Professor Ngiare Brown named as JCU’s next chancellor

James Cook University’s Chancellor Bill Tweddell is set to stand down and hand over the reins after seven years of service to the tertiary institution. Here’s who’ll be taking over.

Professor Ngiare​ Brown is the incoming chancellor for JCU.

The first woman, and first Indigenous person, to be named as James Cook University’s Chancellor said she has ‘big shoes to fill’ as she prepares to take over from retiring chancellor Bill Tweddell.

Professor Ngiare Brown, a Yuin woman from the south coast of New South Wales, was named to the role on Wednesday night, and will be based out of the Cairns campus.

Professor Brown graduated from Newcastle University in 1992, then JCU with a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in 2000.

She was also named as an outstanding alumni of JCU in 2012.

Her predecessor, Bill Tweddell, named gender diversity, Indigenous representation and mental health awareness as three key initiatives he was proud to have championed during his seven year tenure.

Prof Ngiare Brown (back row, in red) at the 2012 JCU Outstanding Alumni Awards Breakfast at Southbank.

Professor Brown said they were areas she was keen to advance.

“I very much support those particular issues and I don’t see any reason why I would want to diverge from those particular priorities,” Professor Brown said.

“Hopefully I can help enhance the work that the institution is doing around those areas. I think there are fantastic opportunities to build upon what the institution and the people there have already achieved.”

Professor Brown is the founding director of Ngaoara, a not-for-profit that works to better child and adolescent wellbeing, and is the chair of the National Mental Health commission.

The professor said her hope was that JCU could be considered a national or international voice in areas of local interest, something she believed it was already achieving in some issues.

“Marine conservation, marine research and environmental protection and many of those matters related to sustainable management and climate change are all incredibly important,” she said.

“With that work, my thought is how do we enhance that and how do we promote that? How do we ensure it’s an institution of choice for those particular issues and disciplines? I think we have some of the most extraordinary opportunities available to us in our pacific region.”

Professor Brown said she also saw JCU as a potential salve for some of the workforce strain the health sector is undergoing.

“JCU does really well in nursing, I’d really like to see us reinvigorate some of our mental health training opportunities, particularly in say psychology.

“We have a national shortage in those areas, so the potential contribution to the workforce is exceptional.”

Professor Brown said being the first Indigenous and first female chancellor in the organisation’s history was a tall task, but that she ‘loves a challenge’.

“We are well placed within a region that has a significant proportion of the population that are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and we have some incredible talent, smart people, potential experience, relationships and connections.

“Whether we talk about policy, or resourcing, or workforce, the responsibility of an institution is to serve their community.”

EARLIER

James Cook University’s Chancellor Bill Tweddell is set to stand down and hand over the reins after seven years of service to the tertiary institution.

Mr Tweddell will be replaced in the role by Professor Ngiare Brown, a Yuin woman from the south coast of New South Wales.

Retiring chancellor Bill Tweddell.

Professor Brown, who graduated from JCU with a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in 2000, will take over the role in April after being elected to the role by the University Council yesterday.

“I’m a proud JCU alumna and I’m honoured to be elected as its Chancellor,” Professor Brown said.

“I am thrilled by the opportunity and excited to commit myself to new challenges. I see a great many opportunities to build on the University’s strengths and successes, and to extend its impact in our region and far beyond.

“I hope to be able to leverage my experiences in Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous affairs, health, education and politics in service of JCU’s core business in research and education.”

Mr Tweddell, who has served the university through his seven year term from Townsville, said he was proud to be replaced by another alumni.

“As a JCU graduate myself, I’m proud to be handing over the reins to a distinguished alumna,” Mr Tweddell said.

Ms Brown, who is the sixth JCU chancellor, will be the first Indigenous person, and first woman elected to the role.

Deputy Chancellor Jayne Arlett, who was responsible for chairing the committee that sought nominees for the role, said Professor Brown had a ‘distinguished career’.

“In addition, Professor Brown brings to the role a warm and engaging personality, a strong sense of social justice, and an understanding of regional areas including Northern Australia and the Tropics,” Ms Arlett said.

“She has an impressive research record, as well as a wealth of knowledge of, and passion for, the university sector.”

Professor Brown’s term will begin on April 24 and she will operate from the Cairns campus.

Originally published as Professor Ngiare Brown named as JCU’s next chancellor