Release date: 25/05/2006

ACU National Honours David Wenham

Melbourne, 25 May 2006: Leading Australian actor, David Wenham has been awarded Australian Catholic University’s (ACU National) highest honour, Doctor of the University (honoris causa), at graduations taking place in Melbourne today.

The honour has been bestowed upon David by the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts. He is also strongly committed to social and environmental issues.

Speaking about David’s achievements, ACU National Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Sheehan AO said, “David has successfully entertained us all with his varied roles over the last decade and a half. He moves easily between the mediums of stage television and film as well as comfortably between comedy and sorrow. I know he sees film as a medium in which hard issues can be raised, in ways that also address challenging questions for the audience to consider, such as in the film Molokai and his latest TV series on East Timor.

“David has already been recognised by his professional peers and international films critics. ACU National has today honoured him for his outstanding achievements as an actor, humanitarian, and advocate for the development of the performing arts in Australia. He is an inspiration to all and particularly to today’s ACU National graduates.”

On accepting his Doctorate, David said: “I am extraordinarily privileged to be receiving an honorary doctorate from a university that puts so much emphasis on social justice. It’s exciting to be here with all the graduates as they celebrate their academic success and I would like to congratulate them. It’s a momentous occasion for them as they begin their professional careers and can touch the lives of our community.”

Almost 1000 students from ACU National’s Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) are graduating at the two ceremonies taking place at Melbourne Town Hall.

Australian Catholic University (ACU National) - established as Australia’s only Catholic, national, publicly funded university - is open to all. The University empowers its students and staff with a strong sense of social responsibility and concern for the moral and ethical dimensions of their study and their professional and personal lives.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Two graduation ceremonies are taking place for ACU National students on 25 May at the Melbourne Town Hall

• 589 students graduate from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences at the morning ceremony

• 398 students graduate from the Faculty of Education at the evening ceremony

• David Wenham is being honoured at the Faculty of Arts and Science and Faculty of Education ceremony taking place at morning ceremony.

• Justice Susan Crennan will also be receiving an Honorary Doctorate at the Faculty of Education graduation ceremony taking place in the evening for her extraordinary service to the judiciary, to the legal profession and the Australian Community

• Media are invited to interview graduates such as Rebecca Lean. Rebecca has graduated in a Youth Workers degree and is already working with disadvantaged adolescents to reintegrate them into the community through a unique healthy eating project

• High Resolution images are available upon request