Public servant Yehudi Blacher is the new chair of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, the state’s equivalent of ASQA.
The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources announces its 2026 Measurement Awards. Ajit Dash (Diraq Pty Ltd and Uni NSW): EMCR encouragement award and people’s choice. Julio Soria (Monash U): metrology, Glenn Ross (NSW Department of Climate Change and etc): air quality monitoring.
Saranne Cooke starts as Chancellor of Charles Sturt U in December, stepping up from a 6-year term as deputy chancellor.
Geoff McColl (Australian Medical Council) becomes independent chair of the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise.
Jodie McVernon starts in November as ED of the Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (“supporting translational research and nurturing the future leaders of the Victorian healthcare sector.”) She will move from the Peter Doherty Institute.
Russell Nelms becomes Director, Strategic Portfolio at UTS. He joins from management consultant Tranzformd.
Medical research lobby Research Australia announces its 2025-26 awards. Peter Wills Medal: Melissa Little Murdoch CRI. ECR award: Caitlin Jones. Uni Sydney. Philanthropy: Neil and Norma Hill Foundation. Frontiers Research: Arutha Kulasinghe (Uni Queensland). Digital-Data: Data Connect Australia. Health Services: Chris Freeman (Uni Queensland).
Brandon Wainwright is appointed director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer. He moves from Uni Queensland.
Michael Webb is inaugural ED of University of Melbourne’s Melbourne National Security and Defence, which will “lead the university’s coordination on industry engagement.” He moves from a similar role at Adelaide University.
Mark Witham becomes Interim Head of Entrepreneurship at Uni Queensland. It is an internal appointment.