Catherine Margaret Branson

Catherine Margaret Branson was raised on a farm near Hallett in the mid-north of South Australia.[1]  Both of her parents were fourth generation South Australians and Catherine and her elder brother, Lew Rayner, were the first family members to gain a tertiary education.[2]  In 1970 she graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws.[3]  She graduated again in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts.[4]  The Flinders University awarded her a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in 2012 and, just two years later, she received a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from Macquarie University.[5] 

Catherine began her legal career at the University of Adelaide in 1970 when, immediately upon graduating, she was appointed Tutor in the Department of Law, a position to which she was reappointed in 1971 and 1972.[6]  While still 35 years of age, Catherine became Crown Solicitor for South Australia and Chief Executive Officer of the Attorney-General’s Department; the first female to hold the position of Crown Solicitor in Australia and the first female permanent head of a South Australian Government department.[7]  She practised as a barrister at the Adelaide Bar from 1989, and in 1992 was appointed one of Her Majesty’s Counsel (QC).[8]  Just two years later she was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia becoming only the second woman to serve on a full-time basis as a judge of that court.  During her more than 14 years of judicial service she was recognised for her particular expertise in all aspects of public law.[9] 

Throughout her career Catherine has contributed generously to the community.  A determined advocate for gender equality and for the disadvantaged generally, she was appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2008 and served in that office for four years.  During 2009 she also undertook the role of Human Rights Commissioner.[10]  In 2011 she received the University of Adelaide’s Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australian law and human rights.[11]  In 2018 she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the judiciary and to the law as an advocate for human rights and civil liberties, to judicial administration and professional development, and to governance roles in tertiary education.[12]  Catherine has also held positions as Deputy Chair of the Adelaide Medical Centre for Women and Children; President of the Australian Institute for Judicial Administration; and President of the Human Rights Law Centre.[13]  She has been a member of many national and international bodies, including the National Women’s Advisory Council; the Board of Examiners of the Supreme Court of South Australia; the Board of International Development Law Organisation (based in Rome); the International Association for Judges; and the International Association for Refugee Law Judges, plus Convenor of the latter’s Human Rights Nexus Working Party.[14] 

Catherine’s career at the University of Adelaide is similarly distinguished.  She served as an external member of the Faculty of Law for some years.  In 2013 she joined the University Council, and in 2017 was appointed Deputy Chancellor.[15]  On the 17th July 2020 she became its 17th Chancellor; a position to which she was unanimously reappointed by University Council members for a second term ending 12 July 2024.[16] 

Footnotes:

1. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17^th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

2. The University of Adelaide, Autumn 2014, ‘Fighting for the rights of others’, Adelaidean, Marketing and Communications, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/69723/news69744.html>.

3. Calendar of The University of Adelaide 1970, The Griffin Press, Netley, p. 1365.

4. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

5. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

6. University of Adelaide 1970, ‘Staff card’, University Archives, Series 587, University Retired Staff Records.

7. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022,<https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

8. Flinders University 2012, ‘Citation for the Award of the Degree of Laws honoris causa to The Hon Catherine Branson QC’, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/about/citations/citation-catherine-branson.pdf>.

9. The University of Adelaide, Autumn 2014, ‘Fighting for the rights of others’, Adelaidean, Marketing and Communications, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/69723/news69744.html>.

10. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

11. The University of Adelaide, 2011 ‘Citation for The Honourable Justice Catherine Branson QC (BA 1977, LLB 1970)’, Adelaide.

12. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

13. The University of Adelaide, 2011 ‘Citation for The Honourable Justice Catherine Branson QC (BA 1977, LLB 1970)’, Adelaide.

14. The University of Adelaide, 2011 ‘Citation for The Honourable Justice Catherine Branson QC (BA 1977, LLB 1970)’, Adelaide.

15. Ellis, David 2020, ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.

16. Black, Elisa 2022, ‘Chancellor Catherine Branson reappointed for second term’, Newsroom, The University of Adelaide, viewed 20 July 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2022/02/15/chancellor-catherine-branson-reappointed-for-second-term>.

Image:

Catherine Margaret Branson (July 2020). ‘University of Adelaide appoints its 17th Chancellor’, Media release, The University of Adelaide, viewed 19 December 2022,
<https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2020/07/14/university-of-adelaide-appoints-its-17th-chancellor>.