Sally Ann Walker is an Australian university administrator and lawyer. She served as the fifth Vice-Chancellor and President of

Deakin University Deakin University is a public university in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1974, the university was named after Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia. Its main campuses are in Melbourne's Burwood suburb, Geelong Waurn Ponds, ...

(2003–2010) and was the first woman to be appointed to the position.

Early life and education

She studied at Warrnambool College and then received a scholarship to attend

Melbourne Girls' Grammar School , motto_translation = Without the Lord, All is in Vain , established = 1893 , type = Independent School, Independent, Single-sex education, single sex, day & Boarding school, boarding, Christianity, Chris ...

and subsequently earned a place in the

Law School A law school (also known as a law centre or college of law) is an institution specializing in legal education, usually involved as part of a process for becoming a lawyer within a given jurisdiction. Law degrees Argentina In Argentina, ...

of The

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb nor ...

, from which she graduated with a

Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...

degree with

First Class Honours The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading structure for undergraduate degrees or bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees in the United Kingdom. The system has been applied (sometimes with significant variati ...

. In her graduating class, she was placed first and was awarded the Supreme Court Prize, the Anna Brennan Memorial Prize and the inaugural Joan Rosanove Memorial Prize. She later obtained a

Master of Laws A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL.M.; Latin: ' or ') is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject. In mos ...

degree from the same institution.

Law career

In 1978 she became an Associate to Justice Sir

Keith Aickin Sir Keith Arthur Aickin (1 February 1916 – 18 June 1982), was an Australian judge who served on the High Court of Australia from 1976 until his death in 1982. He had previously been a prominent barrister. Early life and education Aickin was ...

of the

High Court of Australia The High Court of Australia is Australia's apex court. It exercises Original jurisdiction, original and appellate jurisdiction on matters specified within Constitution of Australia, Australia's Constitution. The High Court was established fol ...

. The following year, she became an Associate Partner with Gillotts Solicitors (now part of

Minter Ellison MinterEllison is a multinational law firm, and professional services firm, based in Australia. The firm has fifteen offices and operates in five countries. By number of lawyers it is the largest law firm in Australia. History MinterEllison is ...

) in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

. In April 1993, she became First Academic Secretary of the Victorian Attorney-General's Law Reform Advisory Council.

Academic career

In 1980, she joined

and in 1993 became ''Hearn Professor of Law'' and was subsequently appointed to the positions of: President of the Academic Board, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and, until 2003, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. In 2003 she was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and President of Deakin University, positions she held until July 2010. In 2010 Deakin University conferred upon her an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws for her distinguished contribution to Deakin University, to legal education and scholarship and to higher education in general. She is a Professor Emeritus of both Deakin University and the University of Melbourne. In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours list, she was made a Member of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

Personal life

Walker married doctor and former

Chief Medical Officer Chief medical officer (CMO) is the title used in many countries for the senior government official designated head of medical services, sometimes at the national level. The post is held by a physician who serves to advise and lead a team of medical ...

of Australia Brendan Murphy in 1979 and has two sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Sally Living people University of Melbourne women Year of birth missing (living people) People educated at Melbourne Girls Grammar People from Warrnambool Deakin University faculty University of Melbourne alumni University of Melbourne faculty Members of the Order of Australia