John Cassidy (chancellor)

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John Cassidy

AO
6th Chancellor of the University of New England
In office
2004–2008
Preceded by Pat O'Shane
Succeeded by Richard Torbay
Personal details
Alma mater University of Newcastle
Profession Civil engineer

John Marcus Cassidy AO , an Australian engineer and pastoralist, was the sixth Chancellor of the University of New England, serving from 2004 until 2008. [1]

A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system.

University of New England (Australia) Australian public university

The University of New England (UNE) is a public university in Australia with approximately 22,500 higher education students. Its original and main campus is located in the city of Armidale in northern central New South Wales. UNE was the first Australian university established outside a state capital city.

Biography

Much of Cassidy’s career was in civil engineering. He studied at the University of Newcastle, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil). His career included stints abroad between 1975 and 1985. In the late 1980s, Cassidy became CEO of the construction company Abigroup. Having built and diversified the company, Cassidy retired as CEO of Abigroup in early 2004. In 1982, Cassidy purchased the grazing property Merilba at Kingstown, where he became associated with the breeding of South Devon cattle, as well as other livestock, and more recent times, the growing wine grapes on the property. [2]

Kingstown, New South Wales Town in New South Wales, Australia

Kingstown is a rural village, 40 kilometres (25 mi) north west of Uralla on the Northern Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2006 census, Kingstown had a population of 137 people. It has a public school, church, general store, Landcare Group and New South Wales Rural Fire Service. The main industries are sheep and beef cattle breeding with some timber production.

South Devon cattle cattle breed

South Devon cattle are a breed of British beef cattle. They are the largest of the British native breeds, and are believed to have descended from the large red cattle of Normandy which were imported during the Norman invasion of England. The breed is a rich, medium red with copper tints, though it varies in shade and can even appear slightly mottled. The breed today is predominately used for beef production although it has been milked in the past. The official governing body, The South Devon Herd Book Society was founded in 1891.

Cassidy was appointed chancellor by the University Council on 11 December 2003, and was installed at a graduation ceremony the following March. In 2007, Cassidy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to university administration, to the civil engineering and construction industries, and to the community. [3] He also became involved with other educational institutions, including the New England Conservatorium of Music and the New England Girls School, where in 2006 he underwrote the school’s A$ 4 million debt. [4]

Order of Australia National order of chivalry of the Commonwealth of Australia

The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, to recognise Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or meritorious service. Before the establishment of the order, Australian citizens received British honours.

In 2008, Cassidy became embroiled in a dispute with the university vice-chancellor, Alan Pettigrew over the demarcation of roles between the two offices. In June 2008, the staff passed motions of no confidence in the chancellor. [5] Despite attempts at mediation by Sir Laurence Street, [6] on 10 November 2008, it was announced that Cassidy's appointment as chancellor would not be renewed for a second term, and he was replaced by Richard Torbay. [7] [8]

Laurence Street Australian judge

Commodore Sir Laurence Whistler Street, AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC was an Australian jurist; formerly the fourteenth and second youngest Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales. He was the third consecutive generation of his family to have served New South Wales in these offices; the only such case in Australian history.

Richard Torbay Australian politician

George Richard Torbay, an Australian politician, was an independent member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Northern Tablelands from 1999 to 2013. Torbay was the 30th Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, serving from 2007 until 2011, and was the first independent member to be Speaker of the House since 1913. Prior to his election to State parliament, he served as Mayor of Armidale City Council from 1995 to 1998.

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References

  1. ↑ "Governance". University of New England - Alumni. University of New England Alumni Relations. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  2. ↑ "John Cassidy". Focus Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "CASSIDY John Marcus". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Milburn, Jane. "Making a difference". Milburn Media and Marketing. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  5. ↑ Lane, Bernard (5 June 2008). "Staff have no confidence in UNE chancellor John Cassidy". The Australian . Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  6. ↑ Alexander, Harriet (13 June 2008). "Former judge to advise uni on dispute". Brisbane Times . Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  7. ↑ Lane, Bernard (10 November 2008). "Richard Torbay named new UNE chancellor". The Australian . Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  8. ↑ Hare, Julie; Lane, Beranrd (8 July 2014). "Second UNE chancellor to face corruption watchdog". The Australian . Retrieved 28 February 2015.
Academic offices
Preceded by
Pat O'Shane 		Chancellor of the University of New England
2004 - 2008		Succeeded by
Richard Torbay
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