2007 Media Releases
Friday 19 October, 2007
La Trobe Chancellor wins Gold Medal for educational leadership
La Trobe University Chancellor, Ms Sylvia Walton, has won the top award from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders for her services to education.
A contributor to the development of education policy in both the government and non-government sectors, Ms Walton was described as ‘one of Australia’s foremost principals’. She was cited for having ‘overseen remarkable achievement and success, particularly at Tintern Girls Grammar School’ where she worked for many years.
Ms Walton was also recognised for her long-standing contribution to education policy. She has been a member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board, the Victorian Boards of Studies, the Victorian Institute of Teaching Accreditation Committee and the Association of Independent Schools.
Congratulating Ms Walton on winning the award, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson said the University derived great benefit from Ms Walton’s wide experience as an educator and her in-depth knowledge of the Australian school system.
A member of the La Trobe University Council since 1993, Ms Walton has been Deputy Chancellor since 1997. She was appointed Chancellor of La Trobe University in 2006.
In the 2003 Australia Day Honours List, Ms Walton was awarded the second highest order – Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia, or ‘AO’ – in recognition of her leadership in education at the secondary and tertiary levels.
The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) is the major professional association for educational leaders, with members from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world.
The ACEL Gold Medal is presented annually to an educator whose ‘contribution to the study and practice of educational administration and leadership is assessed as most outstanding nationally’.