Curtin University of Technology invested its new Chancellor, Dr Jim Gill, AO, at a special ceremony conducted at the Bentley campus this week.
The former WA Water Corporation Chief Executive Officer succeeds Gordon Martin, Executive Chairman of Coogee Chemicals.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket, welcomed Dr Gill to the Curtin community.
“Dr Gill will bring enormous knowledge and experience to our Council and we look forward to his strong leadership as we move towards our vision of becoming a top 20 university in Asia by 2020,” she said.
Dr Gill said he was honoured to become Curtin’s sixth Chancellor.
“Curtin has an inspiring ‘can-do’ character and has a refreshing ability to innovate successfully. Its achievements over the past two decades have been phenomenal, and I am very proud to become a part of the next stage of its growth and development,” he said.
Dr Gill was the Water Corporation’s inaugural CEO from 1996 until he retired in December 2008.
A major focus during his tenure was a program to greatly increase the State’s water source capacity and promote efficient water usage.
Dr Gill graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with First Class Honours from The University of Western Australia (UWA) in 1968 and a PhD from Cambridge University in 1972. His career commenced with the WA Main Roads Department in 1973. From 1988 to 1995 Dr Gill was WA’s Commissioner of Railways.
In 2006, Dr Gill was named the Australian Civil Engineer of the Year. He was awarded the Grand Award of the International Water Association in 2008.
The investiture ceremony was officiated by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael, AC, Governor of Western Australia.
Following the investiture, Dr Gill officially launched the Curtin Foundation, with an announcement of $2.2 million in gifts. The Foundation, aimed at providing philanthropic support for the University, will be chaired by Dr Gill.
