Former Paralympics Australia Vice President Annabelle Williams OAM and former Vice President of Operations at Bond University John Le Lievre have been appointed to the Bond University Council, the university’s peak governing body.
They replace former Global Co-CEO of the Virgin Group David Baxby (Class of 1992) and Founding Partner of law firm Cronin Miller Litigation Derek Cronin (Class of 1989) who have served the maximum terms allowed under the Bond University Constitution.
Ms Williams (Class of 2007) won a gold medal in swimming at the London Olympics before her stint at Paralympics Australia.
She is an accomplished lawyer, former Legal Counsel to the Australian Olympic Committee and a television commentator.
“While I was (at Bond) I competed at two Paralympic Games, a Commonwealth Games and World Championships as well,” Ms Williams said.
“Bond enabled me to balance being an elite athlete and doing my very best academically.
“I had the most amazing professors and the university at large was just extraordinary.
“So when this opportunity came, I couldn't have thought of a better place I would rather give back to.”
Ms Williams said she looked forward to using her experience in governance but also had her eye on opportunities presented by the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
“There are certain landmark Games that change the landscape and I feel that's going to be the case here in South East Queensland with its active and outdoor lifestyle," she said.
“It’s a huge opportunity for Bond because the facilities here are second to none.
“Sports organisations would relish the opportunity to be connected with the university in the lead-up to the Games.
“Hopefully I can contribute to some of that strategy moving forward.”
Mr Le Lievre first became involved with the university as the Managing Director of EIE Australia, part of the empire of university co-founder Harunori Takahashi.
He then spent decades at the university itself, helping steer Bond through troubled times in the 1990s and retiring in 2020.
More recently he was President of the Bond University AFL Club.
Mr Le Lievre said his upcoming stint on the council would bookend his time at Bond and would be vastly different experience to his early years at the university.
“What excites me is the university now is so well placed in terms of stability, governance and finances,” Mr Le Lievre said.
“In those formative years, we were having meetings to determine whether we could survive.
“The change has been tremendous and I’m also pleased that the university is now sufficiently mature that we have alumni like Annabelle joining the council.”
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President Tim Brailsford thanked Mr Baxby and Mr Cronin for their contributions and ongoing support for the university.
“David and Derek are two of our most passionate alumni and their vast experience in the fields of business and law has served Bond well,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Annabelle brings a unique set of skills that will be useful as we seek to leverage the build-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“And few people have a better understanding of the workings of Bond than John Le Lievre, who has been a near-constant presence throughout our 34-year history.”
The other members of the council are Chancellor Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford, Professor Daryl Le Grew AO, Marion Charlton, Lisa MacCallum, Lisa Paul AO PSM, Dr Manny Pohl AM and Kate Vidgen.