John Cassidy (university chancellor)
Encyclopedia
John Marcus Cassidy AO
, Australian engineer and pastoralist, was the sixth Chancellor of the University of New England
, serving from 2004 until 2008.
Much of Cassidy’s career was in civil engineering. He studied at the University of Newcastle
, where he graduated with a bachelor of Civil Engineering. His career included stints abroad between 1975 and 1985. In the late 1980s, Cassidy became CEO of the construction company Abigroup. Having built and diversified the company, Cassidy retired as CEO of Abigroup in early 2004. In 1982, Cassidy purchased the grazing property Merilba at Kingstown
, where he became associated with the breeding of South Devon cattle
, as well as other livestock, and more recent times, the growing wine grapes on the property.
Cassidy was appointed chancellor by the University Council on the 11 December 2003, and was installed at a graduation ceremony the following March. In 2007, Cassidy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to university administration, to the civil engineering and construction industries, and to the community. He also became involved with other educational institutions, including the New England Conservatorium of Music and the New England Girls School, where in 2006 he underwrote the school’s A$
4 million debt.
In 2008, Cassidy became embroiled in a dispute with the university vice-chancellor, Alan Pettigrew over the demarcation of roles between the two offices. In June 2008, the staff passed motions of no confidence in the chancellor. Despite attempts at mediation by Sir Laurence Street
, on the 10 November 2008, it was announced that Cassidy's appointment as chancellor would not be renewed for a second term, and he was replaced by Richard Torbay
.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, Australian engineer and pastoralist, was the sixth Chancellor of the University of New England
University of New England, Australia
The University of New England is an Australian public university with approximately 18,000 higher education students. Its original and main campus is located in the city of Armidale in northern New South Wales....
, serving from 2004 until 2008.
Much of Cassidy’s career was in civil engineering. He studied at the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
, where he graduated with a bachelor of Civil Engineering. His career included stints abroad between 1975 and 1985. In the late 1980s, Cassidy became CEO of the construction company Abigroup. Having built and diversified the company, Cassidy retired as CEO of Abigroup in early 2004. In 1982, Cassidy purchased the grazing property Merilba at Kingstown
Kingstown, New South Wales
Kingstown is a rural village, north west of Uralla on the Northern Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. At the 2006 census, Kingstown had a population of 137 people. It has a public school, church, general store, Landcare Group and Rural Fire Service...
, where he became associated with the breeding of South Devon cattle
South Devon cattle
South Devon cattle, also known as Orange Elephants, are the largest of the British Native breeds. They are believed to have descended from the large red cattle of Normandy which were imported during the Norman invasion of England. The breed is a rich, medium red with copper tints, though it varies...
, as well as other livestock, and more recent times, the growing wine grapes on the property.
Cassidy was appointed chancellor by the University Council on the 11 December 2003, and was installed at a graduation ceremony the following March. In 2007, Cassidy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to university administration, to the civil engineering and construction industries, and to the community. He also became involved with other educational institutions, including the New England Conservatorium of Music and the New England Girls School, where in 2006 he underwrote the school’s A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
4 million debt.
In 2008, Cassidy became embroiled in a dispute with the university vice-chancellor, Alan Pettigrew over the demarcation of roles between the two offices. In June 2008, the staff passed motions of no confidence in the chancellor. Despite attempts at mediation by Sir Laurence Street
Laurence Street
Sir Laurence Whistler Street AC, KCMG, QC is an Australian jurist and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.-Family:...
, on the 10 November 2008, it was announced that Cassidy's appointment as chancellor would not be renewed for a second term, and he was replaced by Richard Torbay
Richard Torbay
George Richard Torbay MP , an Australian politician, is an independent member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Northern Tablelands since 1999. Torbay was the 30th Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, serving from 2007 until 2011, and was the first independent...
.