University of Western Australia vice chancellor Professor Alan Robson and Azure Capital founding managing director Mark Barnaba were among the winners announced at the WA Citizen of the Year Awards over the weekend.
University of Western Australia vice chancellor Professor Alan Robson and Azure Capital founding managing director Mark Barnaba were among the winners announced at the WA Citizen of the Year Awards over the weekend.
Prof. Robson won The Professions Award category, Mr Barnaba the Industry and Commerce Award, while Clontarf Foundation chairman Ross Kelly took out the Community Service Award.
Other finalists for the Professions category included Supreme Court of WA Judge Honourable Christopher Styler QC and Curtin University vice chancellor Jeanette Hacket.
Mr Barnaba was recognised ahead of the 2009 Australian of the Year for WA Dr Penelope Flett, while Mr Kelly beat, among others, long time Developmental Disability Council of WA chief executive officer Suzanne Harris.
Profiles of the winners from the Celebrate WA website follow below:
Professor Alan Robson AM - The Professions Award
Professor Alan Robson was appointed Vice Chancellor of UWA in 2004, following ten years service as Deputy Vice Chancellor. He has worked tirelessly to implement new strategic directions and build a global reputation for UWA as one of Australia's leading research institutes and best comprehensive universities. He achieved high standing in teaching, research and administration within Australia and brought an increased emphasis on the leadership of a Vice Chancellor in the development of international and domestic strategic alliances with State and Federal Governments. He is a supportive mentor to UWA students, staff-members and academics. Prof Robson is an energetic advocate on behalf of the university system, which has carved him an international standing in this field, as well as being a passionate supporter for research in Western Australian, especially in the field of medicine.
Ross Kelly AM - Community Service Award
Mr Ross Kelly's professional career was as Operations Director of PA Management Consultants, but his passion from a young age is football. It is through the Clontaf Foundation that Mr Kelly has combined his business prowess with his enthusiasm for football to help lead young Indigenous men to realise their potential and take hold of their life direction. Mr Kelly has been the Chairman of the Clontarf Foundation since 1999 and in these years has been instrumental in the expediential growth in numbers that the Foundation has seen. He has also served the Fremantle Football Club and the Western Australian Football Commission Board. Mr Kelly's lifelong voluntary commitment to the well being of young Western Australians is best known through his contribution to football. Although it is the innovative and unique programme delivery through Clontarf which has displayed his contribution to young people's life skills and personal development leading to their overall wellbeing.
Mark Barnaba - Industry and Commerce Award
Mark Barnaba has skilfully juggled a career as one of Western Australia's most successful businessmen with outstanding contribution to education, sport and community. After graduating from Harvard, in the top 2% of his class, he spent 10 years overseas in investment banking and management consulting in the US, Europe and South Africa. Upon his return to Perth Mr Barnada launched his exceptional business career which has built him the reputation as one of the top Corporate Advisors. He is currently the founding Managing Director and Co-Executive Chairman of Azure Capital, one of the countries most successful and influential financial service boutiques. In addition to a very busy and thriving professional career Mr Barnaba has made a substantial contribution to the broader community. He lends his business acumen to Chairing the West Coast Eagles Football Club, the Business School at UWA and has been a director for Edge Employment Solutions since 2004. Mr Barnaba approaches all he does with his trademark energy, determination and selflessness.
Chief Justice Robert French - Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award
Chief Justice Robert French completed his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law at UWA. In 1972 he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia. This launched an illustrious career which saw Justice French being appointed to the Federal Court under the Hawke government and Chief Justice of the High Court by Prime Minister Rudd. His appointment was historic as he became the first Western Australian Chief Justice of the High court and only the third Western Australian to serve on the bench in its 105 year history. Throughout his career Justice French has carved himself a reputation as a fair-minded judge who has maintained his passion for the development of the law as well as a lawyer of great expertise in constitutional, administrative, native title and competition law. A champion of Indigenous Australian rights, he has remained passionate and outspoken about such issues throughout his career.
