{"id":196,"date":"2020-02-05T02:25:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-05T02:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/?page_id=196"},"modified":"2026-04-16T16:46:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:46:49","slug":"wait-chairs-curtin-chancellors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/history-facts\/past-leaders\/wait-chairs-curtin-chancellors\/","title":{"rendered":"WAIT Chairs and Curtin Chancellors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As head of WAIT and Curtin\u2019s governing bodies, these esteemed individuals have helped shape the direction of the developing institution. Many are remembered through the naming of buildings and campus facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

\n
\"Dr<\/div>

Dr Thomas (Blue) Robertson<\/h3><\/div>

WAIT Chair 1967\u20131969<\/p>

WAIT came about thanks to the vision and efforts of four key figures in Western Australia\u2019s post-war educational scene, including the WA Director of Education, Dr Thomas Logan Robertson.<\/p><\/div>

  • More about Thomas<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
    \"Dr<\/div>

    Dr Roy Halliday Henderson<\/h3><\/div>

    WAIT Chair 1969\u20131976<\/p>

    Dr Roy Henderson made a significant contribution to the demanding and important early days of WAIT as a member of its Interim Council, chosen for his experience in the business sector.<\/p><\/div>

    • More about Roy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
      \"Hon<\/div>

      Hon Justice Alan Barblett AO<\/h3><\/div>

      WAIT Chair 1976\u20131985<\/p>

      A practising lawyer who held many senior positions in the legal sector, the Hon Justice Alan Barblett joined the WAIT Council as a legal adviser before becoming its Chair in 1976.<\/p><\/div>

      • More about Alan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
        \"Hon<\/div>

        Hon Justice Peter Brinsden AM QC<\/h3><\/div>

        WAIT Chair 1985\u20131986
        \nCurtin Chancellor 1987\u20131990<\/p>

        A Queens Counsel and President of the Law Council of Western Australia, the Hon Peter Brinsden was well known in state and national legal circles.<\/p><\/div>

        • More about Peter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
          \"Dr<\/div>

          Dr Harry Sorensen AO OBE CitWA<\/h3><\/div>

          Curtin Chancellor 1990\u20131996<\/p>

          Dr Harry Sorensen helped to champion the spirit of volunteering at Curtin, helping to enrich the student experience and expand the University\u2019s community contributions.<\/p><\/div>

          • More about Harry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
            \"Dr<\/div>

            Dr Charles (Harry) Perkins AO CitWA<\/h3><\/div>

            Curtin Chancellor 1996\u20132002<\/p>

            As Chancellor Dr Harry Perkins strongly supported international education and Curtin\u2019s move to establish its first overseas campus in Sarawak, Malaysia.<\/p><\/div>

            • More about Harry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
              \"Dr<\/div>

              Dr Eric Tan AM CitWA<\/h3><\/div>

              Curtin Chancellor 2003\u20132006<\/p>

              As Chancellor, Dr Eric Tan helped to build Curtin\u2019s deep relationships in Malaysia, Indonesia and China.<\/p><\/div>

              • More about Eric<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
                \"Dr<\/div>

                Dr William (Gordon) Martin<\/h3><\/div>

                Curtin Chancellor 2006\u20132009<\/p>

                A prominent businessman with a background in the chemical and resources industry, Dr Gordon Martin further enhanced Curtin\u2019s engagement with industry, particularly in science and engineering, with the collaborative Resources and Chemistry Precinct developed on Curtin\u2019s Perth campus during this time.<\/p><\/div>

                • More about Gordon<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
                  \"Dr<\/div>

                  Dr James (Jim) Gill AO<\/h3><\/div>

                  Curtin Chancellor 2010\u20132012<\/p>

                  As Curtin Chancellor, Dr Jim Gill supported several major initiatives to progress the University\u2019s reputation and impact, chairing the initial steering committee for the Greater Curtin project, with its aims of transforming the Perth campus into a major urban hub for innovation and collaboration.<\/p><\/div>

                  • More about James<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
                    \"Dr<\/div>

                    Dr Colin Beckett<\/h3><\/div>

                    Curtin Chancellor 2013\u20132018<\/p>

                    As Chancellor, Dr Colin Beckett helped steer the expansion of Curtin\u2019s presence and industry connections in the Perth CBD and embraced the University\u2019s global expansion with the establishment of new campuses in Dubai and Mauritius.<\/p><\/div>

                    • More about Colin<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
                      \"Andrew<\/div>

                      Dr Andy Crane<\/h3><\/div>

                      Curtin Chancellor 2019\u20132024<\/p>

                      The former CEO of Australia\u2019s largest grain exporter, CBH, Dr Andy Crane brings to Curtin significant experience in areas well aligned to Curtin\u2019s future needs and aims: sustaining growth in complex environments, embracing the opportunities afforded by both technology and globalisation, and maintaining a strong sense of values-led organisational integrity.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

                      \"Vanessa<\/div>

                      Dr Vanessa Guthrie AO<\/h3><\/div>

                      Curtin Chancellor 2024\u20132026<\/p>

                      Dr Vanessa Guthrie served on Curtin\u2019s governing body, University Council, from 1 April 2017 \u2013 and was appointed as Pro-Chancellor from 1 April 2020, then as Chancellor from 1 April 2024. Dr Guthrie is a highly accomplished executive and Non-Executive Director with broad and strategic experience across a portfolio of Board positions.<\/p><\/div>

                      • More about Vanessa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/mimas-block>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n
                        \n
                        \"David<\/div>

                        Mr David Lock<\/h3><\/div>

                        Curtin Chancellor 2026 – present<\/p>

                        Mr Lock is an experienced company director with a career spanning Australia\u2019s agribusiness, infrastructure and education sectors. He has served as Chair of Curtin\u2019s Faculty of Business and Law Advisory Council since 2021 and brings a strong focus on governance, strategy and organisational leadership.<\/p><\/div>

                        • More about David<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
                          <\/div>
                          <\/div><\/div>
                          <\/div>
                          <\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/mimas-block>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                          As head of WAIT and Curtin\u2019s governing bodies, these esteemed individuals have helped shape the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":194,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-196","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"support_toggle":false,"page_components":[{"acf_fc_layout":"modals","modals":[{"id":"jim-gill","title":"More about Jim Gill","content":"

                          An eminent civil engineer and organisational leader, Dr Jim Gill was Western Australia\u2019s Commissioner of Railways before becoming Chief Executive Officer of the WA Water Corporation. \u00a0As Curtin Chancellor, he supported several major initiatives to progress the University\u2019s reputation and impact, chairing the initial steering committee for the Greater Curtin project, with its aims of transforming the Perth campus into a major urban hub for innovation and collaboration. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin in 2014.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"harry-sorensen","title":"More about Harry Sorensen","content":"

                          Dr Harry Sorensen was an eminent Western Australian businessman, accountant and community leader. As well as being the managing director of the Challenge Bank, he was involved in many community and volunteer ventures and was honoured as a Western Australian Citizen of the Year and an Officer of the Order of Australia. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin in 1997.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"eric-tan","title":"More about Eric Tan","content":"

                          A medical specialist well known in Western Australia in medical, business, science, technology and community spheres, Dr Eric Tan was a keen promoter of multiculturalism in Australia and was interested in forging closer ties between Australia and Asia. He was named a John Curtin Medallist in 1998 in recognition of his medical and social achievements and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Curtin in 1996.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"gordon-martin","title":"More about Gordon Martin","content":"

                          Dr William (Gordon) Martin was a prominent businessman with a background in the chemical and resources industry (including his long-term role as Executive Chairman of Coogee Chemicals). He also championed a number of other key University initiatives:\u00a0 the opening of Curtin\u2019s second overseas campus in Singapore; the push to develop a medical school; and the development of a stronger philanthropic culture. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin in 2010.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"peter-brinsden","title":"More about Peter Brinsden","content":"

                          He served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 1976 to 1990. In his role as Chair and then Chancellor, he oversaw WAIT\u2019s transition to Curtin University of Technology. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin in 1997.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"colin-beckett","title":"More about Colin Beckett","content":"

                          An experienced global oil and gas senior executive, Dr Colin Beckett\u2019s relationship with Curtin began in 2009 as a Member of the Faculty of Business and Law Advisory Council prior to him joining the University Council. He also oversaw significant progress on the University\u2019s planning for Greater Curtin. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of the University by Curtin in 2019.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"alan-barblett","title":"More about Alan Barblett","content":"

                          A gifted sportsman \u2013 he was a member of Australia\u2019s 1956 Olympic hockey team \u2013 he played a key role in attracting the state hockey stadium to the WAIT campus. The naming of Barblett Oval near the Kent Street entrance to the Perth Campus recognised both his outstanding contribution to WAIT and his participation in, and support of, hockey in Western Australia. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by WAIT in 1985.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"roy-henderson","title":"More about Roy Henderson","content":"

                          Dr Roy Henderson became Chairman of the full Council following the sudden passing of Dr Robertson and proved a popular and effective Chair, known for his good humour, willingness to hear all viewpoints and his skills in achieving consensus. After serving two terms, his contribution was recognised when he received the first Honorary Doctor of Technology conferred by WAIT in 1976, and a central interior courtyard of the Perth campus near the Robertson Library was named after him.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"harry-perkins","title":"More about Harry Perkins","content":"

                          Dr Harry Perkins was a much-admired Western Australian businessman, philanthropist and long-term Chair of Wesfarmers, who was deeply interested in higher education and research. His Chancellorship was cut short by his untimely death in 2002. Dr Perkins was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001 for his services to primary industry, tertiary education and the community and Curtin posthumously awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology in 2002.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"thomas-robertson","title":"More about Thomas Robertson","content":"

                          Dr Thomas Robertson was an educational visionary who had the foresight to buy up the land in Bentley where WAIT would eventually be built and he secured critical political support for WAIT\u2019s development. Dr Robertson chaired the Interim Council of the newly formed Institute and had been chairman of the full WAIT Council for only a few months when he died suddenly in 1969. In recognition of his enormous contribution to WAIT, the Institute\u2019s large new library (which opened in 1971) was named after him.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"vanessa-guthrie","title":"More about Vanessa Guthrie","content":"

                          Dr Guthrie is a Non-Executive Director of Santos Limited, Lynas Rare Earths Limited and Orica; Deputy Chair of Cricket Australia; and Chair of FITE Brain Cancer. Effective 1 December 2025 Dr Guthrie is a Non-Executive Director of IGO Limited, and from 1 January 2026 incoming Chair of the Board.<\/p>\n

                          Dr Guthrie has substantial experience in the mining industry in diverse roles including operations, environment, community, indigenous affairs, corporate development and sustainability. She was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2021 for her contribution to sustainability in the mining industry and as a role model for women in business. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM).<\/p>\n

                          Dr Guthrie has qualifications in geology, environment, law and business management, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Geology and an Honorary Doctor of Science from Curtin University.<\/p>\n"},{"id":"david-lock","title":"More about David Lock","content":"

                          Mr Lock is currently a director of CBH Group, Harvest Road Group and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has previously served on the boards of Water Corporation, Interflour Holdings Group (Singapore) and the Marine Stewardship Council (London). Mr Lock is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.<\/p>\n

                          Mr Lock has held senior executive roles as CEO and Managing Director and is recognised for his work in leadership, governance and business transformation. His professional contributions have been acknowledged through national awards, including NAB Agribusiness Leader of the Year and Australian Export Hero.<\/p>\n"}]}],"controls":{"page_switch_toggle":false,"support_toggle":false,"breadcrumb_toggle":true,"navi_toggle":true,"section_nav_toggle":true,"alternate_font_toggle":false}},"featured_image":false,"author_meta":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=196"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37628,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/196\/revisions\/37628"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}