QUT has officially welcomed Queensland businesswoman and alumna Ann Sherry AO as its new Chancellor in an installation ceremony at Gardens Point campus today.
The Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Jeannette Young AC PSM, joined Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and past Chancellors Dr Xiaoling Liu and Tim Fairfax AC at the ceremony.
Ms Sherry is one of Australia’s leading business executives, with a career that spans government, banking and tourism, and said she was especially optimistic about the opportunities that universities could offer to those who had been excluded or marginalised in the past.
“I am here to create positive change, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make QUT the best university it can be,” Ms Sherry said.
Ms Sherry is an active philanthropist with a passion for improving opportunities and removing barriers for women in STEM and sport, and supporting opportunities for Indigenous Australians. She received an Order of Australia in 2004 for her corporate work relating to gender, family life, and social justice.
“Universities are critical to the future of this state and this country as they are uniquely positioned to develop the skills we need. They can also model inclusion for the whole of society, and are in an excellent position to drive change through our leadership,” she said.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said: “Ann’s diverse expertise, deep connection to Queensland, and her keen understanding of people and the importance of working for social benefit strongly aligns with our QUT purpose and strategy, as these are real-world qualities we hope to instil in our students.”
Ms Sherry is a QUT alumna, with a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and Labour and a Bachelor Arts from The University of Queensland.
Ms Sherry was installed as QUT’s sixth chancellor, following Dr Xiaoling Liu (2019−2022), Tim Fairfax AC (2012−2019), Major General Peter Arnison AC CVO (2004−2012), Dr Cherrell Hirst AO (1994−2004) and Victor Pullar AO (1989−1994).
Media contact:
Sally Dillon, QUT Media, 07 3138 8666, s.dillon@qut.edu.au
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