Vale Professor Trevor Waring AM
The University of Newcastle Community is deeply saddened by the passing of former Chancellor Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring AM.
For five decades, Professor Trevor Waring AM made a significant and enduring contribution to the University of Newcastle, as a student, a leader in clinical psychology and through and beyond his period of service as Chancellor from 2004 to 2012.
Professor Waring began his working life at BHP’s Newcastle steel works before enrolling at the University in 1966 to study psychology as a mature age student. Following a distinguished career extending over 40 years, he retired from practising psychology in June 2011 but remained connected with the profession and with the University community.
In 1985, Professor Waring was elected to the Council of the University of Newcastle and in 1995 he became a Conjoint Professor of Psychology. In 1997 he was appointed as Deputy Chancellor and on 1 May 2004 he became Chancellor, a position he held until May 2012. He was the first graduate of the University and the first Newcastle resident to be appointed Chancellor, and he is warmly remembered for his ability to connect with staff and students alike.
Chancellor, Paul Jeans, said that Professor Waring’s commitment and dedication to the University and to the discipline of psychology was remarkable.
“Trevor played a pivotal leadership role in the psychology profession and in the development of suicide prevention policy across Australia, and the calibre of his contributions was recognised in 2004 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding work in mental health and psychology,” he said.
Professor Waring’s contributions were recognised by many accolades through his career, which he received with characteristic humility. He was the recipient of the 1982 University of Newcastle Newton-John Award and in 2001 was awarded a Convocation Medal for Professional Excellence from the University. He received the 2011 Australian Psychology Society President’s Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology.
His energy and commitment to his work was reflected in his service for extended periods as the Chair of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and as a member of the Hunter New England District Health Board. He was a Director of the Australian Psychological Society, President of the NSW Psychologists Registration Board and Chair of the National Council of Psychologists Registration Board for 14 years.
He will be particularly remembered by his friends and colleagues as an authentic leader who spoke with great warmth, wit and wisdom and who was in great demand as a plenary speaker on a broad range topics close to his heart.
He remained a passionate advocate and champion of the University of Newcastle alumni body throughout his lifetime, including as Patron of the Hunter Alumni Network and Chair of the C50 Advisory Committee, guiding and supporting the University’s 50th Anniversary celebrations throughout 2015. Trevor’s ability to connect with alumni across the world – no matter their field of endeavour, age or achievement was grounded in a deep interest in the importance of the university in the lives and futures of each graduate.
Trevor will be sorely missed by our whole university community. Our thoughts go to Trevor’s wife, Helen, and their children Janice, John, Cathy and Peter and their families at this sad time.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.