New vice-chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater with Chancellor Michael Chaney at the robing ceremony.
Camera IconNew vice-chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater with Chancellor Michael Chaney at the robing ceremony. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

UWA installs 18th Vice-Chancellor at celebration

Montana ArdonWestern Suburbs Weekly

PROFESSOR Dawn Freshwater has been formally installed as the 18th Vice-Chancellor of UWA, with a celebration of the appointment at Winthrop Hall last Wednesday evening.

UWA Chancellor Michael Chaney welcomed the Vice-Chancellor with a robing ceremony in front of more than 500 guests.

During the ceremony, the Chancellor presented Prof Freshwater with her Vice-Chancellor’s robe and cap to formally symbolise her appointment as the lead academic of the state’s oldest university.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

In her formal acceptance speech, Prof Freshwater said she was delighted to take responsibility for overseeing the future vision of the university at a time when education and skills development have never been more important.

“As the newly appointed 18th Vice-Chancellor I look forward to helping write the next successful chapter of UWA’s story,” she said.

“We need to make sure our imagination is never limited and UWA has a great role to play in growing the imagination.”

Prof Freshwater held the position of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Registrar at UWA for the past three years, and prior to that was at the University of Leeds in the UK.

Dr Chaney said Prof Freshwater’s academic background and leadership skills would form a solid foundation for the university’s future.

“We are confident that we have the right Vice-Chancellor to lead the university through its next phase of growth and success,” Dr Chaney said.