Clifford Douglas Blake

Clifford Douglas Blake was born in 1937, Muswellbrook, a rural town in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. Blake went to the University of Sydney to study Agricultural Science and graduated from there in 1958, winning top honours with the University Medal in Agriculture before travelling overseas to further his studies.

In 1971, Blake took on the position of Foundation Principal of the recently established Riverina C A E (College of Advanced Education) and played an extremely important role in the establishment of Charles Sturt University, involving the joining of the Riverina and Bathurst Colleges of Advanced Education.

In August 2001, Blake was appointed Vice - Chancellor of the University of Adelaide following the resignation of Mary O'Kane and pending the appointment of a permanent candidate for this role. Blake was viewed as an excellent choice for the position given his very effective governance of tertiary institutions in the Riverina area during periods of transition and adjustment.

As a person coming from outside Adelaide University he was perceived to have a different but rich background of experience in university management and to be a leader who was used to working within a range of tertiary goals and strategies. He was keen to work with the University Council and fulfil their initiatives. This would involve a cohesive approach that would position the University of Adelaide to take advantage of any opportunities that might arise, especially in research and innovation. Blake pledged that he himself would not be an applicant for the permanent role of Vice -Chancellor, thus underlining the fact that he had no personal ambitions in accepting the post.

Clifford Douglas Blake served for a year and was succeeded by James McWha as permanent appointee in the position.