Bulletin

Issue: July/August 2007

News

Buildings named for leaders in science and arts

From left, Professor Millis,
Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson,
Professor Osborne, Chancellor Sylvia
Walton and Dr Jackson.

Professor Millis’ ground-breaking research into water quality and long association with the water industry has helped improve water treatment, a field critical at a time of reduced supply.

‘It is very fitting,’ said Pro Vice- Chancellor, Dr Julie Jackson, ‘that she has agreed to lend her name to the Albury- Wodonga campus building that houses the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre.’

Another building on the campus, housing the administration and academic offices, was named after former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne, a distinguished scholar recognised internationally for his contributions as a classicist and Hellenist, and his research in China.

During his time as Vice-Chancellor, he oversaw the development of La Trobe’s regional mission. ‘The naming of the building is an important recognition of Professor Osborne’s contributions to higher education in regional Victoria,’ Dr Jackson said.

Professor Millis was Chancellor of La Trobe from 1992 to 2006. She has been a strong supporter of research on the Albury-Wodonga campus, and was especially pleased to see the location of the MDFRC on this campus, to strengthen collaborative research on environmental, social and management issues around fresh water. Among the many honours bestowed on Professor Millis was selection as one of five ‘Australian Science Legends’ for a series of postage stamps in 2002.

Professor Osborne was Vice-Chancellor and President of the University from 1990 to 2006 and played a key role in the internationalisation of Australian higher education.

With a strong commitment to equity of access to higher education for regional as well as metropolitan students, his tenure as Vice-Chancellor saw the regional mission of the University flourish, with campuses in six regional Victorian centres. During this time, the Albury-Wodonga campus grew from fewer than 200 enrolments to its current size of more than 1,100 students.