Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellows

Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellows are persons of national and international eminence, involved in development and implementation of strategic, student, research and operational activities of the University. They are integral to Monash’s outreach in encouraging public intellectual discourse and debate, leadership development and mentorship to students and staff. Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellows are bestowed with the title of Professor for the duration of their appointment at the University.

John Bertrand, AM

An international sportsman, businessman and philanthropist, John Bertrand is a distinguished Monash alumnus. John skippered the winged keel Australia 2 to victory in the 1983 America’s Cup, overcoming 132 years of American domination to break the longest running record in the history of modern sport. His leadership roles include Chair of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Chair of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Chair of selectors of the Australian Olympic sailing team, the highest ranked at the 2012 Olympics.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, John is involved in the development of an intensive leadership program at Monash for postgraduate students and Monash alumni.

John Brumby

Former member of the Australian and the Victorian Parliaments, John Brumby served as Premier of Victoria, Victorian Treasurer and Leader of the Victorian Opposition. Following retirement from Parliament, John accepted several Board positions, including Chairman of the Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund. Among his community involvements have been his work as Chairman of Trustees of the Joe Welch Bursary Trust, as an Australia Day Ambassador and an active member of the Fred Hollows Foundation.

John’s role as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow includes serving on the board of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, staff mentoring and guest student lectures.

Richard Divall, AO OBE

Eminent composer, conductor and musicologist Richard Divall’s career has encompassed roles as a music producer with the ABC, Music Director of the Victorian State Opera and Principal Resident Conductor of Opera Australia. He has conducted many concerts, ballets and more than 150 operas. As musicologist, he has edited over 150 works of early Maltese Music and more than 200 works by early Australian composers. Richard is a Knight of Malta in Solemn Religious Profession and is active in hospitaller works.

A member of the fundraising committee for the construction of the new Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash, Richard also assists mentoring and teaching at the School.

Mary Finsterer

Acclaimed as one of Australia’s most original composers, Mary Finsterer has achieved international recognition, her work having been performed by leading ensembles and orchestras. Among her numerous awards are international music prizes and a Churchill Fellowship. Her experience incorporates also work as a director and producer. Mary has been increasingly involved in multimedia, composing notated scores and electro-acoustic landscapes. Current projects include composition for the concert stage, cinema and opera.

Mary’s Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow role includes performance program management and teaching in the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, commissioned composition and advancement of Monash’s profile.

Petro Georgiou

As a member of Federal Parliament, Petro Georgiou served on parliamentary committees including as Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Science and Innovation and Deputy Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Audit. Prior to entering Parliament, Petro had been Victorian State Director of the Liberal Party, the Founding Director of the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs and a Prime Ministerial senior adviser. His community activities include board membership of the State Library of Victoria.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Petro contributes to teaching in politics, participates in student seminars and public lectures and provides advice to faculty.

Paul Grabowsky

Australian pianist, jazz musician, conductor and composer Paul Grabowsky has achieved national and international renown in the performing arts. Among his many distinguished awards have been four ARIA awards and the Melbourne Prize for Music. In addition to composition and performance, Paul has directed festivals, including the Adelaide Festival, and held senior posts such as Commissioning Editor (Arts and Entertainment) at the ABC. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Australian Art Orchestra.

Based in the Faculty of Arts as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Paul is Executive Director, Performing Arts, in Monash’s Academy of Performing Arts.

Leon Kempler, OAM

Businessman Leon Kempler’s prominent honorary roles include: Chair of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce; Chair of the Advisory Council of the National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon); Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation; and Director of the General Sir John Monash Foundation. He is Chair of Ducere, Director of Launcher Services and International Adviser to Mesoblast Ltd. His awards include the prestigious Jerusalem Prize.

In his role of Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Leon assists the advancement of Monash’s national and international profile and strategy, particularly in Israel.

Janine Kirk, AM

Executive Director of The Prince's Charities Australia Janine Kirk has extensive experience in the business, public and not-for-profit sectors. Janine's appointments have included Partner at Ernst & Young, CEO of the Committee for Melbourne, Ministerial Advisor in the Australian Government and Honorary Aide to the Governor of Victoria. Her community roles have included Chair of Tourism Victoria, Melbourne Prize Trust and Management Committee and the Leadership Advisory Board, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, at Monash.

A distinguished Monash alumnus, Janine is contributing as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow to Monash leadership programs, public lectures and external relations.

Daryl Le Grew

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania and the University of Canterbury Professor Daryl Le Grew has held board memberships of Universities Australia, Australian Research Council, Australian Learning and Teaching Council, National Cultural Heritage Committee and the Higher Education Research Reference Group. Daryl’s community involvement includes Life Membership of the Museum of Victoria. A registered architect, Daryl was an adjudicator and key consultant to major public projects including the new Museum of Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria refit and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Daryl’s role as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow includes advice in strategic academic and organisational matters and on activities of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.

Alistair "Murray" McLean, AO

As one of Australia’s most senior professional diplomats, Murray McLean served as Australian Ambassador to Japan, in senior China postings (in Beijing and as Australian Consul-General in Shanghai), Australian High Commissioner to Singapore and as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. After retirement from government service, Murray was appointed as Chair of the Australia Japan Foundation and adviser in the development of the Australian Government’s White Paper “Australia in the Asian Century”. He also advises and consults to business through his company, Dunmore McLean Pty Ltd.

A Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Murray provides advice on Monash’s international activities, especially the strengthening of Monash’s relations with China and Asia in general.

Paul McNamee, AM

Renowned international tennis professional and sports administrator Paul McNamee is a distinguished Monash alumnus. Among Paul’s achievements as a tennis player have been his No. 1 world ranking (doubles), No. 1 Australian ranking (singles), winner of 5 Grand Slam doubles titles and member of two winning Australian Davis Cup teams. His sport administration roles have included: co-founder and Tournament Director, Hopman Cup; and chief executive/chairman roles in Australian Tennis and Golf Opens. Paul is founder and Chairman of the Kids Tennis Foundation.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Paul is assisting Monash’s development as an enhanced destination for elite Australian and Asia-Pacific athletes and for sport-related study.

Hugh Niall

Hugh Niall’s extensive experience in academic medical research and in the biotechnology industry has included senior positions at Harvard University, the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine and at Genentech (USA) and as Chief Executive of Biota Holdings and a founding Director of the Australian Stem Cell Centre. His continued involvement in research commercialisation has included appointment as Chair of the Investment Committee of the venture capital equity fund Genesis Fund.

In his role as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Hugh advises on research commercialisation and contributes to Monash’s Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program.

Maudie Palmer, AO

Eminent curator and director in Australian modern art and contemporary visual art Maudie Palmer was Founding Director of both the Heide Park and Art Gallery (now the Heide Museum of Modern Art) and the TarraWarra Museum of Art. She was project director for the development of the vision and architectural briefs for construction of major buildings at both museums and has been integral to the development of sculpture parks at Heide and Herring Island. Among her awards is her Life Membership of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Maudie’s role as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture includes providing advice in fine arts and curatorial studies.

Kay Patterson

As a former university academic, Australian Senator and Minister (Health & Ageing; Family & Community Services; Assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues), Kay Patterson is a distinguished Monash alumnus. Her sustained community involvement has included her Life Membership of Girl Guides Victoria, 20-year membership of Monash University Council and her membership of the Board of the Brockhoff Foundation. A consistent supporter of embryonic stem cell research, Kaye was pivotal to legislation enabling such research.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Kay’s role includes: advising on external relationships; and involvement in Monash’s Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program.

Geoff Raby

A former Australian Ambassador to China and senior member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Geoff Raby is Chairman and CEO of Geoff Raby and Associates – a Beijing-based business advisory firm, Executive Director of Riverstone Advisory and Independent Director on boards including Fortescue Mining Group, OceanaGold and Gloucester Coal. He is also Co-Chair of Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s China Business group. Geoff holds a ministerial appointment to the International Education Advisory Council.

Geoff’s involvement as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow includes public lectures, research publication and advice on strengthening Monash’s international relationships.

Paul Ramadge

In his career of leadership in the media industry, Paul Ramadge has held editorial posts including: Editor-in-Chief and other editorial roles at The Age; Editor-in-Chief, The Newcastle Herald; Editor with Macquarie Publications; and Guest Editor at The Guardian (UK). Among his external roles have been as a delegate to the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, his board membership of the Australian Science Media Centre and as a member representative on the Committee for Melbourne.

A Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Paul is providing leadership in Monash’s engagement with Indonesia and is involved in leadership programs and mentoring in Journalism.

Graeme Samuel, AC

Lawyer, banker and former President of the National Competition Council and Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel is a distinguished Monash alumnus. His extensive community involvement has included: Chairman of the Playbox Theatre and Opera Australia; Commissioner of the Australian Football League; Chair of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust; and Chair of the Inner and Eastern Health Care Network. Graeme is Managing Director of independent investment bank Greenhill.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Graeme is based in the Faculty of Business and Economics with particular focus on public policy, including reform and competition policy.

Paul Sheahan

Former Australian Test Cricketer, Principal of The Geelong College and Headmaster, Melbourne Grammar School, Paul Sheahan is a distinguished Australian who has had extensive community involvement. Paul’s public engagements have included: Trustee of the Sir Robert Menzies Foundation; Director, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Pty Ltd; President, Lord’s Taverners (Victoria); Member, Special Olympics Organising Board; and Director, Queen Victoria Market Board. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and Life Governor of the Australian Drug Foundation.

Paul’s role as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow includes contributing at Monash in areas such as education paradigm development, leadership programs and doctoral training.

John Thwaites

A distinguished Monash alumnus, John Thwaites is a former Member of the Victorian Parliament who served as Deputy Premier of Victoria and as Minister in portfolios including Health, Planning, Environment, Victorian Communities and as Victoria’s first Minister for Climate Change. In these portfolios, he was responsible for major reforms in social policy, health, environment and water. Since retiring from Parliament, his roles have included Chair of the National Sustainability Council of Australia, the Australian Building Codes Board and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and infrastructure adviser to Timor-Leste.

Located in the Monash Sustainability Institute as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, John is Chair of the Institute and Chair of ClimateWorks Australia.