Convocation Medal

Outstanding student volunteer - Madison Holling and Dylan Turner

Dylan and Madi oversaw the entire Relay for Life event which is the biggest community fundraising event at UWA. The Event raised vital funds for the Cancer Council WA; funding research, support and education programs. More than fundraising, the event has significant impact on the student's culture at UWA by providing an opportunity for clubs, faculty societies and other student groups to give back. Madi and Dylan led a large committee of students overseeing all the portfolios such as fundraising, marketing and logistics. Madi and Dylan planned and ran new fundraisers in the lead up to the event at local gyms which created a great way to raise money and promote a healthy lifestyle. Relay for Life has raised 84,300 so far and engaged over 300 students!

Outstanding student volunteer - Emily Hoare, President of Ignite Mentoring

Emily has been described as "powerful, positive and empathetic" with an unwavering dedication to Ignite Mentoring's mission that has involved endless hours of volunteering. Emily goes above and beyond in her role at Ignite Mentoring President, overseeing a complex leadership structure, while ensuring that each member of the team – from the executive committee to individual mentors, feel valued and included. Emily is always searching for ways to have a significant community impact and to engage with the wider community.  She has ensured that the organisation innovates and grows, reaching new pools of volunteers while strengthening ties with partner schools and expanding corporate sponsorship.

Convocation Medal - Doug McGhie

Even before being elected to Convocation Council, Doug had made a substantial contribution to UWA through his active involvement in the University’s sporting clubs including the University Football Club as both a player and a coach. Whilst studying for his MBA he also became a member of the UWA Graduate Management Association which resulted in his election as GMA President for two years and then President of the Graduate Management Association of Australia for a further two years resulting in his appointment as a Legend (a Life Member) of the UWA GMA in 2015.

Doug has also been actively involved in the University's water polo team, the UWA Torpedoes becoming a Board member for the period 2005 – 2015 including President from 2011 until 2015 resulting in him collecting another accolade as a Life Member of the Torpedoes in 2012.

In 2013 Doug was elected to Convocation Council serving as Treasurer in 2016 before being elected as the Warden of Convocation in 2017. He was re-elected as Warden in 2018 and then again in 2019 before undertaking the role of Immediate Past Warden in 2020.

Throughout his period of active involvement in Convocation Council, Doug exhibited the vitality, enthusiasm and dedication that he has brought to all his other voluntary endeavours.

During Doug's term as Warden he energised Council and led many new initiatives including:

• The review and amendment of the UWA Statute using his vast network to co-opt some of WA’s finest minds in legislative drafting to assist Convocation Council and the Senate in this significant undertaking.
• Installing a Convocation news screen at the University Club  Establishing the Convocation Review Committee which has resulted in the current development of a new strategic plan for Convocation Council.
• Developing an online application and judging process which is now used for all the awards, prizes and scholarships administered by Convocation Council and during Doug’s term resulted in Convocation Council distributing over $500,000 in awards, prizes and scholarships.
• Doug also used his network of contacts to establish Club Developer Scholarships in partnership with UWA Sports, the Cultural Precinct, the Student Guild and University clubs.
• He established Convocation Connection as the regular email newsletter for Convocation members
• Doug was also responsible for the creation of Convocation Avenue alongside Saw Promenade and James Oval as the location for the annual tree-planting ceremony for Convocation Day
• He also strengthened Convocation’s relationship with the Guild and arranged for Convocation to support of the Guild Volunteer of the Year through the presentation of a Medal to the annual winner
• Doug was also instrumental in having Convocation Council contribute $100,000 to the refurbishment of the old Masonic Hall on Broadway owned by the University in order to enable its development as the iQX innovation centre
• During his term as Warden, Doug was also able to use his business acumen to organise for an administrative assistant to be employed to leverage the voluntary contributions of the members of Convocation Council in their efforts to support the University
• He was also responsible for the adoption of Zoom technology for Council and committee meetings as well as the Ordinary General Meetings of Convocation, and
• One of his lasting legacies has been his work to create the Convocation Flag which is proudly on display here today

Doug remains active in community and sporting organisations. He is a Life Member of Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club having served as Captain, Deputy President, President and coach. He has won the Surf Life Saving WA Volunteer of the Year, President’s Medal and Coach of the Year awards, and a Local Government Community Service award. He has coached junior and senior sport for over 45 years, including state and national championship medallists.

Outstanding student volunteer - Elliott Wallace

2019 Student Volunteer Award Winner Elliott Wallace was previously presented a Convocation certificate during a presentation as part of National Student Volunteer Week (12-18th August), which culminated in a ceremony on 15th August.

Elliott is a well-deserved recipient, who has dedicated considerable time to volunteering in recent years. He is the Volunteering and Community Engagement Chair on the Student Guild, which involves developing policies for the Guild Volunteering team, liaising with non-profit organisations and faculty societies to secure partnerships or arrange activities, and various other tasks.

Since 2018, he has also been a UniMentor, allowing him to assist new students in their transition to life at UWA.

Outside of the university, Elliott helped found, and co-manages Coastal Clean Up Crew, a volunteer organisation which focuses on natural resource management. Clean ups occur weekly in areas both north and south of the river.

"Volunteering develops soft skills and prepares you for a global career, but also can be very fun as well," said Elliott. "I try and bring a lot of enthusiasm and fun into the role to inspire people of the benefits of volunteering."

Convocation Medal - Juanita Perez

Long-time Convocation Officer Juanita Perez was given a surprise Convocation Medal and certificate during the Spring Ordinary Meeting.

Juanita was recognised by the Convocation Council as the person who so capably operates behind the scenes to ensure that Convocation continues its fine legacy of service to UWA.

When Juanita first joined the staff of UWA in 2001, she was assigned to the Finance and Accounting Department which later became the UWA Business School. She was appointed to Convocation in 2002 and served five years before being seconded to the Confucius Institute for three years.

Fortunately, she returned to Convocation in 2010 and has been there for the last nine years in her current capacity as the Convocation Officer. During her time with Convocation, Juanita has worked with seven Wardens and has proved to be an invaluable resource, with deep knowledge of UWA's financial systems, governance arrangements, election protocols, public relations requirements, strategic objectives and operational systems. Her ability to juggle many demanding tasks simultaneously with her wisdom and friendly nature make her a well-respected and dependable asset to UWA and Convocation.

Juanita has given 18 years of excellent service to UWA utilising the invaluable experience she has gained at top-level international establishments. 

Throughout her career she has supported and advised many who have received accolades while she so often melts into the background when it is she who should be receiving these commendations. 

Warden of Convocation Dr Doug McGhie presented the award to both worthy recipients.

Convocation Medal - Warren Kerr AM

Immediate Past Warden of Convocation and member of the University Senate – nomination for a Convocation Medal.

Warren has been a Council member of Convocation for nine years and throughout that time has strongly promoted the potential for Convocation to be prominent in assisting the University to ‘achieve international excellence’.

He graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1974 and is a National Director of HAMES SHARLEY Architects. In addition to his formal qualifications in architecture, Warren has a Masters Degree from the University of NSW in health administration and planning, and has spent most of his career specialising in the planning and design of major hospital projects.

Currently he leads HAMES SHARLEY’s participation in the architectural consortium responsible for the planning and design of the new $2 billion Fiona Stanley Tertiary Hospital and the State Rehabilitation Centre at Murdoch.

Warren has maintained an active interest in teaching and research at the University as a member of the Advisory Board of the UWA Research Centre for the Built Environment & Health, as a member of an international working group on health facilities and through various voluntary roles for the Institute of Architects and the Australasian College of Health Service Management.

Warren is a former State and National President of the Australian Institute of Architects and a former State and National Chair of the Australian Council of Built Environment Design Professions.

In January 2009, Warren was appointed as a member of the Order of Australia for his services to architecture and his contribution to the planning and design of major health facilities.

Warren gave great service to the graduates of UWA as the Warden of Convocation for four years and then as a member of the UWA Senate elected by Convocation. Most recently, he has been extremely active as Immediate Past Warden, chairing the Honours Committee and contributing across the board to Convocation Council.

Warren initiated Convocation Day, annually recognising the formation of Convocation in 2013 and positioning Convocation in a strong partnership with the Guild of Undergraduates, while establishing a place on the campus grounds that recognises Convocation as one of the major parts of the University of Western Australia.

Warren led Convocation’s approach to the legislative changes undertaken by the WA Government to the UWA Act. Without that leadership Convocation might not have retained its prominence in the UWA Act. He has continued to contribute knowledge and experience to the amendments now proposed to the UWA Statutes.

Warren’s tireless efforts as Warden, Councillor and member of Senate have set extremely high standards for all who follow.

He has been especially active in cultivating and building relationships with key University staff and members of Convocation.

Convocation Medal - Susan King

Susan has been a leading Council Member for the last six years, and in that time, she has unreservedly given her time and talent to Convocation and its Council.

Susan King holds a PhD from Syracuse University, USA, an MEd, BEd and BA from UWA, and a Teachers Certificate from WA Secondary Teachers College.

She is a self‐employed consultant with an extensive knowledge of the Australian higher education, vocational education and training and schools’ sectors, and of university governance.

Susan has held corporate executive positions as Executive Director (Governance & Planning) at Edith Cowan University, and Executive Director (Strategic Resource Management) with the WA Department of Training. She also held policy roles in the Commonwealth Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Commonwealth Schools Commission, and policy and resource management roles in the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education and Training. Earlier, she was an academic in UWA’s Department of Education.

Susan is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is or has been on the Board of Management of Community Vision Inc. the Association for Tertiary Education Management, the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association and Women on Boards.

Susan received a WA Public Service scholarship to attend a Strategic Public Sector Leaders’ Summit, won for her department the Strategic Resource Management category of the Premier’s Awards for Public Sector Management, and was awarded a Syracuse University Fellowship and an Australian‐American Educational Foundation (Fulbright) Travel Grant. She was a joint winner of the Bertha Houghton Prize in Education (UWA) and Dux of the WA Secondary Teachers College.

In 2012 she was invited to join Convocation’s Statutes Committee and in her six years on Council she has never stopped contributing to improving Convocation, its Council and the relationship with the University. We have been extremely fortunate.

Susan is a self-proclaimed Governance junkie; exactly what Council has needed for the last six years. She has been a superbly dedicated member of Council while chairing the Statutes, Strategic Planning and Governance committees.

She has provided wonderful leadership for all of these and nowhere has she shone more brightly than in her leadership of the ongoing statute review that has followed the recent revision of the UWA Act. Her understanding of Convocation’s position and operations within the University is second to none. Susan is tactful and sharp, yet forthright, an ideal member of Council.

Convocation Medal - Hilary Silbert

Past Member of the University Senate – nomination for a Convocation Medal

Hilary has shown her leadership qualities and incredible energy and dedication to others dating back to her schooldays in the field of sports and women’s interests, as well as a broad-based approach to many altruistic endeavours.

Commencing with Sport: At Methodist Ladies College, she was Captain of the MLC Athletics Team, competing in the Interschool carnival where the team came first. Hilary competed in athletics winning the Kornhauser Trophy for outstanding female athlete at the Victorian Jewish Championships in 1968. Also in the same year she was named George Cohen Sportsman of the Year. In 1969 she represented Australia in the International Maccabi Games in Israel in athletics. Hilary received a Half Blue for Athletics from UWA in 1969. She has been a Member of the UWA Athletics Club both as a student and currently. She started learning fencing in 2004 and was a Member of UWA Fencing Club 2003 – 2009. She trained as a director of tournaments and was then invited to be chair of the organising committee for the WA International Fencing Tournament from 2005 – 2010. In 2005 Hilary was recipient of the award for “Outstanding Innovation” from the Australian Fencing Federation.

After leaving school she qualified as a Physical Education teacher, having received a Bachelor of Education from UWA, studying between 1967 and 1971. This led to her appointment later as the inaugural sports administrator for the Independent Girls’ Schools Sports Association between 1984 and 1987. Despite a busy professional life, Hilary worked to receive a Master of Education by thesis from UWA in 1986.

1986 – 1992 Hilary was a Research Assistant and Extension Officer at UWA and then became the first manager of corporate events at Edith Cowan University. This appointment led to Hilary taking a life-long interest in Edith Cowan, Australia’s first woman politician in 1921 at the age of 60 when she was married with 5 children. It inspired Hilary to create the Edith Dircksey Cowan Commemoration.

UWA Community activities/contribution1977 – 1982 Member of the Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW)2000 – current: Member of Graduate Women WA (previously called AFUW)2003 Hilary was invited by GWWA to organise the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 IFUW Conference in Perth. She joined the Local Arrangements Committee and liaised closely with the World President, IFUW staff who had come from Geneva and other delegates. Following this Hilary joined the GWWA Committee as one of the Vice-Presidents.

2005 – 2007 President of AFUW WA Inc. During this term Hilary initiated Association support for the Pre-School in Galle, SriLanka which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. She proposed a travel scholarship for the Head Teacher, Asanka, to visit WA and join the Professional Development program organised by Dr Dawn Butterworth. Following a month of training, school visits, cultural and social events, was a fund raising evening which raised $5000 for pre-schools in Galle (Sri Lanka) and Popendetta (Papua New Guinea).She also started Campus Circuit functions at all five WA universities and introduced the role of “Night Manager’ in respect of which volunteer members relieved the Executive Officer Karen Bothwell of the arduous task of collecting academic regalia from the UWA Undercroft after Graduation Ceremonies. Another highlight was her sponsorship for 3 years, on behalf of GWWA, of the Inaugural Tertiary United Nations Forums, organised through UNAA President, Dr Jan Ryan. Hilary also supported an initiative for the Association to present cheques to the 5 bursary winners at GWWA General Meetings so that the winners could be honoured by the Association in the company of their supervisors, family and friends. Hilary also served as the GWWA representative for 3 years with the Project Five-O Group which organised an annual event on such occasions as ‘White Ribbon Day’.

2006 – 2012 – Member of the Council of St Catherine’s College (where she was a second generation member, her father Eric Silbert having served in that role).Represented AFUW on the Scholarship Selection Panel of St. Catherine’s College Elected Life Member of Graduate Women WA Assisted at many UWA Graduation ceremonies as a volunteer in regalia. Generously donated an Honour Board for GWWA Presidents in 2007. Also initiated the donation of an Honour Board for St Catherine’s College scholarship winners of GWWA awards,2013 designed and event managed 15 months of celebrations for the 90th Anniversary of Graduate Women WA. This included raising $1000 for ‘Donate a Book Scheme’ for the Galle Pre-School, establishing 5 scholarships worth $5000 each presented to the 5 Western Australian universities, turning the traditional presentation night in May to a Gala Prize Night that honoured all awards made by GWWA since 1971. The year ended with the launch of the second volume of the GWWA History, organised by Hilary who also acted as proof reader and one of the editors.

2005 – 2007 Member of the Centenary Trust for Women Committee
UWA Governance contribution 2010 – 2018 Convocation-elected Member of the UWA Senate. Again here she was a second-generation member to serve, her father having done so 1975 – 1986 as a Government Appointee. In that role Hilary was involved in the selection of two Vice-Chancellors and one Chancellor. She was also appointed to be a Member of the Honorary Doctorate Committee and was invited to participate in the review of Graduation Ceremonies.

Throughout these 8 years, Hilary was a regular attender of the monthly Convocation Council Meetings, contributing valuable comment to the debate.
Hilary has shown a steady connection with UWA at many levels and in many roles from 1967 to the present day. She is always willing to assist and encourage others achieve their best.

Hilary is a person who has been a credit to UWA and Convocation has much pleasure in acknowledging her contribution by awarding her a Convocation Medal.

Outstanding student volunteer - Jiwei Li

Since 2016, Jiwei Li has successfully coordinated the SERAG (Swan Estuary Reserve Action Group) program; whereby she leads a group of up to 20 students to volunteer at Pelican Point at Matilda Bay on the first Saturday of every month. As a Student Volunteer Coordinator Jiwei is organized, approachable and enthusiastic and ensures that her volunteers are well supported and enjoying their volunteer work with SERAG. Her strong leadership skills and passion for volunteering, allows her to contribute to creating a better future for the local environment and migratory birds.

Convocation Medal - Patricia Ann Stroud

As a part-time, mature-aged student at this University, Pat Stroud was thrilled to find that she could become a member of the University Dramatic Society.

This she did, over the years involving herself acting and directing ‘onstage’, managing costumes and lights ‘backstage’, promoting marketing and box office ‘front-of-house’ and elected committee positions of Treasurer, Secretary and President.

Born in the UK in the 1940s, educated in Staffordshire, Pat trained in nursing. Her working career included appointments as Staff nurse, Sister-in-charge, Tutor-Sister with a full range of duties in hospitals variously in London, Cambridge and Northampton.

In 1966 she married a medical student and in 1974 the family, now including two daughters, came to Perth where Pat trained as a Volunteer Telephone Counsellor for The Samaritans. The Strouds moved to Auckland for several years and returned to Perth for the birth of their third daughter. They have lived here ever since.

After completing her BA, majoring in Renaissance Literature and Theatre Studies, Pat continued a similar range of honorary ‘duties’ with GRADS, the Graduates Dramatic Society.

The 20 years of ‘GRADS’ Summer Shakespeare at the New Fortune Theatre saw her scrubbing the outdoor chairs, being rehearsal prompt, costume manager and of course, acting. In a practical cost-saving exercise for the Society she completed a stage lighting technician’s course to operate the lights.

Pat’s interest and involvement in Perth theatre grew from her UDS contacts. She gained production management experiences with John Milson‘s Purcell’s ‘King Arthur’ ; Timothy West’s “Women Beware Women” at the Octagon, Raymond Omodei’s “Marriage of Figaro” at the Playhouse, and Geoffrey Gibbs’s “The Sound of Music” at His Majesty’s Theatre.

Through GRADS she quickly became part of the amateur community theatre in many capacities: Elected Honorary Secretary for the Independent Theatre Association Inc., she was responsible for the production and distribution of the monthly newsletter, ITA Link; and volunteered for major tasks with the Annual State Drama Festival and the Annual Finley Award nights.

She was Assistant Administrator, York Theatre Festival, for UWA English Dept., Administrator for Children’s Activities Times Society, (CATS), Artistic Director for the ‘Plays Plus Players’ Theatre Company Inc. and founded Omnibus Productions.

During the 1990s she was a presenter-broadcaster for University Radio Arts program 6UVS.fm with Rita Clarke, a former Convocation Councillor, providing Theatre reviews and interviews with RTR-fm "Artbeat" and "Wavelength".

Reading and recording books for the W A Blind Association , Pat last year, was recognized for her 30th year of recording books for the Vision Impaired and awarded second place in the inaugural National Audio Book of the Year Award for her presentation of Elizabeth Jolley's book ‘Sugar Mother’.

From 2012, Pat was the ‘anchor person’ for the poetry reading group ‘Well Versed’. Founding members of this group were predominantly retired UWA academics, GRADS and ‘old UDS’ performers. Theirs were the voices recorded for UWA’s Centenary ‘Luminous Night’.Much of Pat’s personal store of theatre memorabilia was donated to the volunteers of UWATCH (UWA Theatre Campus History) for the Centenary Collection of Theatre activities by University groups, presented to Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson in 2013 which is housed in the Reid Library’s Special Collections. Her prodigious memory was captured in an Oral History.

She has assisted with celebratory gatherings such as the 60th Birthday of GRADS and significant anniversaries of the Sunken Garden, the Octagon, New Fortune and Dolphin Theatres.

In this year which concludes the Centenary of the University Dramatic Society, Convocation congratulates one of its members with this presentation of a Convocation Medal.

Convocation Medal - Patricia Ann Stroud

Ms Maria Carvalho, in her role as University Archivist, has been of significant assistance to many Convocation projects. Over the past decade and a half many members of Council have valued her willing and rapid response to enquiries for accurate, well-sourced information. In particular, those who have volunteered to prepare for Graduate Reunions, University Anniversaries, The ‘UWATCH’ Theatre collection, historical articles for UNIVIEW and the on-going gathering for a Chronicle of Convocation, have benefited from her knowledge of the photographic holdings, attention to detail and her obliging and friendly attitude.

Born in Portugal in 1960 Maria was two when she migrated to Mozambique to join her father who had migrated a year and a half previously. Soon the family migrated to Rhodesia [Zimbabwe] to improve economic conditions. Maria graduated with a Rhodesian Certificate of Education with a distinction in history in 1976, and the equivalent of year 10 studies in Portuguese. Joining the firm of Dunn and Bradstreet she became Supervisor of the Hire Purchase Information section. However, by the end of 1977, due to the escalating civil war in Rhodesia, the family migrated once more, this time to Australia.

She was employed in the micrographics industry both in the private and public sectors, becoming the Technical Control Officer at the State Microfilm Bureau. During this period she undertook part time studies at Murdoch University, graduating BA [1994].

When the State Microfilm Bureau was discontinued in 1996 she transferred to the State Records Office and took up the role of Archives Assistant and Coordinator of the Government Agencies Microfilm Program. This provided her with an opportunity to expand her interest for research and preservation of history. Her delight in working with archives persuaded Maria to formalise her “hands-on” experience with a theoretical foundation in part time studies at Curtin University graduating with a Diploma in Recordkeeping and Archives [ 2002 ].

Maria continued as archives assistant at the State Records Office and in 2004 she was a finalist in the Early Career awards. In 2005, a secondment position arose at UWA. 6 months later to her delight and surprise she was appointed University Archivist. Maria regarded this as an opportunity to preserve and promote the history of UWA.

Maria is a member of several professional associations: the Australian Society or Archivists [ASA]: their deputy Representative to the State Records Advisory Council [SRAC]. She is a Member of the Australasian Universities Records and Archivists [AURA] and Associate member of the Records and Information Management Professional Australasia [RIMPA]. She makes recommendation to the State Records Commission [SRC] and Member of the ASA University Special Interest group [UniSig], previously holding the position of Convenor of this.

She is a member of the Archives Reference Group for “Expert Nation” an ARC 3-year funded project which is compiling an on-line biographical database of Australian University WWI staff and students. The objective is to capture their involvement in the war, its impact on their lives once they returned to Australia. It is a collaborative project involving the Australian War Memorial, The National Archives of Australia [NAA] and the Universities of Melbourne, Queensland, Adelaide, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Maria has been ex officio on the UWA Historical Society committee since its inception a decade ago. For the University Centenary she contributed to several publications; created an Archives on–line exhibition, and researched and provided a wide range of material for the designer of Luminous Night which transformed the Crawley campus into a walk-through phantasmagorical history of UWA.

Her normal duties are to assist and contribute to the compilation of Faculty and School histories and anniversaries and Reunion Displays and Exhibitions; Academic Research, Graduate Research, Corporate day-to-day needs, and background information on Bequests to the University.

Back in 1998, in the Weekend Australian, Giles Auty posed the question, “The University of Western Australia boasts the loveliest campus and buildings of any Australian University ...what blessed breed of people get to work in a place as this?”

Maria said she wanted to reply with “I am happy to be a member of that blessed breed!”.

Convocation Medal - Peter Malcolm Green

Peter Malcolm Green is a legend in the UWACC, because of his longevity as a player and also his commitment and contribution to the club, both behind the scenes and in the spotlight. He has been with the club since 1975-76, when he started playing as an undergraduate, and holds the club record for the number of WACA matches across all grades, playing regularly until 2005/06 – a 30 year span –altogether around 400 games in the UCC/UWACC cap, with most of these games running over two days. His record is well in advance of second on the list, who happens to be John Townsend.

Peter played 24 First Grade matches from 1978-79 to 1985-86, a tally that would have been higher had teaching not taken him to the country, so most of his matches have been in the lower grades. He was an important member of the Fourth Grade premiership side of 2002-03. His last WACA match was in 2010-11, so his playing career spanned 35 years. He was a fine leg-spin bowler, a useful batsman and a brilliant fieldsman, especially in the covers. He has also made many appearances for the UWACC Veterans cricket team, including a tour of England in 2008.

In 1977-78 he won the club’s Le Couteur Medal for the Champion Cricketer of that season.

He has held many administrative positions in the club, including Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and for several years was Chairman of Selectors. He was made a Life Member of the UWACC in 1992.

In 1995 Peter was granted the award of Club Letter at the 75th Anniversary of Sports Council Blues Awards presentation dinner.

But there is more:

• Peter has been a Committee member for around 20 years, has represented UCC on the WACA District Cricket Council, the Guild Sport and Recreation Council, has been Cricket Co-Ordinator for School Sport WA , President of the WACA Schools Cricket Council , and a member of the WACA Game Development Committee
• As well as playing Peter has attended and participated in the Nets somewhere between 500 but likely closer to 1000 training sessions.
• Recently he has been Chairman of Selectors and net captain for over five years
• Peter supported the movement to the Irwin St Building, helped the Club survive by taking the WACA to the Supreme Court for an injunction and then winning the battle at the WACA AGM, and repeated the fight for the club a few years later
• He helped establish the UWA Foundation which has guaranteed financial security for the Club, organise the UCC Team of the 20th Century and the associated function, and is on the organising committee for the club’s Centenary Dinner.

Some other Major achievements are:

• Preserving the history of the club by designing and have a friend make the Club Honour Board, and rescuing and helping restore all the club memorabilia from the old shed (with help from Mum)
• He has fought for the club by liaising with any group the club annoyed, indeed a few including their co-tenants Convocation.
• For 20 years he has helped get 44 players on the field with all grounds ready and with the correct gear (an arduous task)

Convocation Medal - Lesley Ann Cala

Clinical Professor Lesley Ann Cala was recognised as a wonderfully dedicated contributor to life and achievement at the University of Western Australia - a person who has given tirelessly, as a professional and volunteer for many decades. It is fair to say that organisations such as this university are dependent on a great team effort from its entire staff but also on those individuals who add even more by dedicating many voluntary hours beyond their paid duty.

Clinical Professor Cala has been a long term member of the academic staff at this university at the same time as she has dedicated many voluntary hours, days, months and years to the University's and her ideals. She strongly believes that education is the key to eradicating poverty and eliminating conflict and has exerted that belief applying her vast community experience while working with an impressive personal network developed through membership of key organisations at the University and a broad and diverse life as a health professional.

Not satisfied she had done enough through her dedication to thirty years of teaching, research and practice within this university, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, Professor Lesley Ann Cala also gave fifteen years to the University as a member of Senate, always with that deep understanding of what is right and how to do it well. There she was a constant advocate for her ideals. When her time ran out on Senate, she committed to another challenge, dedicating her time and efforts to Convocation Council, where she has served tirelessly as a Councillor since 2010, including chairing the Awards Committee for three years.

Lesley Cala is an eminent health professional, a specialist neuroradiologist of the highest order, who worked clinically at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for nearly forty years until 2000. She has held the title of Clinical Professor at UWA since 1991, held posts with several other prestigious universities and has contributed to international research, especially focusing on stroke in more recent years.

Aside from her outstanding career in medicine Lesley is a champion of women's interests where she is a past Vice President and Health Adviser for the National Council of Women, Australia. She served on the International Council for Women for ten years and has advised on International Relations and Peace.

Locally Lesley is a Life Member and has been Advisor for Health with Graduate Women WA Inc. She has advised the WA Minister for Women's Interests and is an Honorary Life Member of the National Council of Women (WA).

Lesley epitomises how to commit to and achieve your life's goals, while giving strongly to others so their lives also may also be improved.
As a graduate of this University and proud member of the Convocation of the University of Western Australia she is a deserving recipient of the Convocation Medal.

Convocation Medal - Trea Wiltshire

Ms Trea Wiltshire journalist, author and friend of Convocation 1993 – 2016

Convocation honoured a special individual who has for 23 years worked with Convocation and many Wardens, reporting  news, events and activities about UWA, its staff, students and graduates. Convocation has always placed a high priority on communicating with its 70,000 graduate members. As Editor and journalist of Uniview, UWA’s award-winning flagship publication, since its inception in 1993, Ms Trea Wiltshire has been an integral part of both the University's and Convocation’s efforts to communicate the value and significance of UWA’s role as the State’s premier higher-education institution.
An experienced, ethical and committed professional writer of the highest standards, Trea's contribution to the greater understanding of science, engineering, literature, the arts and medicine, in fact all aspects of university life, have earned her great respect. Her capacity to explain in clear concise language the most technical and complex matters has endeared her to readers. They have enjoyed her in depth articles on research and researchers, as well as UWA's academic and professional staff Indeed, in a recent survey more than two-thirds of recipients of Uniview indicated that they read and valued the hard copy magazine.

Under Trea's stewardship, the magazine has earned many national and state Tertiary Publications Awards presented by the Association of Development and Alumni Professionals in Education (ADAPE) and it has also been a joint winner of the Alex Harris Memorial Award for Science and the Environment.

Born in China, Trea grew up in Africa, studied at Rhodes University, South Africa, then began a career journalism in the United Kingdom before relocating to Hong Kong. Trea arrived at the height of the Cultural Revolution when the border with China had closed, riots engulfed the city, and Maoist marchers seriously worried local Chinese. Hong Kong was filled with wonderful contrasts - one minute Trea was covering a fashion show in the Hong Kong Hilton, the next interviewing a refugee family in a squatter shack. Trea went from reporting for the English language South China Morning Post and Editing features for the Sunday Post Herald in Hong Kong, to editing in flight magazines for Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai International, and writing the first of many books.

Since her arrival in WA as a freelance journalist in the early 1970s, Trea has built a strong journalistic reputation within the community as Editor of ARTIFACTS, the journal of the Cultural Development Council; Arts Editor of The Western Mail newspaper; Publicist for the WA Ballet Company; Editor of WA Ballet News; Publicist for the WA Museum;Editor of the publication "Your Museum"; Perth correspondent for Vogue Living; freelance travel writer for Cathay Pacific’s "Discovery" magazine, the Sheraton Hotel’s Marco Polo Sojourn, the Hong Kong Tatler, and the Far East Traveller.

It is the view of Convocation Council that Trea Wiltshire’s significant contribution to Convocation and also the University as a whole over more than two decades warrants substantial recognition. Ms Trea Wiltshire was therefore presented with a Convocation Medal at the 2016 First Ordinary Meeting of Convocation.

Her published works include:

Books published by FormAsia, HongKong

Convocation Medal - Neil Donaldson

Neil Donaldson was honoured for his immense contribution to the University Football Club over the past 62 years. He has committed amazing service to the University and the many students and graduates he has coached, mentored and supported in so many other ways.

Neil Donaldson became involved in amateur football with the University Football Club in 1954 when he enrolled in Chemistry at UWA. While studying he was club Secretary with University, which was part of the Metropolitan Football Association from 1954 to 1960, before being elected as the club's Vice President.

His UWA studies continued as Neil sought his ideal course, switching from Chemistry to Geology and Maths, then to Economics and Economic History. However, his career called and he left UWA one third year unit short of completion. That did not dampen his enthusiastic association with the University Football Club.

He was elected University Club President in 1963 and coached the club's inaugural C Grade team.  He held the Presidential role until 1965. He coached the club's new D Grade team from 1964 to 1968.

In 1968, nearly fifty years ago, Neil's 252 games and tireless efforts for University were acknowledged as he was honoured with Life Membership of the University Football Club.

However, Donaldson biggest legacy is as coach and mentor. From 1969 to 1971, and again from 1973 to 1974 and 1976 he coached University’s A Colts. In 1972, he coached the club’s A Grade. He led University teams to seven consecutive grand finals, winning premierships in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974 and 1976. In 1975, he took a year off from coaching, and was an A Grade selector and Team Manager. In 1956, Donaldson became the University delegate to the WAAFL.  In 1971 he joined the inaugural WAAFL Management Committee, a position he remained in until 1979.

In both 1964 and 1967, Donaldson was the WAAFL State Team Runner. In 1970, he was a State Team Selector and Carnival Director for the Australian Amateur Football Council Carnival in Perth.

In 1971 and 1972 Donaldson was WAAFL State Team Manager.

He was a WAAFL State Team Selector in 1971, 1972 and 1975 and was the Chairman of Selectors in 1976 and 1978.

The WAAFL bestowed Life Membership on Donaldson in 1972.

His efforts continued to be recognised as he was awarded National Football Council Merit Award for services to amateur football in 1990.  In 2000, Neil was awarded an Australian Sports Medal from the Australian Government, and in 2003 was awarded AFL Recognition to Volunteers of Australian football. 

In 2012, Donaldson was honoured with WA Football Commission Life Membership.  In 2014, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to Australian Rules football in WA.

The WAAFL thanked Neil for his efforts in 2014, celebrating his 60th year of involvement with WA amateur football by inducting him into the Hall of Champions as a Champion. Throughout all of this time he has been the heart and soul of the University Football Club, the "Green Machine", probably the most successful AFL football club in Australia. His legendary status is well recorded in Jim Wieland's anecdotal history of the club, referred to as a drinking club with a football problem. Neil has probably contributed more than anyone to solve that problem. He has never been absent and continues today encouraging, guiding and supporting his beloved UFC.

It is the view of Convocation Council that Neil Donaldson's significant contribution to Convocation and the University over more than six decades warrants substantial recognition. 

Neil Donaldson was then presented with the Convocation Medallion for his contribution to the University and the wider community.

Certificate of Appreciation

Is presented to

Elizabeth Frith

In sincere recognition of the longstanding service provided over 30 years to the Friends Groups of the University of Western Australia, and in particular the Friends of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.

Adjunct Professor Warren Kerr AM
Warden of Convocation

Convocation Medal - Terry Larder

Terry Larder commenced working for the University of Western Australia in early 1988. His first position was in the Records section of Archives, where developed his thirst for knowledge of the history of the University. At the end of 1988 Terry transferred to the Vice-Chancellery, where he became General Assistant to the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fay Gale.

 In 1991 he was offered the position of Alumni Officer in what was then the Alumni Office. This was the beginning of his invaluable involvement with the graduate community. 

 In 1999, due to his knowledge of the University and to his strong links with graduates, Terry was chosen to be the Co-ordinator of the new Visitors’ Information Centre. A position he continues to hold. 

It has often been said that Terry is the ‘public face’ of the University, and the Visitors’ Centre is most frequently the first point of contact on campus for the general public. As well as managing the Visitors’ Centre Terry co-ordinates and supervises a team of ‘graduate volunteers’, who give their time to help in the Centre.

Terry has been the principal organiser for numerous international and national alumni events and from time to time he has written pieces for the Uniview magazine. 

At those times when Rita Clarke, editor of the Convocation pages in Uniview, is not available to prepare the material for Uniview, Terry willingly gives his assistance to the extent of writing and editing material and laying out the pages. Terry is always present at Ordinary meetings, where he helps to welcomes graduates, a great many of whom he knows by name. He often acts as Convocation’s official photographer – all in his own time, and he is always on the lookout for information that can help Convocation keep abreast of what is going on and keep its records up to date.

Mrs Jane Green, a graduate volunteer at the Centre, says of Terry that he ‘brings great energy and enthusiasm to his job and this is displayed in his constant willingness to not only assist the visitors to the University, but to assist his volunteers and fellow staff. He is generous both with his time and his vast knowledge of the University.’

I would add that it is this very same willingness and generosity of spirit which he offers to the Council and the membership of Convocation that make him a more than worthy candidate for of membership of Convocation itself - a body to which he has given so much.

Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and many others in the hierarchy have found Terry to be an invaluable resource when seeking information on the University from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Although Ken cannot be here this evening, when he was Chancellor, Dr Ken Michael was always fulsome in his praise of Terry and his vast store of institutional knowledge.

In 2013 as part of UWA’s and Convocation’s centennial celebrations, every former living Warden received a Convocation Medal in recognition of their outstanding service and commitment to Convocation, the University and the community. These Convocation medal recipients are listed below, along with the years in which they served as Warden. The complete list of former Wardens can be found here.

• Dr Ian Anthony (1991-1994)
• Dr Sue Baker (1996-2003)
• Mr Peter Clifton (2003-2004)
• Mr Simon Dawkins (2008-2011)
• Mr John Gillett (1968-1972)
• The Honourable Bill Hassell AM (1979-1980)
• Associate Professor David Hodgkinson (2011-2013)
• Mr Bruce James OAM (1982-1984, 1985-1986)
• Mr Paul Nichols (1988-1991)
• Mr Brian Pember (1994-1996)
• Dr Joan Pope OAM (1986-1988)
• Mr Matthew Zilko SC (2004-2006)