August 12, 2021

NSW Governor makes a virtual visit to UOW

Her Excellency briefed on initiatives to support students and meet the challenges of COVID-19

The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, and her husband, Mr Dennis Wilson, met with University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia M. Davidson and senior University executives during a virtual visit to the Illawarra on Thursday 12 August.

The videoconference was initiated by the Governor and Mr Wilson who were keen to meet the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and to hear how UOW was meeting the challenges of COVID-19 and the lockdown.

Professor Davidson presented other members of UOW’s senior executive team – Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Joe Chicharo OM, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Theo Farrell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Alex Frino, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Jennifer L Martin AC – to Her Excellency and Mr Wilson.

Aware the University had translated its face-to-face classes to an online teaching and learning environment, the Governor and Mr Wilson were interested to hear further details of how this was working in practise. They were also keen to hear about the work the University, in conjunction with some charities, was doing to support its students with grocery and meal drops.

Professor Davidson and her executive team provided the Governor and Mr Wilson with a detailed overview of the work UOW has been doing with students to better understand the hardships they are experiencing, and the strategies that have been developed to support their health and welfare, and where possible enable them to continue in their studies and to help them succeed.

Her Excellency and Mr Wilson were briefed on other key initiatives the University was undertaking in light of COVID-19, including related research projects.

Professor Davidson also took the opportunity to discuss with the Vice Regal party the importance of UOW as an anchor institution in its communities, including her vision to enhance the University’s health DNA and position Illawarra and the South Coast as a powerhouse focussing on the integration of health and social sciences.

Patricia Davidson told Her Excellency and Mr Wilson that despite the many challenges the pandemic presented, the University “remained committed to elevating our students, investing in education, research and innovation, and community engagement”.

“I would like to thank Her Excellency and Mr Wilson for initiating this virtual visit and for the interest and concern they have shown for the wellbeing of our students and staff.

“I very much look forward to the day we will be able to invite them back to our campuses to see and learn first-hand about the many wonderful things being done by our students, staff and communities.”

The Governor and Mr Wilson last visited UOW in September 2020 when Her Excellency officially opened the University’s new Social Sciences and the Arts Building, which was also dedicated to the University’s former Chancellor of eleven years, Jillian Broadbent AC.

Her Excellency has accepted UOW’s invitation to deliver the annual Goldring Lecture, which honours the late Jack Goldring, the University’s founding Dean of Law, on 21 October 2021.

Prior to her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency had a long and eminent law career spanning 43 years, including appointment as the first woman to sit exclusively in the Federal Court of Australia and the first woman appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal and subsequently as its President.

In her role as Governor, she brings a deep commitment to education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice. Her Excellency was also made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2020 for "eminent service to the people of New South Wales, particularly through leadership roles in the judiciary, and as a mentor of young women lawyers".

Mr Wilson is a barrister, mediator, accredited international arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law, at Notre Dame University, Sydney.