Paul Jeans FRSN was farewelled in style by town and gown at the “Celebration and Thank You to Our Chancellor” dinner in the Great Hall of the University of Newcastle on 24 November. Serving as Chancellor for the past ten years, Paul will be retiring from his role at the end of 2023.

The speakers paying tribute to Paul were as one in saying what a privilege it was to work with Paul and how his outstanding leadership skills and experience have been immensely valuable to the University. The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other distinguished guests celebrated Paul’s many achievements and recognised the extraordinary contributions he has made to the University during his tenure.

Paul was appointed as the University’s seventh Chancellor in 2013. Under his leadership, the University has achieved its highest-ever global ranking and has reinforced its place as the sector leader in Indigenous education, with the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander full-time equivalent students for any Australian university. Paul has overseen many game-changing infrastructure investments during his tenure as Chancellor —including NUspace and the Q Building in Newcastle, and the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute in Gosford.

The handsome portrait of Paul that will be held in the University Art Collection was painted by Jonathan Dalton an Irish artist who migrated to Australia from Spain in 2013. Dalton has been a finalist in several Archibald Prizes and won prestigious awards from leading Irish art institutions.

The Chair of the Hunter Branch of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Distinguished Emeritus Professor John Aitken, was the MC for the evening. The photograph shows John (far right) with his wife, Rhona Aitken, Paul Jeans, and Susan Pond, President of the Royal Society of NSW. Paul has been generous to the Society with his wisdom and time, including as one of the leading figures in establishing the Hunter Branch.