Lifetime of teaching and service to the community rewarded
Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum
Prominent legal academic and equal rights campaigner Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum AO is the recipient of Monash University’s 2012 Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
Over his lifetime, Professor McCallum (BJuris 1970, LLB (Hons) 1972) has built an impeccable reputation based on exceptional contributions to human rights, education, research and the community.
Professor McCallum began his career in 1974 at Monash in the Faculty of Law where he worked until 1993. He later became the first blind person to become a full professor, in any discipline, at an Australian university.
“One of the highlights of my life is receiving this award, but when we talk about lifetime achievement I hope it’s not over… I think there’s a bit more of life to come. But I’m very pleased to receive it,” Professor McCallum said.
As a teacher Professor McCallum is credited for inspiring many of his students to pursue distinguished careers in the field of law both in Australia and overseas.
“I love teaching. I have now taught for 40 years,” Professor McCallum said.
“I first tutored in company law in the economics faculty at Monash before I went to grad school. I loved the interaction with students; the argumentation; seeing young minds stretched.
“I think the influence that we teachers have on the young women and men before us lasts for their lifetime.”
Professor McCallum is currently the Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Chair of Radio for the Print Handicapped of New South Wales Co-operative. He is also one of two Deputy Chairs of Vision Australia and in 2008 was appointed as a member of the Federal Government’s National People with Disabilities and Carers Council.
In 2006 Professor McCallum was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for his services to tertiary education, for industrial relations advice to governments, for assistance to visually impaired persons and for social justice.
The Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award is open to all Monash graduates who, over the course of a lifetime, have built an impeccable reputation based on an exceptional contribution to their field of endeavour and the community; and have an impressive ability to inspire others to strive for excellence.
Part of the Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards, the Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award has been awarded since 2010 - the previous recipients were John Bertrand AM (BE(Hons) 1970) and Naomi Milgrom AO (BA 1973).
Recipients of the 2012 Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards are:
Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Emeritus Ronald McCallum AO (BJuris 1970, LLB(Hons) 1972) - Legal academic, expert in labour law and equal rights campaigner
Distinguished Alumni Professional Achievement Award
Ms Cathie Reid (BPharm 1991)
APHS Packaging CEO and APHS Pharmacy Group Co-Owner
Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Ms Sue Renkin (MBA 1995)
Non-executive director, executive coach and mentor
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Dr Sam Prince (MBBS 2006)
Entrepreneur, medical doctor and philanthropist
Alumni Student Award
Mr Kiran Iyer
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws student
The recipients will be officially presented with their awards at a gala ceremony at the Plaza Ballroom at Melbourne’s iconic Regent Theatre.