Burgmann College PRINT 92

Masters & Principals

Thank you to 2021 resident Olivia Nolan for her work in researching our former Masters and Principals during our 50th year.

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Professor David M Griffin

Master from 1971 to 1975

Emeritus Professor David Griffin was the Foundation Master of Burgmann College from 1971-1975 and was later named as the College's first Honorary Fellow in 2007. Before coming to Burgmann, Professor Griffin was a graduate of the University of Sydney and Cambridge and taught aa a lecturer in plant pathology at the University of Sydney. Alumnus, Mr Robin Brown (1971-1973) remembers him for his “wisdom, perceptiveness and people handling skills.” After his tenure at Burgmann, Professor Griffin became the Head of Department of Forestry at ANU, where he focused on the influence of environmental factors on fungi.

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Dr Trevor J Wigney

Master from 1976 to 1980

Dr Trevor Wigney served as the second Master of Burgmann College from 1976 to 1980. Before coming to Burgmann in 1976, He earned a Doctor of Education from the University of Toronto in 1964 and went on to join the Department of History and Philosophy of Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. After returning to Australia in the late 1970s, Dr Wigney became a founding member of Educate Plus (formerly ADAPE) which advocated for educational advancement in Australia. During and after his time at Burgmann, he 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 commitment to the field, his work in advancement throughout Australia, and his personal contribution to the professional development of his peers.

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Reverend Donald A Affleck

Master from 1981 to 1982

Reverend Donald Affleck was Master of Burgmann College from 1981 to 1982. Ordained in 1959 under the auspices of the Uniting Church of NSW, he was dedicated to the ministry, serving for 44 years across NSW regions. From 1968 to 1971, he studied science at ANU, and in 1971 took on the role of staff tutor in residence at Burgmann College. In early 1972, after graduating from ANU, he was appointed Master of College Halls at Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga. Whilst at Riverina College, he focused on changes to on-campus accommodation and college infrastructure that remain in place today. In 1981, Reverend Affleck returned to Burgmann as its third Master. Though his tenure was brief, he left a lasting impression on the College community through his pastoral care and mentorship of residents. After leaving Burgmann, he continued working for the Uniting Churches across NSW and in Queensland.

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Mr Colin JH Thomson AM

Master from 1983 to 1985

Mr Colin Thomson AM was Master of Burgmann College from 1983 to 1985. During this time, he continued his role as a part-time Senior Lecturer at the ANU Law School. After leaving Burgmann College, he continued his work at the ANU Law School before becoming a Professor and Academic Leader for Health Law and Ethics in the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. He was a member of the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (1987–1991) and member (1998–2002) and later Chair (2006–2009) of the Australian Health Ethics Committee, also of the NHMRC. Mr Thomson has been a member of numerous human research ethics committees in universities, government departments and public sector agencies. He was a committee member of the Australian Bioethics Association and a board member, chair, and life member of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law. In June 2018, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to medical research, particularly research ethics, education and professional associations.

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Reverend Doctor Graeme J Garrett

Principal from 1986 to June 1989

Reverend Doctor Graeme J Garrett was Principal of Burgmann College from 1986 to 1989. After his time at Burgmann, Reverend Dr Garrett became a Senior Research Fellow at St Mark's National Theological Centre & Professorial Fellow at the School of Theology at Charles Stuart University. He taught theology at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra for almost two decades prior to retirement in 2005 and was editor of St Mark’s Review from 1992 – 1999. Dr Garrett has written multiple books including God Matters: Conversation in Theology (1999) and in 2009 was honoured with the publication of Embracing Grace, the Theologian’s Task: Essays in Honour of Graeme Garrett.

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Mr Robert E Northey

Principal from 1989 to 1995

Mr Robert Northey completed an Honours Degree in History at the University of Melbourne and then taught English and History at Ballarat Grammar School from 1963 to 1965. Thereafter, he was Lecturer in Humanities at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) from 1969 until 1975 and completed an MA at the University of Melbourne. Before coming to Burgmann, he was Head of the Senior College at Ballarat and Clarendon College from 1976 until 1987 and was Acting Principal in 1988. After his tenure at Burgmann, Mr Northey was appointed General Manager of the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne - a position he held for fourteen years until his retirement in 2009. He then became President of the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra for a further six years.

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Reverend Doctor Lewis Rushbrook

Principal from 1995 to 2005

Reverend Dr Lewis Rushbrook moved from New Zealand to Australia in 1968 with a BA and MA in English Language and Literature from Auckland University. At 23 he became Principal of John Flynn College at James Cook University, Townsville, until 1971 when he became a founding resident of Burgmann College and began his PhD in Linguistics at ANU, followed years later by an MA in Theology at Oxford. The following year he became Staff Tutor, started ‘Luigis’ (weekend coffee and scones) and the resident employment scheme named WOBCO (Workers of Burgmann College) and shared in the legendary, exuberant early years of Burgmann. His daughters Christy (1974) and Kimberley (1975) were the first babies born at College. In 1995 he returned from London to became the eighth principal in 24 years. His greatest satisfaction in this long association with Burgmann was conceiving and driving through the establishment of the postgraduate village, opened in 2004. After Burgmann, he became CEO and Principal of Dunmore Lang College, Macquarie University, until 2012. Retiring to Canberra, he has since done several 1000k bike rides for charity, delivered a series of 16 addresses on the Apostles’ Creed, and completed in triathlons and half-marathons. In all, he has spent 30 years living in communities in university colleges: he says it’s a rare privilege and a highlight of his life.

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Doctor Philip L Dutton

Principal from 2006 to 2015

Dr Philip Dutton undertook an Arts degree at Monash University commencing coincidentally on the same day that Bishop EH Burgmann died - Tuesday 14 March 1967. Dr Dutton had attended Parade College, East Melbourne for 10 years before matriculating from Northcote High School. He began teaching across the secondary curriculum in 1973 until late 1979 when offered a rare place to study in the UK for a Master’s with the renowned educationist Dorothy Heathcote at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr Dutton returned to Monash with wife Valerie in 1982 to take up doctoral studies and appointments in the Faculty of Education and the Halls of Residence. He completed his PhD, transferring to James Cook University, working on models of collegiate academic support, shared learning, the mentoring movement from Homer in ancient times and especially peer mentoring in colleges. Before Burgmann, he was the Inaugural Head of Weerona College, University of Wollongong (1990-2003) and Dean of Students, Hawkesbury Agricultural College/UWS Hawkesbury (1986-1990) including a planning role in the formation of the University of Western Sydney. Dr Dutton returned to UOW in 2017 and now teaches in Ancient History, Ancient Texts and leads study groups to ancient sites.

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Ms Sally Renouf

Principal from 2016 to January 2024

Ms Sally Renouf was the first woman Principal of Burgmann College. Ms Renouf completed her Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Politics at Monash University in 2009 majoring in French and Japanese. In 2010, she relocated to Canberra to live at Burgmann at the commencement of her Juris Doctor. Ms Renouf had a long association with the College and was Deputy Principal from 2013-2015. She completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2016 which saw her admission to the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory as a solicitor. As Principal she led the College through a remarkable series of challenges and changes, including a series of construction and refurbishment projects which have improved the amenity, safety, and accessibility of the College; the response to The Nous Report with a Cultural Change and Audit Program including changes to the College’s Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures; and careful and prudent management of the College through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mr Alex McKenzie

Principal from February 2024 to February 2025

Mr McKenzie was a behavioural economist, previously working as an advisor with the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Prior to this, he worked as a Senior Consultant for KPMG in the areas of leadership development, organisational change and strategy. Mr McKenzie is an alumnus of the College, having resided at Burgmann from 2016 to 2018 where he was a Residential Advisor and the equivalent of our Gender and Sexuality Education Advocate (Men's); he was also a member of Burgmann Council and Board of Management. Mr McKenzie also has experience working in the Department of Treasury as an Analyst for the Foreign Investment Division.

Mr McKenzie completed his Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 2018 at the ANU and subsequently completed a Graduate Certificate Behavioural Economics from QUT. He serves as a Board member for Friends of Rang'i, a not-for-profit which aims to improve the lives of members of the village of Rang’i in Western Kenya. The charity is dedicated to education and empowerment of all vulnerable people, helping to break the cycle of poverty.

Alex was appointed Deputy Principal of Burgmann College in 2023, and Principal in February 2024.