Prominent educator receives honorary doctorate
L -R: Mr Ian Pyman, Dr Lesley Boston and Dr Alan Finkel
Dr Lesley Boston has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of her work as a leading figure in educational policy, teaching and administration.
Dr Boston is a distinguished figure in educational debate, contributing to local, state and national level discussions through forums such as the International Confederation of Principals.
Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel conferred the Doctor of Laws honoris causa on Dr Boston for her contribution to the education system in Australia.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne commended Dr Boston on her outstanding work in the education sector.
"The honorary doctorate is well deserved by Lesley. Her work has encouraged and improved education throughout Australia and this award highlights the importance of education and the professional within the sector," Professor Byrne said.
Dr Boston has held a number of leadership roles in schools and boards, including at Mentone Girls Secondary College and Mac.Robertson Girls' High School. She has been President of the Association of Girls State Secondary Schools of Victoria and served on Education Department committees.
A prominent promoter of girls' education, Dr Boston is the Trustee of the ANZ Scholarship Fund, which helps talented but economically and socially disadvantaged girls to attend university.
Her work emphasising education for girls has seen Dr Boston as a senior member of the Alliance of Girls Schools, a non-profit organisation promoting high quality of education for girls in single-sex schools.
Dr Boston has contributed extensively to the tertiary sector for many years on many committees and selection panels, including membership on the Council of Monash University from 2004-2012, and involvement with the University of Melbourne's student support systems since the early 1990s.