Deakin University awards cycling great Cadel Evans honorary doctorate

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO announced the honour at the Deakin University David Parkin Oration for Sport and Social Change, which was a conversation between Evans and renowned sports broadcaster and writer Gerard Whateley.

In accepting the honour, Evans, Australia’s only Tour de France winner, said he never dreamed cycling would take him anywhere close to the achievement of Doctor.

A full house at Federation Square was then treated to a fireside chat between Evans and Whateley at Deakin's seventh Oration, named after David Parkin OAM - a well-loved sports commentator who captained Hawthorn to their second premiership in 1971 and coached them to a flag in 1978.

Welcoming Cadel, Whateley described Cadel as a household name and one of few great Australians recognised by just their first name.

Australia’s only Tour de France winner then delighted the audience with stories of his "calling" to cycling at a young age, finding the only book on cycling in the school library in 1965, the lessons from losses, the responsibility that comes with the wins, life after cycling and being a father.

"I really had no idea how far two wheels could take me," Evans said. "I never thought cycling would take me that far, especially to Doctor and (as a teenager) I didn't tell people my dreams, because everyone said I was foolish. But I did say (to myself), what will it take?"

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said Cadel was awarded the honorary doctorate for promoting equity in sport through cycling.

"Deakin is passionate about supporting the communities we serve and we know how strong a role sport plays in this, which is why we have been delighted to work in partnership with Cadel Evans and his team by supporting the annual Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race as part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race," Professor den Hollander said.

"And Cadel Evans has long advocated for the potential of sport to enrich us all – physically, emotionally, socially and as a community – while Gerard Whateley's knowledge of all things sport and the value it holds in society is well-renowned."

Professor den Hollander said the annual Oration honoured David Parkin OAM, who passionately believes in the transformative power of sport to drive social change, a principle strongly valued at Deakin.

Parkin also developed Deakin's sport coaching course, the first of its kind in Australia, affirming his commitment to sport and education. Past orators include businesswoman, philanthropist and women’s football advocate Susan Alberti, former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy AM and sports journalist Caroline Wilson.