Honorary Doctor of Laws
Citation delivered by Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of Margaret Beazley as a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) on 22 April 2026.
Chancellor, I present to you Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales.
Her Excellency is a distinguished jurist, public servant and leader whose career has been defined by service to the law, to the people of New South Wales, and to the advancement of justice and human rights in Australia.
Admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1975, Governor Beazley embarked on a legal career that would span more than four decades and help shape the profession she served. As a barrister, she developed a reputation for intellectual precision and integrity, representing clients across a wide range of matters, including landmark cases concerning Indigenous land rights and native title.
Her judicial career was marked by a series of historic appointments that broke new ground for women in law. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989, she went on to become the first woman judge of the Federal Court of Australia in 1993. In 1996, she achieved further distinction as the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal and subsequently the first woman to serve as its President. Through these roles, she demonstrated exceptional judicial leadership and helped pave the way for greater gender equity within the legal profession.
Beyond the bench, Governor Beazley has made enduring contributions to law reform and public policy.
As Chair of the New South Wales Law Reform Commission from 2000 to 2012, she oversaw significant reforms that strengthened the accessibility and fairness of the law. Her work as a lawyer and judge has had a lasting impact on the protection and advancement of human rights in Australia, including matters affecting Indigenous communities and vulnerable groups.
In recognition of her service, Governor Beazley has received numerous honours, including appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996 and, in 2019, elevation to Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the people of New South Wales. She has also been recognised by her peers through awards acknowledging her leadership, mentorship and lifelong contribution to the legal profession.
On 2 May 2019, Governor Beazley was sworn in as the 39th Governor of New South Wales. In this role, she has brought to public office a deep commitment to education, youth leadership, social justice and community engagement, serving the people of New South Wales with distinction and dignity.
Governor Beazley shares a longstanding and meaningful connection with the University of Wollongong. She has engaged with the University through the delivery of the Goldring Lecture in 2021, consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the opening of major University facilities including the Jillian Broadbent Building and the Arto Hardy Family Biomedical Innovation Hub.
Through an extraordinary career defined by leadership, integrity and service, Governor Beazley exemplifies the highest ideals of the legal profession and public life.
Chancellor, it is a privilege to present Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC for admission to the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.