Saranne Cooke will become the first Charles Sturt University graduate to serve as the institution’s Chancellor when she takes the reins in December.
Dr Cooke was born in Condobolin and grew up in Bathurst in central NSW, studying at ANU and later Charles Sturt during a lengthy career in business and advocacy. She is chair of Racing NSW and the South Eastern Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and also sits on the board of Meat and Livestock Australia.
Dr Cooke has served on Charles Sturt’s Council for more than a decade and succeeds Michelle Allan, who has kept a firm grip on the CSU Chancellors’ robes for the past 12 years.