Welcome
Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor
Rhonda Dixon Grovenor is a Gadigal/Bidgigal/Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. She is the daughter of First Nations activist and advocate, Dr Charles “Chicka” Dixon, who was an MUA union activist.
Aunty Rhonda is an Academic whose Creative Research Masters project focuses on “How to study and work respectfully on Gadigal/Bidgigal land and Principals”, an education module which will be available at the end of 2023. She will then go on to pursue her PhD.
Aunty Rhonda has over 50 years’ experience in the performing arts having received a scholarship to UCLA and she also has experience within the theatre sector as a writer, actor, collaborator and consultant.
Aunty Rhonda is a compassionate advocate in the fields of social and environmental justice and human rights self-determination, decolonisation, self-governance, community strengthening and cultural revitalisation for the future generations.
Aunty Rhonda is a Cultural Storyteller.
Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA FRAHS FASSA FRSN
Stephen became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 2000 and was elected the Academy’s 20th President in November 2023.
An eminent historian, Stephen’s research expertise is in Australian history. He has also published in the fields of American and British History. His major books provide thought provoking insights into the history of medicine, particularly psychiatry, social welfare, war veterans and the aftermath of war, sexuality and the history of higher education.
Stephen has also had a long career in university administration, serving as Dean of Arts, Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and also as interim Vice-Chancellor, at the University of Sydney. In 2020, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary education administration and to history.
Stephen is a member of the Academy’s History section and has previously served on the Academy’s Council.
Welcome from our Principal Sponsor
Professor Andrew Parfitt FTSE FRSN FIEAust
Professor Andrew Parfitt joined UTS in 2017 as the university’s Provost and Senior Vice-President before being appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2021.
Previously, Andrew was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Newcastle. He has also held senior leadership roles at the University of South Australia and the CSIRO.
Andrew has a distinguished career as an educator and researcher in telecommunications engineering, specialising in antennas and radio systems and has made contributions to satellite communications, radio astronomy technologies and space engineering.
Andrew is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering, of Engineers Australia, and of the Royal Society of NSW. He is also a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has previously held adjunct academic appointments at Adelaide, Sydney and Macquarie Universities.
Andrew is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has served on a range of boards and committees, including most recently as Chair of the Universities Admissions Centre in NSW.
Andrew holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Adelaide.
Welcome from our Convenor
Distinguished Professor Peter McNeil FAHA
Distinguished Professor Peter McNeil FAHA works across fields and topics including art and design history, fashion studies, material culture and the decorative arts. He investigates English, French and Australian topics from the 18th century to the present day, often with a focus on overlooked aspects of visual culture such as interior and fashion design. He is descended from English, Irish, Scottish, Bavarian and Austrian convicts, an utopian socialist, a bushranger, an atheist, and free settlers. He lives and works on Gadigal, Dharug and Gundungurra country.
Peter is former and current Interim Section Head for ‘The Arts’; Past President, AAANZ, representing Art History in this region, and he is Co-Editor with Dr Valerie Steele of the leading journal in its field, Fashion Theory.
