Inaugural Annual Lecture of the UWA Historical Society in association with Convocation, The UWA Graduates Association
UWA was favoured in July with the delivery of the inaugural annual lecture of the UWA Historical Society in association with Convocation, by the Chief Justice of the High Court, Robert French. His well-chosen subject – the heady days of student political life in the sixties – elicited a strong response from those assembled.
The Chief Justice's placement of the topic within the context of international, national and state politics and finally the University and the Guild was greatly appreciated.
Chief Justice French is a UWA graduate in science and law and it is with great pleasure that the University welcomed him back to the campus for this inaugural address.
Chief Justice French founded the WA Aboriginal Legal Service, was the first president of the national Native Title Tribunal, WA Citizen of the Year 2009 and recipient of the Sir Charles Court Inspiring Leadership Award 2009.
He served on almost every legal board of significance in Australia in his 21 years as a Judge of the Federal Court and is an authority on Australian native title and constitutional law.