AUBEA Keynotes

Davina Rooney

Chief Executive Officer, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)

Presentation Title:

Sustainability Trends and Future Partnerships

A property professional with a passion for sustainability, Davina has led the Green Building Council of Australia since 2019. As a qualified engineer, Davina worked on large-scale construction projects in Sydney and London, and spent nearly a year building an award-winning school in the Himalayas. She devoted a decade to driving sustainability at one of Australia’s largest diversified property companies, Stockland, which culminated in Stockland’s recognition as the world’s most sustainable property company. Now leading a member organisation with 550-plus members with a combined value of $46 billion, Davina brings together practical knowledge, on-the-ground experience and a systematic approach to champion leadership in sustainable design and construction. Davina works with government and industry to advocate for supportive policy and transform complex supply chains. Building on a strong legacy of leadership, Davina is elevating the GBCA’s reach and impact into new markets. Davina is on the Board of Evolve Housing and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, as well as Chairing the Sustainable Procurement Roundtable for the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre. The property industry has recognised Davina’s leadership with multiple awards.

David Chandler OAM

New South Wales Building Commissioner

Presentation Title:

The journey from adjunct Professor to Building Commissioner, 2015 – 2022

David Chandler OAM was appointed NSW Building Commissioner in 2019 after an impressive forty-year career in the Australian construction industry. David is improving the quality of construction and restoring trust in the industry through leading the delivery of Construct NSW Reform Strategy in collaboration with the sector. The NSW Reform Strategy has involved in modernising the Building Regulator, shifting focus from reactive to pro-active, with a core reliance on digital capability.

David delivered major infrastructure and urban renewal projects including the new Parliament House in Canberra and Sydney’s Quay Apartments. As Adjunct Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics at Western Sydney University, David helped shape the next generation of construction professionals and founded the Centre for Smart Modern Construction, which invests in new academic and research capabilities for the construction sector. David was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1989 for his services to the construction industry.

Professor Peter Shergold AC

Chancellor, Western Sydney University

Presentation Title

Rethinking Tertiary Education: The Role of IATs

The Board of Trustees elected Professor Peter Shergold AC as its chair and the University's Chancellor in 2010. His term began on 1 January 2011 and has recently been extended until December 2022.

Peter received a B.A. Hons (First Class) in Politics and American Studies from the University of Hull; an M.A. in History at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle; and a PhD in Economics from London School of Economics. He was awarded a Hon.DLitt from the University of New South Wales in 2017. Peter migrated to Australia in 1972 to take up a lecturing position at the University of New South Wales. In 1987, Peter became a CEO in the Australian Public Service (APS) for two decades, working with Prime Ministers and Ministers from both sides of politics.

He wrote a major report on project management of major government programs, Learning from Failure, which was handed to the Commonwealth government in 2015. He has also chaired reviews into Health Providers’ Access to Medicare Card Numbers in 2017, implementation of the National Construction Code, Building Confidence in 2018 and Integration, Employment and Settlement outcome for Refugees, Investing in Refugees, Investing in Australia, in 2019. He was also chair the Forum on Western Sydney Airport 2017-20.

Peter was made a Member in the Order of Australia (AM) for public service on Australia Day 1996 and was presented with the Centenary Medal in 2003. In 2007, he received Australia's highest award, the Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) for service to the community.