Chancellor’s leadership acknowledged

In a significant tribute, the University of Adelaide has today, Friday 8 March, International Women’s Day, unveiled a portrait of Chancellor Branson, commemorating her reappointment for a third term and recognising her valued service to the University.

The Honourable Catherine Branson AC KC, a Law and Arts graduate of the University of Adelaide, joined the University Council in 2013, became Deputy Chancellor in 2017 and Chancellor in 2020.

“I feel honoured and privileged to have been entrusted with this role for a further term,” Ms Branson said after the Council voted unanimously to reappoint her on 12 February.

Anna Platten painted the Chancellor’s portrait which will hang in Bonython Hall.

After graduating from the University of Adelaide first in Law and then in Arts, Chancellor Branson pursued a career, first as a solicitor, then as a government lawyer, a barrister including as Queen’s Counsel and judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

She was appointed as Crown Solicitor of South Australia at the age of 35 becoming the first female Crown Solicitor in Australia and the first female permanent head of a South Australian government department. As President of the Australian Human Rights Commission for four years, she was a determined advocate for the disadvantaged.

Ms Branson is the University of Adelaide’s 17th Chancellor. The transition to the new Adelaide University means she is likely to be the last.

Today, Adelaide University was formally established as an entity under South Australian legislation, with the University of South Australia’s Chancellor Pauline Carr appointed as Chancellor of the Transition Council of the new University.