Chancellor's farewell after more than a decade

Belinda Hutchinson AC is disarmingly frank about the moment she was asked to consider standing for election as the University’s 18th Chancellor more than a decade ago.

“I thought the caller had the wrong number at first!” she recalled of the approach, which came almost exactly 40 years after she started the Economics degree that paved the way for her successful career across some of Australia’s best known companies and organisations.

“I then, however, realised that the University was a large and complex organisation, like many of the companies and not-for-profit institutions I had served on the boards of. And that it doesn’t matter whether you’re running a company, a government or a university – strong leadership commitment, vision and strategy is essential. So, ultimately, it was an irresistible opportunity to draw on everything I had learned during my career to help benefit my alma mater.

“The work of this place really does make a difference. Excellent education and world-class research are both critical to modern society being able to meet the challenges of our time.”

As she approaches the end of her tenure, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott AO described Ms Hutchinson as one of the most significant chancellors in the University’s long history.

“Belinda’s vision, hard work and clear focus have been key to our success, making us financially strong and setting us up to become one of the best-governed and most successful universities in Australia,” he said.

Under Ms Hutchinson’s leadership, the campus has been transformed over the past decade, with major new buildings enabling innovative approaches to multidisciplinary research and cutting-edge teaching.

“But Belinda’s contribution as Chancellor goes well beyond our campuses. Innovation and collaboration often occur at the crossroads where universities, industry and communities connect, and we have benefited significantly from Belinda’s knowledge, insights and networks in helping us to strengthen those connections time and time again,” Professor Scott said.

“We have been immensely lucky to have had her as our Chancellor for more than a decade. She has generously donated her time to the University for more than 11 years without remuneration, and Belinda and her family have also been generous donors.”

Ms Hutchinson described the role as a highlight of her distinguished career.

“It is the most challenging but rewarding role I have had,” she said.

“There are not too many jobs where you get to work with people who are changing the world. It has been an honour to showcase the work of our academic community on the national and international stage – for example, by raising awareness of how Sydney academics played leading roles in responding to the COVID pandemic, or how their work is leading to global improvements in treatment of cancers, such as melanoma, youth mental health and chronic diseases, or how they are developing quantum computers and new technologies for a lower-carbon future.”

Some of Ms Hutchinson’s most enduring memories are of meeting students who are about to begin their University career, or as they cross the stage in the Great Hall to receive their testamur.

“At each graduation ceremony, when I hand a new graduate their degree, it reminds me why I love the job: each graduate is equipped with the knowledge, skills and potential to change the world.

“I often say that my degree from Sydney was the passport to the rest of my life, and enabled me to build a truly fulfilling career and lifelong friendships.

“So I often encourage our students and alumni to keep cultivating the connections they formed at the University. The mentors, peers and friends you meet here can open doors and inspire collaborations long into the future, and help you to achieve great things for you and the communities we serve.”

As the daughter of a first-in-family graduate of Sydney who set up his own small business, Ms Hutchinson is particularly proud of work underway to broaden access to the University under the current Sydney in 2032 Strategy.

“Scholarship programs like MySydney are a daily reminder of the profound difference education can make,” she says.

“And our community of philanthropic donors have made many of these scholarships possible – literally changing these students’ lives and enabling new research that improves our world.”

Over the past decade, Ms Hutchinson, also a former president of Chief Executive Women, has placed significant emphasis on improving gender equity as part of a broader program of cultural change.

“The University of Sydney is a very different place to where I had my first taste of campus life as a student – and different again to when I started as Chancellor.

“While we have more to achieve, we have made significant strides. Today women make up over half of our student community. And by focusing on a series of targeted mentoring, sponsorship and networking programs, women now represent more than half of our senior executive leaders.”

As she prepares to stand down, Ms Hutchinson reminds her fellow alumni that the ability to influence positive change doesn’t just come with high office.

“Always remember that leadership is not just about rank, or status or authority. It’s about empathy and understanding. It’s about responsibility and integrity. It’s about drawing on all your skills and experience to make a positive difference to our future.”

Ms Hutchinson’s term will conclude at the end of June. David Thodey AO, FTSE has been elected as the University of Sydney’s 19th Chancellor and will begin a four-year term on 1 July. He will bring a unique background to the role that demonstrates a commitment to community, science, innovation and public service, as well as extensive leadership and board experience across research and innovation, technology, and telecommunications.