School of Law - 20th Anniversary Dinner
On 18 February 2012 the Deakin Law School celebrated its 20 year anniversary with a dinner at the Waterfront campus. The Deakin Law School was opened in 1992 by then Chief Justice of the High Court, Sir Anthony Mason. It was, therefore, appropriate that our guest of honour and keynote speaker at the dinner was the current Chief Justice of the High Court, the Hon Robert French AC. Chief Justice French has had a long association with the School, including attending our 10 year anniversary and delivering one of the first Deakin Law School Orations. Justice French spoke highly of the unique features of the Deakin Law Program and its achievements in the 20 years since formation. A copy of his Honours speech can be viewed here.
The celebrations were hosted by the retiring Head of the Deakin Law School, Professor Anne Rees and were formally opened by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law), Professor Gael McDonald. The dinner was also attended by the Chancellor, Mr David Morgan, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander, all four current and former Heads of the Deakin Law School and more than 100 student and staff alumni, current staff and advisory board members.
In addition to our keynote speaker, guests were treated to reflections from three Deakin alumni, who each told a unique story about their experiences in the Deakin Law Program.
- Mr Paul Sokolowski spoke of his time as a mature aged student in the early days the program at the Burwood campus. Paul was awarded the Supreme Court Prize and is now a member of the School of Law Advisory Board and a Partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler specialising in tax.
- Ms Diana Taylor spoke of her experiences as a student in the early days at the Waurn Ponds campus. Diana is currently the Executive Director/General Manager Commercial Development for the CT Management Group and is a Director of the Geelong Football Club.
- Mr Ryan Saundry, also a Deakin University Supreme Court Prize winner and recipient of an Alfred Deakin University medal, provided guests with perspectives of a recent Burwood student in our significantly expanded law program. Ryan is currently a lawyer with the Mergers and Acquisitions team at Allens Arthur Robinson.
We were also very fortunate to have the Foundation Head of the Deakin School of Law, Emeritus Professor Philip Clarke, speak about the history and development of the law program and its relevance to the Australian Government's higher education agenda. A copy of Professor Clarke's speech can be viewed here.
The event was formally closed by Vice-Chancellor who toasted Deakin University and the School of Law.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a wonderful evening; in particular, the Law School's 20th Anniversary Committee.
We look forward to the next 20 years!
