Chancellor's end-of-year message

Catherine Branson portrait

Dear Colleagues

I am writing to express my gratitude to all staff for their dedication, vision and extraordinary efforts during 2024. These efforts have seen the University continue to shine on the world stage at a time of historic change.

Much has been asked of you in 2024 and you have responded admirably.  While continuing to deliver your best for the University of Adelaide, you have also adjusted and adapted to the future focus of Adelaide University. I wish you to know that your consistent, disciplined and positive approach has been noted with appreciation by your Council, including, of course, by me.

The past year has been one during which we reflected on, and celebrated, 150 years of impressive achievements. A magnificent program of events, designed to give all members of our community an opportunity to participate, marked this important anniversary. Truly memorable 150th events included our inaugural Kaurna Day, the Waite 100 Gala, Women in the House, and the Gala Ball. I thank all who designed and directed this program and all who joined in to ensure the success of the celebrations.

I was honoured this year to have been reappointed by Council as your Chancellor for a third two-year term. This means that, as the University’s 17th Chancellor, I will almost certainly be its last. I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to serve this fine institution at this critical time in its history.

I am deeply indebted to the University for having afforded me, then a young woman from country South Australia, educational opportunities that opened for me life opportunities I could then barely have dreamed of. I commend you all for your ongoing commitment to ensuring that our students today receive educations that enable them to live full and meaningful lives and empower them to serve their communities wherever those communities may be.

In 2025, I will continue to work with my colleagues on Council to protect our values, our people, our students and our goals as we move towards the successful establishment, and opening, of the new Adelaide University.

I recognise that the year ahead will be another year in which much will be asked of you. It will be demanding but I trust also invigorating and rewarding. We will work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our University of Adelaide students, staff and stakeholders, while at the same time working with colleagues to open the doors to Adelaide University on the first of January 2026.

Thank you all, again, for your remarkable contributions throughout our University’s 150th year. I wish you all a safe, fun and restorative break.

The Hon. Catherine Branson AC SC 
Chancellor 

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