The Group of Eight Universities sincerely congratulates Professor Margaret Gardner AC on her appointment as the 30th Governor of Victoria.
The former Go8 Chair and current Monash University Vice Chancellor has played an integral role in public policy broadly and in shaping and nurturing Australia’s higher education sector over many decades, influencing the lives of millions around the globe.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said, “Australian universities’ loss will be a major gain for the people of Victoria.”
Ms Thomson who has worked alongside Professor Gardner in the higher education for close to two decades described her as “a person of the utmost integrity and intellect, with a sincere commitment to Australia and its people.”
Professor Gardner is Australia’s longest serving and most experienced Vice Chancellor.
“While the people of Victoria are extremely fortunate, Professor Gardner will be profoundly missed by Australia’s university sector,” said Ms Thomson. “She is frank and fearless in her advice in the interests of ensuring good public policy outcomes for our research and higher education sector.
“Professor Gardner has been a driving force behind excellence in Australian higher education as well as the international mission of the sector in representing the nation through global partnerships in education and research endeavours.
“Her broad range of skills, depth of experience and dedication to the Australian people was evident during the COVID pandemic when, as Chair of the Go8, she expertly guided the Go8 through significant challenges and played a key role in the development of policy to support the broader university sector.
“In a short time, Professor Gardner has already made a huge contribution to the Universities Accord process. Her commitment to the role of research and education and as a means of improving the lives of all Australians is unquestionable.
“There’s no doubt Professor Gardner will bring that same level of dedication and expertise to the role of Governor of Victoria. It is an outstanding appointment,” said Ms Thomson.