call this the Melbourne experience.
The new Chancellors first duty after his installation was to present 12 Juris Doctor (JD) graduates with their degrees.
The ceremony also included a stunning performance by the Melbourne Composition Choir.
|
|
