Deborah and Xavier and I are happy to be back in Armidale, so pleased to be back at the University of New England and delighted to back amongst friends.
I miss this tableland town more than I can say. Thoughts of Armidale are a constant companion. Memories and images of the city and the University come to me often, and at the most unexpected times.
At the sound of wind through leaves and I see again the autumn colours of the trees in Elm Drive. Feeling the sun on my neck and I think again of those glorious Spring graduation days with all their colour, pride and joy.
But mostly it is in winter that Armidale lives in my memory.
The early dark of mid-winter afternoons, watching woodsmoke rising into the cold air. Out walking on frozen mornings at the edge of Armidale, stars bright against the black sky. The images that Judith Wright, poet laureate of the New England, describes most vividly in South of My Days:
“I know it dark against the stars, the high lean country full of old stories that will go walking in my sleep.”
For me those stories are filled with Armidale and the University.
The mountains that surround and protect this town, the Spring flowers in the garden bed outside the Chancellor’s library, the Autumn mist clinging to the folds of the land. Wallabies feeding on the lawns of Trevanna, and across the way the light of a lonely homestead that shines through the night.
These scenes live with me and go walking in my sleep.
And now too that this portrait hangs here in Boolamimbah there will be the stories of this place, the meetings, the students, the graduations, the lives that have been changed for the better by a UNE education. The stained glass stories of Boolamimbah will be amongst the stories that I treasure.
But it is always the memories of people that are most important.
Chancellor James Harris’s great humility and integrity were evident to me when I first met James in Sydney over a cup of tea. He has the strength, character and quality of a great Chancellor.
Dr Brian Denman’s warmth and welcome to me onto the Council when I was so unaware of how Council operated was very welcome. Brian was genuine and generous and welcoming.
Deputy Chancellor Jan McClelland has been a practical, capable, dependable and honest friend to UNE and to me for many years. I was privileged to work with her when I was Minister for Education in the NSW Government and proud to appoint her as the first woman Director General of the Department of Education in NSW. I was delighted when she was appointed as Deputy Chancellor of the University aware of her life long commitment and skill in education and public administration.
I recall the Chair of the Academic Board Professor Nick Reid explaining the intricacies of the Academic Board and revealing his sense of balance and ability to represent the cause of his colleagues and of students.
Michael Kirk was a student representative on Council when I was Chancellor and has since begun his career teaching in Grafton. Mick is an outstanding graduate of UNE and already a leader of the indigenous community. We all have great hopes for him in Aboriginal leadership.
I remember Brendan Peet’s practicality and problem solving and his joy in his family and his Banded Galloways. I am glad he is still at the University.
I remember the Vice Chancellor, Professor Annabelle Duncan so fondly. I recall her loyalty to the previous Vice Chancellor Jim Barber and her willingness to step into the role when the need and opportunity arose. The Council of the University took an enlightened decision when it appointed such a capable, committed, loyal hard-working woman to guide the University.
And I recall so many others fondly; Bob Finch and Jeanette van de
Lee from Council, and Gabrielle Price for her support to all Council members with her accurate and intelligent analysis of issues. And of course, Libby Kettlestring for the work that she does in supporting Council, organizing the Chancellor and former Chancellors. Libby, thank you for your practical, tender hearted care.
But in particular tonight I wanted to thank the Chancellor and the University for continuing the tradition of portraiture.
I acknowledge Kristen Hardiman for her skill in completing the portrait.
The former Prime Minister Billy Hughes that strange little aggressive Welshman, who was P.M. back in WW1, said of portraiture:
“When having my portrait painted, I don’t want justice, I want mercy.”
I thank Kristen for her mercy.
As to whether I think this a good likeness I am conscious that the Great Norwegian master Edvard Munch who painted that famous masterpiece, The Scream, said,
‘A person himself believes that all the other portraits are good likenesses except the one of himself ‘.
So perhaps I should comment no further but to say thank you to Kristen for the work, thank you to the Council of the University for commissioning it and for hanging it and thereby continuing the tradition of portraiture.
I am especially pleased that my portrait features the heavy door and alcove to Boolamimbah where so many photo portraits of UNE students over the years have been taken.
It reminds us that this University has ben instrumental in changing the lives of thousands of people over the years through the transforming power of education.
The University has played a critical role in educating the people of this region including indigenous students and it has also been rightly praised for the quality and comprehensiveness of its distance education. The University of New England has a long history of quality tertiary education. Like all of you I am delighted at being a part of its history.
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