December 3, 2021

University of Wollongong farewells Deputy Chancellor

After 12 years of unwavering commitment to council, Dr Elizabeth Magassy retires

Outgoing Deputy Chancellor Dr Elizabeth Magassy said it has “been a privilege to serve on the University Council for twelve years, and an honour to have been Deputy Chancellor for the past four”, but admits that when she agreed to join the University of Wollongong (UOW) Council in 2010, she knew very little about what was in store.

As she settled into the Council induction session and her first set of Council papers the realisation became clear, UOW was not just a local establishment, it was in fact an extensive global organisation.

After 12 years of dedicated service on the UOW Council, and almost two decades of involvement with UOW, Dr Elizabeth Magassy will soon retire, as her council term comes to an end on 31 December.

UOW Chancellor Ms Christine McLoughlin AM and Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia M. Davidson hosted a farewell reception for the outgoing Deputy Chancellor at the Wollongong Campus on Thursday 2 December to honour her outstanding contribution to UOW and the local community.

Three former Vice-Chancellors attended the reception: Emeritus Professor Paul Wellings CBE, Emeritus Professor Gerard Sutton AO, and Emeritus Professor Ken McKinnon AO, a true testament to the significant impact Dr Magassy has had on the institution. Together, they represent 40 years of UOW history.

Distinguished guests included fellow Deputy Chancellors Mr Robert Ryan and Mr Warwick Shanks, UOW Council members, former Chancellor Ms Jillian Broadbent AC, former Deputy Chancellor Mr Noel Cornish AM, and former UOW Council members.

Dr Magassy’s passion and expertise in health has been an immense benefit to the University since 2005, when she was appointed as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Medicine.

Helping foster the next generation of medical professionals, Dr Magassy stressed the importance of ensuring that students worked in medical practices as part of their training, including a rotation in regional, rural and remote communities, and developed the practice as a teaching resource in primary care. This initiative has enhanced the University’s international standing by supporting communities in addressing the health divide.

“The Medical school has been close to my heart. It came into existence due to a visionary Professor Don Iverson and a dedicated Dr John Hogg. I was only one voice on the committee doing the work. It’s ethos of producing patient centred doctors has been a success, and our graduates are highly valued in the workplace,” Dr Magassy said.

“The strategy of starting clinical work and patient contact virtually from day one of the course has worked. My own former practice, The Illawarra Family Medical Centre, has taken some on, and they are excellent caring doctors,” Dr Magassy said.

Dr Magassy said being elected Deputy Chancellor in 2017 was an enormous honour and one of her proudest moments.

“I am also proud that I fulfilled my Council commitments to the utmost of my ability. Missed one meeting in 12 years due to an overseas trip, and never refused a request for participation in University committees or activities.”

^{Celebrations at the farewell reception. Former Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ken McKinnon AO, Former Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Paul Wellings CBE, Chancellor Ms Christine McLoughlin AM, Deputy Chancellor Dr Elizabeth Magassy, Former Chancellor Ms Jillian Broadbent AC, Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia M. Davidson; Former Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Gerard Sutton AO and other guests. Photo: Denis Ivaneza}

The farewell reception celebrated Dr Magassy as an eminent and admired member of the University community. UOW Chancellor, Ms Christine McLoughlin AM, praised Dr Magassy for her commitment and thanked her for her exemplary service as Deputy Chancellor.

“Dr Magassy’s valued insights have contributed toward many major health and wellbeing initiatives developed and being pursued by the University. Her leadership in the health space is a culmination of more than 30 years in general practice in Wollongong. Her service to health is inspiring,” Ms McLoughlin said.

During her time as Deputy Chancellor, in addition to her duties on sub committees, Dr Magassy has overseen countless graduation ceremonies, attended many functions representing the University including, interstate and overseas representation, alumni and donor events, keenly engaging with guests and raising the profile of UOW. Responsibilities Dr Magassy said have been rewarding and life changing.

“Enjoyment came from interacting with the amazing colleagues on Council and the University, and sharing a joint commitment to UOW as an institution to be celebrated,” Dr Magassy said, “and seeing the happy faces of students and their families at graduation. That has been what I have missed most through COVID times.”

Dr Magassy worked in general practice obstetrics for 10 years, delivering more than 1000 babies in the Wollongong region and has been in full-time general practice in Wollongong since graduating from the University of Sydney in 1978.

“It’s incredible to think that, as Deputy Chancellor and presiding officer at UOW graduations, Liz has been presented graduates who she has delivered. She is truly thrilled to see these people 20-odd years after being at their birth,” UOW Chancellor Ms McLoughlin said.

“In fact, Liz requests to see the list of graduands before the event to see who she can recall having personally delivered. This demonstrates the personal connection Liz has with our community, which stems from her caring nature.”

That community connection is an important aspect that Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson echoed in her remarks when congratulating Dr Magassay on her tenure on Council.

“Dr Magassy has provided the Council with an invaluable perspective on our local community and on the major health and wellbeing initiatives being pursued by the University. Her dedication to the University has been exceptional,” Professor Davidson said.

Dr Magassy is confident that the strength of the people and specifically, the UOW leadership from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor down, with a broad variety of skillsets on Council, will guarantee a bright future.

“It ensures an agile and thoughtful approach to our ever-changing world. A commitment to the wellbeing of students, wanting them to succeed in life as well as in studies, and a commitment to excellence in academic research, with a focus on the environmental health of our institution, our local community and beyond,” Dr Magassy said.

Dr Elizabeth Magassy is one of UOW’s two deputy chancellors, serving alongside fellow Deputy Chancellor, Mr Robert Ryan. Mr Warwick Shanks was elected as the incoming Deputy Chancellor by the University of Wollongong Council at its October Council meeting, to succeed Dr Magassy.

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^{Main image: Chancellor Ms Christine McLoughlin AM, Deputy Chancellor Dr Elizabeth Magassy, Former Chancellor Ms Jillian Broadbent AC.}