Griffith University’s 50th Anniversary Oration and Dinner

Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership, the Honourable David Janetzki MP; the 22^nd Governor of Queensland and former Griffith University Chancellor, the Honourable Leneen Forde AC; Members of Parliament and the Consular Corps; current Griffith University Chancellor, the Honourable Andrew Fraser, Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Carolyn Evans, Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC and former Griffith University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis AC; executive and staff; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, Mr Aaron Ruska for your warm welcome to country. I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight.

As the Governor of Queensland and a Doctor of the University, it is pleasure to be here on this auspicious occasion to celebrate the University’s 50th anniversary.

In December 2022 my husband Graeme and I had the pleasure of hosting a reception at Government House to celebrate the installation of Chancellor Fraser.

However, I want to start tonight by making a special mention of the Honourable Leneen Forde AC. As a former Queensland Governor and the longest-serving Chancellor of Griffith University, her involvement with the university continues today with the sponsoring of a leadership program in her name.

I want to acknowledge and thank Leneen for her leadership and impressive record of working tirelessly and selflessly –– not just for this university –– but for the benefit of communities across the State. Thank you Leneen, Queensland is greatly indebted to you in so many ways.

1975 was indeed a memorable year.

Back then, Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister until the 11^th of November, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was Premier, Sir Colin Hannah was Queensland’s 19th Governor, the Vietnam War ended, Microsoft was founded, VCRs were introduced, the average cost of a house was $38,000, Think Big won the Melbourne Cup for a second time, and the pet rock craze was a thing!

Meanwhile back in Brisbane in March 1975, Griffith University opened the doors to its first campus at Nathan under the leadership of its foundation Chancellor Sir Theodor Bray. It opened with just 451 students.

Fast forward to today and the university’s physical footprint has expanded to cover five active campuses across the south-east corner which are now home to some 45,000 students each year studying some 200 different courses.

From its humble beginnings, Griffith now boasts around 300,000 alumni. Many of these graduates are now working across almost every sector, helping to shape Queensland’s economic and social prosperity. Their work is helping to transform lives, adding to human knowledge, and creating a brighter future that benefits all.

Over the past five decades, Griffith has become one of Australia’s outstanding educational institutions and an internationally recognised leader in teaching, research and social impact.  It is a world-class, values-led university which puts social and environmental issues at the heart of its teachings, learning and research.

Griffith has notched up many defining moments, milestones and achievements over the past 50 years.  Many of these moments are documented in Professor Patrick Weller’s commemorative publication “Doing things differently, Griffith University at 50”.

Over the past five decades, the university’s success has been underpinned by the sterling efforts of thousands of talented professionals – past and present - from the university’s leadership teams, to academic and research staff and many others.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in teaching and research which has helped to consistently place Griffith in the top two percent of universities worldwide.

I also want to acknowledge and thank the University’s current Chancellor, the Honourable Andrew Fraser and Vice Chancellor and President Carolyn Evans for their leadership, and for championing a range of special initiatives, including this dinner and Oration by Professor Glyn Davis AC tonight, which provides important opportunities to reflect on and celebrate Griffith’s many milestones and achievements.

In closing, I once again congratulate Griffith on its golden anniversary, and for making it matter.

Graeme and I wish you all a memorable evening full of celebrations and reflections. Thank you.