Chancellor’s Address: An evening with the Chancellor

The following address was delivered by Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC on Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (please check against delivery).

I too would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we meet, the Burramattagal People of the Darug nation, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

I also extend my respect to all Indigenous people who are present tonight.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you all for sharing an Evening with the Chancellor.

This is our opportunity to say thank you to our supporters and our teams – and to demonstrate the University’s continued leadership across so many fronts.

The proudest day of my life was my installation as the fourth Chancellor and first woman of Western Sydney University.

Not only is Western a unique institution that I am humbled to serve, but the role of universities holds a special place in our society.

As university leaders, it is our responsibility to broaden horizons, impart knowledge – and very much in the case of Western – play a leading role in shaping our great region.

Research and innovation are front and centre of driving Western Sydney’s transformation.

Universities like ours ensure graduates have the skills and training for today’s jobs and those of the future in emerging industries.

Our research solves intractable problems and delivers improved quality of life, both in our backyard and globally.

It’s why for four years in a row Western Sydney University outshone the world’s best universities to be named number one in the Times Higher Education’s Sustainability Impact Ratings.

This is a testament to the efforts of everyone, especially our researchers.

Thank you to Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Ian Anderson, and Provost, Professor Deborah Sweeney for leading this work, and particularly the work we are showcasing tonight.

RESEARCH SHOWCASE

Tonight we are showcasing how vital and impactful Western’s efforts are in advancing knowledge, improving the human condition and solving the problems plaguing our society.

We have 16 projects on display, all detailed in a brochure we will hand out.

I won’t run through all of them, but I do want to highlight a few.

These projects promote greater understanding, they solve problems, and they are leading technological advances.

One. Space

First to a world first project that takes Western Sydney to space.

The International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems designed and operated the first neuromorphic sensors in space.

Across three different space missions, the Centre has proven neuromorphic technologies may be perfect to build better, more capable, and more resilient space systems.

The sensors are built to capture and characterise high-altitude lightning and atmospheric phenomena.

In collaboration with the United States Air Force Academy, the Centre has operated instruments on the International Space Station since 2021.

Their latest instrument – Falcon ODIN – uses the latest generation of neuromorphic sensors and continues to capture scientific data on:

This is a project that is truly expanding our horizons.

Two. Memory Aid

Our second example highlights research that is making life a little easier for those afflicted by dementia – now the biggest cause of underlying death in Australia, which is debilitating for those who suffer from it.

Led by Associate Professor Celia Harris, MemoryAid combines familiar telephone design with digital technology to support people living with dementia at home.

Users respond to calls and prompts by lifting a familiar handset.

The device supports video calls, reminders and daily routines.

Individuals and families can tailor it to the activities that matter to them.

Trials indicate it can support independence and everyday living.

Three. Robotic Inspections

The third example leverages new technologies to make industrial inspections safer.

A futuristic looking ANYbotics quadruped robot is being used by our Factory of the Future team.

They are currently using the robot for acoustic sensing for gas leaks and testing for abnormalities with equipment.

It’s a clever applications of new technology that has the potential to keep people safe and save lives.

I proudly sit on the Board of a major global gas and energy company.

For us safety is a number one priority. This kind of technology will be a game changer.

Four. CO2 concrete

Our fourth example is centred on the circular economy, sustainability and safe construction.

Led by Distinguished Professor Vivian Tam, CO2 Concrete transforms captured carbon dioxide and recycled concrete into lower-carbon building products.

Captured CO2 is permanently stored through carbon mineralisation.

Using recycled aggregate and low-carbon materials it reduces demand for virgin resources.

And in the process, the product enhances the CO2 Concrete’s strength, durability and long-term performance.

As we must meet the challenges of decarbonisation while we grow our population and our economy. The applications for this product are limitless.

Five. Solar car

And my final example tonight is Western’s solar car.

This is not only igniting a passion for engineering but is setting the pace on advancing sustainable transport.

Around 25 undergraduate students are dedicated to designing and manufacturing a cutting-edge solar-powered vehicle.

The result?

UNLIMITED 6.0 can reach speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour.

And it uses roughly the same amount of total energy to cross the Australian outback as a household electric kettle.

The team ranked first in Australia and sixth globally in its class at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

The project advances sustainable technology and precision manufacturing.

CONSTANT CHANGE

In a world of change and upheaval, we are faced with enormous challenges and enormous opportunities.

We are in a period of constant change.

For years, we’ve convinced ourselves that change has a stop-start button.

It doesn’t. It’s not going away and we need to adapt.

This is one of the biggest paradigm shifts in history colliding with one of the most intense periods of instability.

Technological change is ubiquitous.

Decarbonisation is around us.

And manufacturing and the ways of production are evolving.

Western Sydney is at the centre of new opportunities in Australia.

Our University is helping to make the most of this by educating and skilling the region’s workforce.

Research helps us navigate the future and drives the new industries that will power up the Western Sydney and Australian economies.

It helps us prepare for change and adapt to shifting circumstances.

This year we changed the University’s brand to – charge towards change.

We want our students and our teams to take control of the incredible change that is before us.

To be confident that we can thrive, prosper and care for each other.

This is the moral, ethical and intellectual responsibility of universities to prepare their students, their people and the community for the future.

Charging towards change is underpinned by knowledge and understanding.

Research gives us those tools.

It is about unleashing the potential of our people – our staff, our students, our researchers, and our partners.

CONCLUSION

As some people say, the future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave.

What we seek to achieve at Western is brave, including through our research ambitions.

And as we stand at the new dawn of knowledge, it is essential that universities like ours step forward.

Universities that are values driven and morally and ethically grounded have a key role to play in nurturing the research that drives our society forward.

So join with us as we:

Thank you.

Spirit of Western Award - Dr Peter Brennan AM

Tonight, we recognise an individual whose commitment to Western Sydney University has spanned almost three decades.

His generosity, leadership and belief in the transformative power of education have left an enduring legacy across our institution and the communities we serve.

The Spirit of Western Award recognises individuals who embody the values that define our University:

This year's recipient exemplifies those values in every sense.

Dr Peter Brennan AM has been a friend, advocate, supporter and partner of Western Sydney University since 1998.

Through his personal philanthropy – together with the support of Michael Lynch and Bradcorp – he has helped shape the growth and success of this University over many years.

His philanthropic support makes him one of the University's longest serving and most significant supporters.

Peter's relationship with Western has never simply been about financial support.

It has been about belief.

A belief in the potential of Western Sydney.

A belief in the power of education to transform lives.

And a belief that every community deserves access to world-class healthcare, opportunity and hope.

Nowhere is that more evident than through Peter's extraordinary support of the School of Medicine.

In 2007, Peter made a landmark commitment to establish the Peter Brennan Chair in General Practice, recognising the critical role that primary care and general practitioners play in supporting healthier communities.

At the time, his donation was the largest philanthropic commitment to Western and the first endowed chair established by a donor.

That investment helped build lasting capability in teaching, research and community health.

It continues to influence the education of future generations of medical professionals serving Western Sydney and beyond.

Peter's contribution has extended well beyond philanthropy.

He has

In recognition of his distinguished community service, Western Sydney University awarded Peter an Honorary Doctorate in 2011 at the inaugural School of Medicine graduation ceremony.

Yet despite the many honours he has received throughout his career, Peter has remained humble, generous and deeply committed to giving back to the communities that have shaped him.

His service to Western has also included leadership within our philanthropic community.

As Chair of the Western Sydney University Foundation and through his ongoing involvement with Foundation governance, Peter has helped strengthen the culture of philanthropy that is so important to the University's future.

More recently, Peter and Michael demonstrated their continuing commitment to inclusion, belonging and student wellbeing through their support of Rainbow Western.

This helped ensure that all members of our community can feel welcomed, valued and supported.

What makes Peter's contribution truly special is that it reflects the very essence of the Spirit of Western.

He has championed better health outcomes.

He has opened doors for students.

He has strengthened communities.

He has invested not only in buildings, programs and research, but in people.

And through that commitment he has helped Western Sydney University to transform lives through education, research and community impact.

Peter, your friendship, leadership and unwavering belief in this University have made a profound difference.

On behalf of the Board, the Vice-Chancellor, our students, researchers, staff, alumni and the countless members of our community who have benefited from your generosity, it is my great honour to present you with the 2026 Spirit of Western Award.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Dr Peter Brennan AM, recipient of the 2026 Spirit of Western Award.

Peter, we would be delighted if you would join us at the lectern and share a few words with us as you accept this prestigious recognition from Western Sydney University.

ENDS.

11 November 2026
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
Media Unit