Vale Lang Walker AO
Western Sydney University pays tribute to the life and work of Mr Lang Walker AO, who has sadly passed away.
One of our nation’s most important place makers and philanthropists, Lang Walker was a pioneer in Australia’s property development industry for over half a century, shaping and reimagining our urban landscape for the better.
As Founder and Executive Chairman of Walker Corporation, he specialised in thousands of urban transformation projects, creating new communities and business precincts across cities and suburbs which have made a substantial impact on people’s daily lives.
His commitment to Greater Western Sydney in particular is evident through his extensive developments across Parramatta Square, Bankstown and the Macarthur region – projects that have reactivated our public spaces and enriched our civic communities.
Most critically, Lang Walker was also one of Australia’s most significant benefactors, with both Lang and the Walker Family generous supporters on issues ranging from education, social welfare, medical research, health care, heritage, art and culture, sporting causes and commerce.
A long-term friend and supporter of Western Sydney University, Lang Walker made a profound contribution to the University’s own growth and development.
A strategic partnership between the University and Walker Group has helped realise an ambitious vision to deliver state-of-the-art transformational educational infrastructure and world-class medical research facilities for the fast growing South-Western Sydney region.
This includes the University’s $340 million state-of-the-art vertical campus in the Bankstown CBD, which opened in 2022 and delivered in partnership with Walker Corporation, and Lang Walker’s generous contribution of over $20 million to establish the Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building – Macarthur.
Poignantly bearing the name of Mr Walker, the facility will soon have a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.
The Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building – Macarthur will be the cornerstone of the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital and the broader Campbelltown Health and Education precinct, and is being delivered in partnership with South Western Sydney Local Health District, the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and UNSW Sydney.
Thanks to Lang Walker’s incredible generosity the state-of-the-art building will provide the infrastructure needed to promote greater scientific, clinical and industry collaboration and strengthen patient care, bringing together researchers and clinicians with a focus on the complex health challenges facing the fast-growing region.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said Lang Walker was an outstanding Australian who made a generational difference helping shape Western Sydney.
“Few have done more to shape our cities, enliven our nation’s civic spaces, and enrich individual’s lives as Lang Walker,” said Professor Glover.
“We are particularly honoured for the incredibly generosity and sustained contributions that he has made to our own University.
“He has shown remarkable support for our students and a desire to mentor the next generation and has been a tireless advocate for the Western Sydney region more broadly. The University community was delighted to award Lang with an honorary doctorate of letters in 2021, in recognition of his contributions and extraordinary achievements.”
Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AO also paid tribute to Mr Walker as a great Australian and visionary business leader.
“Lang Walker was a great Australian business leader whose lifelong commitment to philanthropy was unmatched. Our University was grateful to be the beneficiary of Lang’s and the Walker Family Foundation’s philanthropic gifts to support teaching and learning, which included millions to support students through undergraduate scholarships and to establish the Lang Walker Professorial Chair in Urban Transformation in perpetuity,” said Professor Westacott.
“One of the enduring themes across all of Lang’s work was a desire to create opportunities for people and give back to communities. Every project he took on had a grand vision to make it a better place for generations to come. Similarly, he invested heavily in those surrounding communities in order to make a positive difference to people’s lives and ensure a long-lasting legacy.
“It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Mr Lang Walker AO. On behalf of the University community, Professor Glover and I extend our sincere condolences to Lang’s family, as well as his many friends and colleagues.”
ENDS
28 January 2024
Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media & Public Relations
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
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