Western Sydney University honours community and thought leaders

Western Sydney University will honour two distinguished community leaders and a renowned international scholar during the December graduation ceremonies; held on 13 and 14 December at the University’s Parramatta South campus.

Billie Sankovic and Violet Roumeliotis will both receive the title of Community Fellow for outstanding service to the community; while researcher and author, Professor David Rowe, will be made an Emeritus Professor of Western Sydney University.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, said the outsanding achievements of all three individuals deserve to be formally recognised by the University.

"I congratulate all of our award recipients. Each of them has made a profound impact on their communities and made a valuable contribution to their professions,” said Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover.

About the recipients

Billie Sankovic


As Chief Executive Officer of the Western Sydney Community Forum since 2015, Ms Sankovic has shaped social policy and service delivery in Western Sydney. She played a pivotal role in facilitating the State Government’s first Early Intervention Program in New South Wales, now called Brighter Futures.

Violet Roumeliotis

Violet Roumeliotis

Recently awarded Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Ms Roumeliotis provides support services to some of the most vulnerable in our community, including refugees and people with disabilities, as Chief Executive Officer of Settlement Services International.

Professor David Rowe


An internationally-recognised researcher, author and regular media commentator with the University’s Institute for Culture and Society, Professor Rowe’s work on sport, national culture, media representation and globalisation has had a profound impact on scholarly thinking, both in Australia and internationally. He has  published 13 books, given more than 200 academic presentations in Australia and overseas, and published 119 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals.

ENDS

11 December 2017

Photos: Sally Tsoutas

Return to December Graduation celebrated at Western Sydney University

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