Vale John Fahey 1945-2020
The Hon. John Fahey AC, GCSG
Chancellor of Australian Catholic University
The Hon John Fahey AC, GCSG has been a figure in public life for more than 30 years. He has shown exemplary leadership and integrity at the highest level of government, sport, community organisations and business.
Mr Fahey was New South Wales Premier from 1992-95 before entering federal politics, and serving as the Minister for Finance and Administration in the Howard government until 2001. He was instrumental in securing the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, acting as Chairman of the bid team. In 2002 Mr Fahey was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his work in the political arena, and facilitation of industry growth and industrial relations reform.
Five years later he became President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, a position he held until November 2013. In this role Mr Fahey was a driving force behind moves to increase and enhance drug testing in sport around the world.
Mr Fahey is the fourth Chancellor of Australian Catholic University.
University Profile
At ACU we pride ourselves on offering a welcoming environment for everyone. At the same time, we are a university committed to standing for something clear. We stand up for people in need and causes that matter.
The world is our campus
We’re young, but we’re making our mark. We’re ranked in the top 40 of Generation Y universities worldwide* and in the top 10 Catholic universities** – alongside Georgetown University and Boston College in the US. We put our students and staff at the centre of a vibrant global network of scholars, partnerships and opportunities. ACU has seven campuses around Australia – in Brisbane, North Sydney, Strathfield, Canberra, Ballarat, Melbourne and Adelaide – and a campus in Rome, Italy. In 2021 we'll be opening a new campus in Blacktown, Western Sydney. Our students have the chance to study overseas with one of more than 200 partners around the world.
Engaged with industry and society
We’re closely integrated into our communities and industries, working with them to answer the big questions, and to create tangible results. All our students enjoy extensive opportunities for practical placements, and community engagement is a core part of their university experience. When they graduate, our students are ready to work.
We see the whole person
Everyone is welcome at ACU. We’re inclusive and supportive of everyone, every day, and our students feel it – giving us five stars for full-time employment, overall experience, learner engagement and skills development.***
From academic skills to career and counselling services, we have a range of support services to help our students succeed, and we offer nearly 400 scholarships.
Education with a bigger purpose
ACU offers programs in allied health, business, creative arts, early childhood education, global studies, humanities and social sciences, inclusive education and disability studies, information technology, law, nursing, midwifery and paramedicine, nutrition and biomedical science, philosophy, psychology, public health and administration, sport and exercise science, teaching and education, and theology.
Our research programs tackle enduring and pressing issues in society, in Australia, and around the world.
At ACU, it’s education, but with a bigger purpose.
* Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
** Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020
*** Good Universities Guide 2020
To find out more, view the Australian Catholic University Constitution or visit the Australian Catholic University website.
Governance
Australian Catholic University Senate
ACU is a public company limited by guarantee in addition to a public university under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth). The governing body of ACU, as prescribed in Section 13 of the Constitution of the University, is the Senate.
The objects of the Senate are as follows:
Review and endorse strategic directions and priorities; and monitor progress against agreed goals.
Oversee the establishment and effective operation of key policies.
Ensure adequate risk management procedures and associated internal controls are established and effectively maintained.
Oversee the effective and prudential operation of the University, including approval and monitoring of budgets and financial plans.
Require and monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
Ensure the University’s assets and resources are properly managed.
Effectively manage its own operations with due concern for proper and appropriate accountability.
Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and President.
Ensure a clear definition of Senate’s role and the delegated responsibilities and authorities it assigns to the Vice-Chancellor and President, other officers, and the Senate Sub-Committees and the Academic Board.
Membership of Australian Catholic University’s Senate is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
The Hon. John Fahey AC, GCSG – Chancellor
Mr Julien O’Connell AM – Pro-Chancellor
Professor Greg Craven AO, GCSG – Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Margot Hillel OAM – Chair of Academic Board
Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP– Cleric nominated by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Elected by State Chapters
Ms Annette Schmiede – New South Wales (to AGM 2021)
Mr Stephen Elder OAM – Victoria (to AGM 2020)
Mr Ross Fox – ACT (to AGM 2022)
Mr Karl Morris AO – Queensland (to AGM 2022)
Elected from Panel
Mr Tim Kirk – ACT (to AGM 2020)
The Hon. Barbara Perry – New South Wales (to AGM 2022)
Ms Bernadette Steele – Victoria (to AGM 2020)
The Hon. Justice James Douglas – Queensland (to AGM 2022)
Elected Members
Dr Josephine Ryan – Elected Academic Staff (to AGM 2020)
Dr Judith Norris– Elected Academic Staff (to AGM 2022)
Associate Professor Elspeth Froude – Elected Academic Staff (to AGM 2022)
Ms Danielle Leahy – Elected General staff member (to AGM 2020)
Chanchal ‘Preet’ Kaur – Student Member (to December 2020)
Other Governing Bodies
Constituted under Sections 1-12 of the ACU Constitution, ACU Limited (Corporation) consists of 24 Members, divided according to Bishops and their nominees and Congregational Leaders. There are 24 Member in total. The President of Corporation is Most Reverend Mark Coleridge DD.
State based Chapters serve as conduits between the University’s multi-State campuses and the respective dioceses with respect to the application of the University’s teaching, research, mission and social engagement initiatives in the dioceses.
Reporting to the Senate are the following sub-committees:
Finance and Resources Committee
Chair – Mr Julien O’Connell AM, Pro-Chancellor
Audit and Risk Committee
Chair – Mr Robert Baker (external to University)
Senate Standing Committee
Chair – The Hon. John Fahey AC, GCSG, Chancellor
Honorary Awards Committee
Chair – The Hon. John Fahey AC, GCSG, Chancellor
Academic Board
Chair – Professor Margot Hillel OAM