History of Leadership
Emeritus Professor David M Griffin
Master from 1971 to 1975
Emeritus Professor Griffin was the Foundation Master of Burgmann College and was later named its first Honorary Fellow in 2007. A graduate of the University of Sydney and Cambridge University, he had lectured in plant pathology at Sydney before joining Burgmann. Following his tenure, he became Head of the Department of Forestry at ANU, where his research focused on the influence of environmental factors on fungi.
Dr Trevor J Wigney
Master from 1976 to 1980
Dr Wigney served as Master of Burgmann College from 1976 to 1980. He earned his Doctor of Education from the University of Toronto in 1964 and subsequently joined the Department of History and Philosophy of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Returning to Australia, he became a founding member of Educate Plus (formerly ADAPE), an organisation dedicated to educational advancement, and pioneered the establishment of alumni programs at both the University of Melbourne and the University of Western Australia. Following his passing in 1991, Educate Plus created the inaugural Trevor Wigney Award to honour his contributions to the field and his commitment to the professional development of his peers.
Reverend Donald A Affleck
Master from 1981 to 1982
Reverend Affleck was ordained in 1959 under the Uniting Church of NSW, he devoted 44 years to ministry across the state. He studied science at ANU from 1968 to 1971 and during this time was a staff tutor in residence at Burgmann College. Upon graduating, he was appointed Master of College Halls at Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga, where he oversaw changes to on-campus accommodation and infrastructure that remain in place today. Returning to Burgmann in 1981, Affleck left a lasting impression through his pastoral care and mentorship of residents, before continuing his ministry with the Uniting Church across NSW and Queensland.
Mr Colin JH Thomson AM
Master from 1983 to 1985
Mr Colin Thomson AM served as Master of Burgmann College while concurrently holding a role as a part-time Senior Lecturer at the ANU Law School. He later became Professor and Academic Leader for Health Law and Ethics in the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. A distinguished figure in bioethics, he served on the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the NHMRC (1987–1991) and was a member (1998–2002) and later Chair (2006–2009) of the Australian Health Ethics Committee. He has been a member of numerous human research ethics committees across universities, government departments, public sector agencies and served as a board member, chair, and life member of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law. In June 2018, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to medical research ethics, education, and professional associations.
Reverend Doctor Graeme J Garrett
Principal from 1986 to June 1989
Reverend Doctor Garrett served as Principal of Burgmann College from 1986 to 1989. He subsequently became a Senior Research Fellow at St Mark's National Theological Centre and a Professorial Fellow at the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, where he taught theology for nearly two decades before retiring in 2005. He also served as editor of St Mark's Review from 1992 to 1999 and authored several books, including God Matters: Conversation in Theology (1999). In 2009, his peers honoured him with the publication of Embracing Grace, the Theologian's Task: Essays in Honour of Graeme Garrett.
Mr Robert (Bob) E Northey
Principal from 1989 to 1995
Mr Northey completed an Honours Degree in History at the University of Melbourne before teaching English and History at Ballarat Grammar School from 1963 to 1965. He went on to lecture in Humanities at Ballarat College of Advanced Education from 1969 to 1975, completing an MA at Melbourne during that time. He then served as Head of the Senior College at Ballarat and Clarendon College from 1976 to 1987, and as Acting Principal in 1988, before joining Burgmann. Following his tenure as Principal, he was appointed General Manager of the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne, a position he held for 14 years until his retirement in 2009, after which he served as President of the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra for a further six years.
Reverend Doctor Lewis Rushbrook
Principal from 1995 to 2005
Reverend Doctor Rushbrook moved from New Zealand to Australia in 1968, holding a BA and MA in English Language and Literature from Auckland University. At just 23, he became Principal of John Flynn College at James Cook University in Townsville, a role he held until 1971, when he became a founding resident of Burgmann and commenced a PhD in Linguistics at ANU, later adding an MA in Theology from Oxford. As Staff Tutor, he helped establish enduring college traditions including "Luigis" — the beloved weekend coffee and scones gathering — and WOBCO (Workers of Burgmann College), a resident employment scheme. His daughters Christy (1974) and Kimberley (1975) were the first babies born at the College.
Reverend Doctor Rushbrook returned in 1995 to become the seventh Principal in Burgmann's history. Among his proudest achievements was conceiving and driving the establishment of the postgraduate village, opened in 2004. He later served as CEO and Principal of Dunmore Lang College at Macquarie University until 2012. In retirement, he has completed multiple 1,000 km charity bike rides, delivered a 16-part address series on the Apostles' Creed, and competed in triathlons and half-marathons. Having spent 30 years living in university college communities, he describes it as a rare privilege and a highlight of his life.
Doctor Philip L Dutton
Principal from 2006 to 2015
Dr Philip Dutton began his Arts degree at Monash University on 14 March 1967. After a decade at Parade College in East Melbourne, he matriculated from Northcote High School and began teaching across the secondary curriculum in 1973. In 1979, he was offered a rare opportunity to study in the UK with renowned educationist Dorothy Heathcote, completing a Master's at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Returning to Monash in 1982, he undertook doctoral studies and appointments in the Faculty of Education and Halls of Residence, before transferring to James Cook University to complete his PhD, researching models of collegiate academic support, peer mentoring, and shared learning.
Prior to Burgmann, Dr Dutton served as Dean of Students at Hawkesbury Agricultural College/UWS Hawkesbury (1986–1990), including a planning role in the formation of the University of Western Sydney, and as Inaugural Head of Weerona College at the University of Wollongong (1990–2003). Following his tenure at Burgmann, he returned to Wollongong in 2017, where he now teaches Ancient History and Ancient Texts and leads study tours to ancient sites.
Ms Sally Renouf
Principal from 2016 to 2024
Ms Renouf was the first woman to serve as Principal of Burgmann College. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Politics at Monash University in 2009, majoring in French and Japanese, before relocating to Canberra to live at Burgmann while completing her Juris Doctor. Having built a long association with the College, she served as Deputy Principal from 2013 to 2015, and completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2016, leading to her admission as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.
As Principal, Ms Renouf led Burgmann through a period of significant challenge and transformation. She oversaw a series of construction and refurbishment projects that improved the amenity, safety, and accessibility of the College; led the institutional response to The Nous Report through a Cultural Change and Audit Program, including reforms to the College's Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures; and steered the College through the COVID-19 pandemic with careful and prudent management.
Mr Alex McKenzie
Principal from 2024 to 2025
Mr McKenzie is a behavioural economist and alumnus of Burgmann College, having resided at the College from 2016 to 2018, where he served as a Residential Advisor and Gender and Sexuality Education Advocate, and as a member of both Burgmann Council and the Board of Management. He holds a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics from ANU (2018) and a Graduate Certificate in Behavioural Economics from QUT.
Prior to his appointment as Principal, Mr McKenzie worked as an advisor with the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and as a Senior Consultant at KPMG in leadership development, organisational change and strategy. He has also held an analyst role in the Foreign Investment Division of the Department of Treasury. He was appointed Deputy Principal of Burgmann College in 2023 and Principal in February 2024. Mr McKenzie serves as a board member of Friends of Rang'i, a not-for-profit dedicated to education and the empowerment of vulnerable people in western Kenya.
Dr Brenda Holt
Principal from 2025 - Current
Dr Holt is a lifelong educator with 24 years of senior leadership experience in residential colleges, primarily in Melbourne. Born in Texas, she moved permanently to Australia in 1989. Her distinguished career reflects a deep commitment to transformational education, the creation of positive and inclusive residential cultures, and supporting university students to build professional skills and connections. Her vision for residential colleges is that they should be safe spaces in which students can belong, connect, develop, and thrive.
Dr Holt has held leadership roles across several of Melbourne's most prominent colleges, including Head of Little Hall (2025), Head of St Hilda's College (2018–2022), Chief of Staff and Head of Education Strategy at Trinity College (2008–2014), Deputy Master at Queen's College (2015–2016), and Head of Whitley College (2001–2005). Her PhD, Global Routes/Rural Roots: Identity, Rural Women and Higher Education, completed at the University of Melbourne in 2007 under the supervision of Professor Lyn Yates, was awarded the 2009 Chancellor's Prize in Social Sciences. She is a former Chair of Heads of The University of Melbourne Colleges (2019–2021), a member of the National University Colleges Australia Executive and currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Board for the National Association of Australian University Colleges (NAAUC).
