Chancellor awarded one of the nation's highest honours

June 12, 2007

The Chancellor of the University of New England, Mr John Cassidy, has been given one of Australia's highest honours: he has been named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

The 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours List, issued by the office of the Governor General in Canberra, says Mr Cassidy's award is "for services to university administration, to the civil engineering and construction industries, and to the community".

Mr Cassidy (pictured here) was elected Chancellor of UNE in December, 2003, bringing to that role considerable expertise in corporate governance and management. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abigroup Limited in February 2004 after turning the small, struggling business with 120 employees into one of Australia's leading construction companies, employing more than 3,000 people.

He regards the success of Abigroup as one of his major achievements, attributing it to the sense of belonging to a "family" that he was able to cultivate among the employees. "Those 'family values' are still there today," Mr Cassidy said. "The people I trained are still running the business, which is now turning over some $2 billion per year."

This family orientation reflects Mr Cassidy's approach to life and work in general: his happy marriage of 40 years, he said, had been a major factor in his success. "You can't do it without support," he explained, "and my wife Annette has been a great support to me. She should be getting half of this award."

"UNE is a wonderful institution," Mr Cassidy said. As Chancellor, he has worked to build on UNE's traditional strengths, including its reputation as a leader in agricultural research. "Those strengths need to be reinforced," he said. He added that, if this process of "revitalisation" could be informed by the "family" values he had shown to be successful elsewhere, it could benefit not only the University itself but the wider community in which UNE plays such a prominent role.

Since becoming Chairman of the New England Girls' School (NEGS) last year and rescuing the school from financial difficulties, he has overseen the reintroduction of a feeling of "family" among staff and students. "NEGS will now go on from strength to strength," he said.

As Foundation Chairman of the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM), he worked to realise his vision – now a reality – of the Conservatorium as a vital part of the New England community.

The official announcement of Mr Cassidy's award mentions – among other things – his role as founder and director of several companies, and his status as a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and Life-Governor of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Mr Cassidy, who owns successful sheep and cattle properties at Kingstown and Ebor in New England, was President of the South Devon Cattle Breeders' Association from 1992 to 1994, and is current Vice-President of the South Devon Cattle World Congress (Canada, 2007).

He said the contacts he has made – in all walks of life – and the support he has received throughout his full and varied career have all played a part in the achievements that have led to his being named an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at June 12, 2007 05:30 PM