Honorary Doctor of Letters
Citation delivered by Professor John Dewar AO, Interim Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of Julia Eileen Gillard as a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) on 30 October 2024.
Deputy Chancellor, I present the Honourable Julia Gillard AC.
A committed advocate for gender equality, education and social inclusion, Julia Gillard exemplifies the values and principles that the University holds dear. As the 27th Prime Minister of Australia – and the first and only woman to hold this role – Julia made significant strides that continue to shape the nation’s future. Her accomplishments, both in office and beyond, reflect a career marked by leadership, resilience and a steadfast commitment to building a more fair and equitable society. Julia’s ongoing work ensures that her influence continues to resonate on national and global stages.
As Prime Minister from 2010 to 2013, and previously as Deputy Prime Minister, Julia helped steer Australia through the global financial crisis. Her leadership was marked by resilience and pragmatism, particularly as she worked with a minority government to pass over 570 bills. These bills led to groundbreaking changes in education, disability services and telecommunications, and set the groundwork for Australia’s future development.
Julia’s government brought about transformative advancements in the Australian education system, ensuring greater access, quality and opportunities for students at every level – from early childhood to higher education. Additionally, her administration introduced the National Disability Insurance Scheme and established an emissions trading scheme. Other key achievements included the landmark Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, expanding paid parental leave, and building the National Broadband Network. Julia’s approach to leadership was not just about managing crises or economic challenges – it was about building a better, more inclusive society for all Australians.
On the global stage, Julia strengthened Australia’s foreign relations, particularly in Asia. She deepened ties with key countries such as China, India, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea, and consolidated Australia’s alliance with the United States. But perhaps her most iconic legacy is her relentless dedication to gender equality. Throughout her time at the top, Julia endured sexism, misogyny and relentless personal attacks with a combination of grace, grit and – let’s be honest – some legendary comebacks. Who could forget her blistering parliamentary takedown that not only put her critics in their place but sent shockwaves across the world? Julia didn’t just challenge Australia’s blokey leadership culture – she dismantled it, advocating fiercely for women’s rights and unapologetically pushing back against outdated gender norms.
Yet her work didn’t end when she left office. Since stepping down from politics, Julia has continued to make an extraordinary impact on equity, education and mental health. In 2014, she joined the board of Beyond Blue, one of Australia’s foremost mental health organisations, and in 2017, she became its Chair, a role she held until last year. During her tenure, Julia led the organisation through a period of significant growth and innovation, particularly in response to the mental health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education has always been a central focus of Julia’s work. As Chair of the Global Partnership for Education from 2014 to 2021, she championed the cause of ensuring quality education for children in the world’s poorest countries. Under her leadership, the partnership worked to make education accessible to millions of vulnerable children, particularly girls, while addressing the disruptions and challenges caused by conflict and instability. Her advocacy for the empowerment of women through education has been nothing short of transformative, and it reflects a core value she shares with the University – that education is a fundamental right, open to everyone regardless of their background or circumstances.
Other roles Julia has held in her efforts to improve education include serving on the International Commission on Financing for Global Education, now the Education Commission, which aims to improve resource allocation for schooling. In 2013, she became a Distinguished Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Centre for Universal Education, focusing on quality education in developing nations. Additionally, Julia is the Patron of Western Chances, supporting young people in Melbourne’s west with scholarships and opportunities. She is also the Patron of CAMFED, which empowers girls and young women through education and leadership. She also led the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care in South Australia, which concluded in August 2023.
Julia’s commitment to gender equality has been evident throughout her career. As the founder and inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, and Chair of its sister institute at the Australian National University, she has led groundbreaking work to address the under-representation of women in leadership roles. Through research, advocacy and practical initiatives, the institute is working to reshape perceptions of women in leadership, challenge gender biases, and dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent women from achieving their full potential.
Julia’s advocacy for women in leadership and quality education extends beyond the academic and policy spheres. In her co-authored book, Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons, Julia explores the unique challenges women face when ascending to positions of power. The book includes interviews with influential female leaders such as Jacinda Ardern, Hillary Clinton and Christine Lagarde. Julia’s contribution to this work is both sobering and inspiring, offering valuable lessons on perseverance and solidarity in the face of adversity. She has also written a memoir based on her experience as Prime Minister, while her third book, Not Now, Not Ever – 10 years on from the Misogyny Speech, was released in 2022.
In April 2021, Julia took on the role of Chair of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation dedicated to supporting science and research to solve urgent health challenges. As Chair, she is guiding Wellcome’s mission to address global issues, including mental health, infectious diseases and the impact of climate change on health. Her leadership at Wellcome, combined with her previous roles, demonstrates her unwavering commitment to improving lives on a global scale.
Through her remarkable career in politics, advocacy and governance, Julia has embodied leadership in its most powerful form – leadership that drives meaningful change and improves lives. Her dedication to advancing gender equality, mental health and education has had a profound and lasting impact, not only in Australia but around the world.
Deputy Chancellor, today we honour Julia Gillard for her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to gender equality, education and social inclusion. Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a trailblazing leader and an agent of transformative change, consistently driven by a profound dedication to improving lives and advancing a fairer and more just society.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to present the Honourable Julia Gillard AC for admission to the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.