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Governor installs new USC Chancellor
The Governor of Queensland, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, installed John Dobson OAM as the University of the Sunshine Coast’s new Chancellor at a formal investiture ceremony on Tuesday 8 May.
A crowd of 230 invited guests attended the evening celebration in the University’s new Chancellery building to witness plenty of pomp and ceremony, with equal measure of warmth and humour.
The investiture was made even more special for John Dobson, Caloundra’s Catholic parish priest and Dean of the North Coast Deanery of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, because Tuesday was his 62nd birthday. His mother and two brothers were among the invited guests.
The Governor expressed her confidence in John Dobson’s ability to chair USC’s Council – the University’s governing body – and said the Chancellor’s experience as a priest would come to the fore.
“Mr Dobson, as a Dean and parish priest, brings to his new role the rich and reflective legacy of Catholic learning, providing pastoral as well as intellectual leadership,” she said in her address.
The Governor also commended the University for delivering quality tertiary education in the Sunshine Coast region.
“As I see regional universities like this one flourish and shine, I am exhilarated by their offering,” she said.
“The University of the Sunshine Coast offers young and creative approaches to learning. You open doors and build pathways for those who might not otherwise experience the opportunity and enrichment of higher education.
“Since your establishment in the late 1990s, you have welcomed thousands of students from the Coast and its surrounds, providing research and teaching of an international standard through a contemporary and relevant curriculum.”
“Tonight marks another milestone in your inspiring passage.”
In his address, John Dobson said he was delighted to have the opportunity to serve the University of the Sunshine Coast as Chancellor.
He spoke of how education had progressed during his lifetime from providing rote learning when he was a child to now equipping students for a rapidly changing future.
He said universities played an important role in encouraging learning to help counter fear and violence across the world.
“If universities are going to fulfil their role and contribute meaningfully to the comprehensive welfare of humanity, it is vital to first encourage the inquiring mind,” he said.
John Dobson praised USC’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM for his strategic development of the University since inception in 1996, and pastoralist Ian Kennedy AO, who had served as USC Chancellor since 1998.
“Advances are only made when we stand on the shoulders of those visionaries who have gone before us, and I wish to acknowledge the leadership of my predecessor, Ian Kennedy,” he said.
“It is from Ian Kennedy’s leadership that this University has a most effective Council, balanced in skill and focused in motivation.”
During the ceremony, the Governor also officially opened the University’s new Chancellery building. This building contains the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Administration and Student Services, a lecture theatre, seven tutorial rooms, a cafe and an Indigenous centre.