Bond University has awarded a prestigious Honorary Doctorate to Mrs Gina Rinehart in recognition of her commitment and contribution to the Australian economy and wider community.
Bond Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford said Mrs Rinehart was in a very select group of Australians that had made such a major impact on the nation.
“Gina Rinehart is a very strong leader with an astute business mind, who possesses a vision on how our country can progress and prosper,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Her contribution to the mineral resources sector, public policy debate and the national economy will ensure she leaves a lasting legacy.”
Mrs Rinehart said she was honoured to receive the award.
She thanked and congratulated Bond as “an innovative and entrepreneurial private University”, and said she would “look forward to increasing my association with Bond through this Honorary Doctorate”.
Mrs Rinehart is a leading figure in the Australian resources sector. She has been Executive Chairman and CEO of Hancock-Prospecting since 1992, and has grown the wealth of the company group considerably through a series of investments and joint ventures in Australia. She is a Director of Ten Network Holdings.
She is also a Director of Hope Downs Marketing Company and Chairman of the Hancock Family Medical Foundation Inc. (HFMF Inc), a medical foundation for cancer and heart conditions.
Mrs Rinehart is also a significant contributor to a number of charities in Australia and her philanthropic work includes the mentoring of young West Australians through the MANKAAL Foundation, helping Pilbara female artists achieve their dreams and funding of the Hope Scholarship Award which fully supports three students each year to attend university.
She is the founder and Chairman of Australians for Northern Development and Economic Vision (ANDEV), through which she has contributed to public policy for Northern Australia, and various other economic issues.
In 2012 she was awarded the Trailblazer of Australia Award, for promoting Australia internationally, and has twice been awarded the international McMillan Woods Global Award as Visionary CEO of the Year. Mrs Rinehart has been named an Honorary Ambassador for the Northern Territory, Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year, and was the first person to receive two Diggers and Dealers Awards, in addition to receiving many other awards.