Coffs community invited to Chancellor’s farewell lecture

A farewell lecture will be given by Southern Cross University Chancellor The Hon John Dowd AO QC at the Coffs Harbour campus on Friday, April 11.

Mr Dowd concludes his term as Chancellor in September. All members of the public are invited to attend the lecture titled ‘Education Evolution’, which will be held in the upper D Block theatre at 5.15pm.

Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee said John had performed the role of Chancellor with extraordinary dedication during the past 12 years.

“We thought it fitting to recognise his contribution with farewell lectures at each of our campuses and invite all members of the community to attend. John works tirelessly to support and promote the University, and the regions it serves,” Professor Lee said.

“In Coffs Harbour, he has watched the campus develop and during his time as Chancellor has conferred many thousands of degrees.”

The Chancellor is an Officer of the Order of Australia and a Queen’s Counsel. He is also Deputy President of the New South Wales Mental Health Review Tribunal; Vice President of the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva; President of the International Commission of Jurists in Australia, Goodwill Ambassador of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance; and President of ActionAidAustralia.

He is a former leader of the NSW Opposition; Attorney-General of NSW; and Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW.

The Chancellor will be participating in his final Coffs Harbour graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 12. There will be two ceremonies, one at 9.30am and one at 12.30pm, in the Student Sport Centre on campus.

Photo: Southern Cross University Chancellor The Hon John Dowd AO QC