Ann Sherry AO installed as Queensland University of Technology’s sixth chancellor

The Queensland University of Technology’s new chancellor has called on Australia’s leaders to stop wasting time and squandering opportunities to make change.

High-profile businesswoman and QUT alumni Ann Sherry AO, who was officially installed as the university’s sixth chancellor on Wednesday. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The new chancellor of one of the country’s most prestigious universities has called on Queensland’s leaders to stop resting on their laurels, or step aside.

Ann Sherry – a UNICEF Australian chair and former banking executive – was elected as the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) sixth chancellor in May, but was officially installed in the role on Wednesday.

The born and bred Queenslander said she was “not here for the prestige, fancy robes, or flopping hat” that comes with her new job, but rather to make university more accessible and to break down historical barriers such as a person’s race and gender.

“Over the years I have seen many people sitting in very powerful positions, both in the private sector and in government, who enjoy the trappings of their positions but achieve little,” Ms Sherry said.

“What a terrible waste of time and opportunity. If you are not making change, if you’re not creating something that’s different and better as a result of your tenure, I believe you should move over and let someone else have a go.”

A high profile businesswoman, Ms Sherry, 68, was also previously Westpac New Zealand’s chief executive from 2002-2007, Carnival Australia chief executive from 2007-2015, Infrastructure Victoria’s director from 2015-2022, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s director from 2016-2022, and Rugby Australia’s director from 2012-2019.

Governor the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young (left) at the appointment to QUT chancellor of Ann Sherry (right). Picture: Zak Simmonds

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who joined Ms Sherry on stage at Wednesday’s installation ceremony, described the new chancellor as “one of Australia’s leading business women”.

“Her success can be traced in part to the time she spent as a student at QUT – graduating in 1980 with a Diploma in Industrial Relations and Labour,” she said.

“In the early 90s, she served as First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra.”

Ms Sherry, who has a track record of breaking down barriers and improving opportunities for women and Indigenous Australians, said the key word for her appointment would be ‘optimism’.

“The coming Olympic and Paralympic Games have placed us on the global stage for the next 10 years,” she said.

“Many of the athletes who will compete in 2032 are still at school, some of them will come through our doors and we will have the opportunity to nurture and prepare them not only for competition, but for their lives after sport.”

The chancellor believes QUT is shaking up the mainstream university system.

“QUT in particular is already on an exciting trajectory to transform itself with its students and its community,” she said.

“Bringing into the fold people who have not previously been involved in higher education – women in STEM, Indigenous Australians, and people who are the first in their communities to attend university.”

Queensland University of Technology alumni Ann Sherry, AO, has been appointed as the university’s sixth Chancellor. Picture: Zak Simmonds

She said only two per cent of Australians held a university qualification in 1971, and most of those were men. By 1991, this had only improved to eight per cent.

“My mother was one of the few women graduates of that time, even though she was just as qualified as my father – they were both pharmacists. She was very much the exception in her day,” Ms Sherry said.

Today, women aged between 25-44 are now more likely – 51 per cent to be exact – to have a university qualification than not. Fifty years ago, this was one per cent.

“I’m optimistic we can make the university experience in Australia truly universally available to all, and not restricted in any way by the factors that have screened out talent in the past – irrelevant things like race, gender, economic status, religion, disability or parentage,” Ms Sherry said.

Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young said Ms Sherry brought a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors.
“(She has) an absolutely formidable track record, particularly in removing barriers and improving opportunities for women and Indigenous Australians,” she said.