John McVeigh announced as new University of Southern Queensland’s Chancellor
A well-known identity with years of political service and a lifetime of dedication to agribusiness and sustainability has been named the University of Southern Queensland’s new Chancellor.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After years of dedication to agribusiness, policymaking and regional development to the Darling Downs, a familiar name has taken up the position of the Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland.
On Tuesday the university announced Dr John McVeigh will take over the role as Chancellor starting from December 1, 2024.
“I’m thrilled to be elected now and am looking forward to taking on the role in December this year and bringing all of my knowledge and experience to work with the council as a team,” he said.
Hardly an unfamiliar name to the region, Dr McVeigh served 12 years in Toowoomba politics, as councillor, state member and finally federal member, before he stepped down in 2020.
Since then he has taken leadership roles in prominent economic organisations such as the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, Regional Economies of Excellence and the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland and Institute of Resilient regions.
He said he had “big shoes to fill” in taking over after the presiding Chancellor John Dornbush who had seen the university grow in the last 10 years.
He never thought he would end up being Chancellor of the university he first graduated from and he was looking forward to growing the resiliency and sustainability of the region, he said.
“It has been the focus of my entire career, both personally as a kid who grew up on a grain farm out here on the Darling Downs, and professionally, academically, and politically for economic development, health and wellbeing, heritage and culture of regional areas,” Dr McVeigh said.
Vice Chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie said it was both a time of reflection and planning for a vision for the university and to consider opportunities, despite the setbacks of the pandemic.
“It’s a time to reset and look at the university as it is now and where we want to be in the next 10 years, because this is a chance for us to think big,” Ms Mackenzie said.
Bright Futures: Young creatives ready to take on the world
Young people who have shown talent, involvement and achievement in a creative arts discipline have received a boost to their burgeoning careers courtesy of Empire Youth Bursaries. Meet eight of them in our profiles here.
Meet Toowoomba’s top high school graduates
Doctors, engineers, digital masters or space explorers – the universe is the limit for these high school graduates. Meet them here:
What turtles can teach us about storms
Turtle rangers have noticed record numbers of sea turtles nesting along Qld’s central coast this season, so we asked experts: What can turtles teach us about storms?
Qld’s tragic record of child heat deaths in cars sparks warnings
New figures reveal the shocking number of lock-in emergencies RACQ has responded to this past year, with Queensland having the highest number of deaths.
150 jobs UniSQ to go with plans for surplus by end of 2025
Staff at the University of Southern Queensland have been told at least 150 of their colleagues will be let go as the organisation works to plug a multi-million dollar budget black hole.
Gallery: Toowoomba Christian College red carpet formal arrivals
The graduates of Toowoomba Christian College made grand entrances on the red carpet to celebrate the end of their school years at the 2024 formal. See all the arrivals in our gallery here.