Media Releases

CENTENARY INSTITUTE CHAIRMAN THE HON. MICHAEL EGAN ELECTED CHANCELLOR OF MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

28 February 2008: Macquarie University Council last night elected the Honourable Michael Egan as the University's new Chancellor, succeeding ABC and ASX Chairman, Mr Maurice Newman AC.

Mr Egan has been a member of the Council since 2006. He is the University's sixth Chancellor since its inception in 1964.

Mr Egan is currently also the Chairman of the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology, Chairman of the Australia Day Council of New South Wales and a Governor of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.

In response to Mr Egan’s appointment, Professor Mathew Vadas, Executive Director of the Centenary Institute said, “This is wonderful news.  On behalf of the Centenary team I want to congratulate him on such a prestigious appointment.  Michael has been instrumental in steering the Centenary into an enthusiastic, growing and cohesive Institute. I am certain that his insight, vision and enthusiasm will also see MacquarieUniversity prosper.

We all look forward to continuing to work with Michael as Chairman of our Board as we move forward with our plans for enlarging the Centenary and making it an even stronger research enterprise.”

Prior to his resignation from Parliament in 2005, Mr Egan was Leader of the Government in the New South Wales Legislative Council. He was NSW Treasurer for a record term (1995-2005) and also held a number of other portfolios, including Minister for State Development and Minister for Energy.

Prior to his election to the Legislative Council in 1986, Mr Egan represented Cronulla in the Legislative Assembly (1978-84) and was Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (1981-84).  

Macquarie Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz said the University was fortunate to have an equally distinguished successor to Mr Newman.

Having worked alongside Mr Newman on Council since 2006, Mr Egan said he felt honoured to be replacing him as Chancellor.

"Mr Newman, in addition to his other important roles as Chairman of the ASX and the ABC, has led Macquarie University with great distinction for the last seven years. The University will always be greatly in his debt," Mr Egan said.

For more information contact:
Erin Sharp, Communications Coordinator, the Centenary Institute
p: 02 9565 6118          m: 0431 029 215         e: