2017 Walter Neal Oration & Awards Evening

This year’s Oration will be delivered by Dr Noel Nannup. The College Medal (WA) will be presented to Dr Alec O’Connell for his outstanding services to education. The occasion will also recognise longstanding members in passing milestones with the College.

The event will be held at the Bentley Pines Restaurant, a training institution of Polytechnic West for the hospitality industry. Students, under supervision from their lecturers, cook and serve a three course meal and wait on tables. The restaurant has won four Gold Plate Awards previously. With only sixty places available, guests are encouraged to book early.

Ticket cost includes entry and a three course meal. All beverages can be purchased separately.

2017 Walter Neal Orator

Dr Noel Nannup – ‘Different Cultures and the Synergistic World View’

Dr Nannup is a well-respected Noongar Elder and is currently Lead Elder-in-Residence and Cultural Ambassador at Edith Cowan University, and Heritage Consultant with Indigenous Tours WA. Dr Nannup is a known story teller and cultural guide, instructor and mentor, and has examined ‘Synergies of Meaning’ through a documentary film series exploring the relationship and unity between traditional Indigenous Noongar knowledge and western natural and social scientific knowledge.

His awards include:

2008 – Recognition of Contribution to Higher Education for Aboriginal People, WA Winner
2005 – WA Citizen of the Year (Culture and Arts) Finalist
2003 – Honorary Doctorate – Murdoch University

2017 WA Medal Recipient

Dr Alec O’Connell

Dr Alec O’Connell is currently Headmaster of Scotch College. Before taking on this role he was the Assistant Director at the Catholic Education Office of WA where he held the portfolio of People and Organisational Services. He graduated as a teacher in 1982 and since graduating has worked across K-Tertiary, including holding a variety of both teaching and administrative positions.

Dr O’Connell was the foundation Head and CEO of Trinity at the University of WA and held the positions of the Executive Director, Vice Chancellery and Executive of Academic and Student Services at The University of Notre Dame Australia. He was the WA Chairperson and a member of the National Board of the Australian College of Educators. Dr O’Connell’s contribution to the Australian College of Educators (ACE) was recognised through a Professional Teaching Association of Western Australia Outstanding Services Award.

He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, the Australian Institute of Management and the National Association of University Colleges and Halls and a Life Member of Trinity Residential College at the University of Western Australia. Currently he is a Director of the Association of Independent Schools in WA (AISWA), a member of the UWA Business School Ambassadorial Committee and is an inaugural committee member of the Forrest Foundation Committee of the University of Western Australia. He also chairs the Health Sciences External Advisory Board at the University of Notre Dame.