25 September 2026: Dr Wendy McCarthy AC first arrived at the University of Canberra more than three decades ago and this week, she returned to receive an Honorary Doctorate during September’s graduation ceremonies.
The conferral at the Faculty of Education’s ceremony recognised her distinguished contributions to her advocacy of education, equality, public service and social reform, as well as her service to the University.
The honour came as "unexpected recognition" for Dr McCarthy, despite more than 60 years spent challenging assumptions about who participates in Australian public life, and who has the authority to shape it.
The award has prompted reflection on a lifetime of achievements and connections.
“UC has always held a special place in my heart,” she said.
“I’m swimming in memories at the moment – thinking about how my life led me to the University of Canberra and what a privilege it was to be there when I was, and how grateful I am now.”
Among those memories is when Dr McCarthy was first appointed by then Education Minister Kim Beasley as a Council Member, before going on to become Deputy Chancellor and then finally serving as Chancellor of the University for a decade from 1996.
She joined an organisation that was on the way up, managed by Vice Chancellor, Professor Don Aitken, who in a strange quirk of fate, she already knew as they were both graduates from the University of New England and believed passionately in the role of the new universities created out of Colleges of Advanced Education.
“We shared a common view that a university education should be available to anyone, and anyone was capable at the right time,” Dr McCarthy said.
For Dr McCarthy, university was not a pathway that had been modelled to her. She was the first in her family to pursue tertiary education, and now proudly holds three honorary doctorates, including awards from the University of South Australia and the University of New England, alongside the University of Canberra.
She has helped inspire generations of learners and encouraged the students to acknowledge that while they are shaped by their circumstances but not confined by them, and that new learning offers new insights and it is possible to change and adapt.
“I want people to know that education opens doors,” she said.
“And that you don’t have to come from wealth or fame to achieve it. I want everyone to think that when they finish their schooling, no matter the level, that there are opportunities available to them even if they don’t know it yet.”
The presentation also provided an opportunity for reconnection. In a true full circle moment, Faculty of Education Executive Dean Associate Professor Janet Smith presented Dr McCarthy with the Honorary Doctorate – more than twenty years after Dr McCarthy conferred her PhD.
"It's very special to me that Janet was there, we are both warriors for women’s education and leadership," she said.
"It's just glorious, and it is such a special joy to be back in the University community."
