Congratulations to Dr Graeme Blackman on 10 years as Chancellor

The University of Divinity community congratulates Dr Graeme Blackman AO on his tenth anniversary as Chancellor. Graeme was appointed inaugural Chancellor of the University in 2011 and has served in the role since 1 January 2012. Prior to this appointment, Graeme served as a member of the governing body of the Melbourne College of Divinity for 20 years.

Outside of his work at the University, Dr Blackman is renowned for his career and leadership in developing Australia’s overall pharmaceutical and biotech industry.  In January 2017 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, receiving the honour for distinguished service to the pharmaceutical industry, to scientific research and policy development, to theological education and the Anglican Church of Australia, and to aged care. He is currently serving as the President for the Victorian Council of Churches and Chairman of the Board for Leading Age Services Australia.

Dr Blackman is an alumnus of the University, having graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology (Research). He wrote a Master’s thesis entitled “Soteriology and Sacraments in Alexandrian Theology with Particular Reference to Athanasius” in 2006.

In his role as Chancellor, Graeme has presided at over 70 meetings of the University of Divinity Council, has attended 20 graduations, and personally signed the Testamur for some 4,656 students.

To mark the occasion, at its meeting on Wednesday 13 April 2022 the Council formally named the boardroom in Graeme’s honour as the ‘Dr Graeme L Blackman AO Boardroom’.

At the event Dr Blackman responded, “I am deeply honoured to be the Chancellor of this University. The University of Divinity is a worthy institution, and our research output, our contribution to scholarship, and contribution to ecclesiology are all fundamentally important to society. It is a great joy, a great honour, and a great thrill to be Chancellor”.

We thank God for Graeme’s long-standing and outstanding contributions to this institution over more than three decades.