NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO described University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton as one of the jewels of the Illawarra and the Australian academic scene in a glowing tribute when she hosted a reception in his honour.

Professor Bashir hosted the reception at Government House in Sydney on Friday night (11 November) to acknowledge the contribution to higher education in NSW by Professor Sutton, who is retiring at the end of December after almost 17 years as UOW’s Vice-Chancellor.

“No words could do justice to your contribution,” the Governor told Professor Sutton in her welcome to guests.

“There is a great sense of loss and sadness as we farewell Professor Sutton from his wonderful tenure as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wollongong. There are few who have contributed so greatly, yet he has incredible modesty,” she said.

“He is one of the jewels of that glorious place, the Illawarra, of the University of Wollongong and of the academic world in Australia. He has an Order of Australia and many other accolades that speak of his contribution to education in Australia.

“Thank you, on behalf of all the people of NSW and the universities of NSW, and countless thousands of students.”

Professor Bashir , who has had a long and successful career as a medical academic and is currently Chancellor of the University of Sydney, said Professor Sutton’s engineering background had clearly played a role in his success.

“Engineers are the quiet achievers,” she said. “They keep the world running without wanting to be thanked – and that epitomises Professor Sutton.”

Guests at the reception joined the Governor and her husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie, Professor Sutton and his wife Sylvia, their children and grandchildren in the spectacular ballroom at Government House.

They included past and present NSW politicians including NSW Finance Minister and Minister for the Illawarra Greg Pearce, former Premier Nick Greiner, former Treasurer Michael Egan and former Education Minister John Aquilina, UOW Chancellor Jillian Broadbent, senior UOW staff, other university leaders and friends.

The Governor particularly welcomed representatives from the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Canberra. “The University has made an enormous contribution to education in the Emirates and .... is held in very high esteem there,” she said.

Professor Sutton said he was “deeply honoured” that the Governor was hosting the reception.

He reflected on a career spanning more than 40 years in research institutions and universities, saying he had enjoyed every minute.

He paid special tribute to the support he had received from his wife, saying: “I would not have had the success – or the fun – that I have had without Sylvia’s contribution.”

Describing UOW as among a small group of the most important institutions in Australia, Professor Sutton said: “Australia would not be where it is today without the universities and research institutions of this country.”

He said it had been a great privilege to have custodianship and responsibility for UOW for so many years, but that time was coming to an end.

“Universities go on forever, but vice-chancellors don’t,” he added.