Dr Dawn Casey PSM was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa at Friday’s graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Science.
This achievement recognises Casey's journey into public life and academia, and her contributions to Australian society and culture. Casey has been meeting difficult challenges all her life, from growing up as one of six children in Queensland to leaving school at an early age and eventually putting herself through business school.
As the current director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (the Powerhouse Museum), she oversees a unique and diverse collection of 385,000 objects spanning history, science, technology, design and more. Her experience in establishing and repositioning museums has informed developments at the Powerhouse since 2008.
Casey has a strong background in the transformation of museums and their culture. As Director of the National Museum of Australia from 1999 – 2003, she led the transition of the museum from an organisation of some 40 staff with an annual budget of $4 million to a fully operational museum with 210 paid staff, 200 volunteers, and an annual budget of $43 million. The museum also attracted approximately two million visitors within the first two and a half years of opening.
Prior to her appointment as Director, Casey led the authority responsible for the construction and development of the museum, which was conceived as a Centenary of Federation project. She has also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Museum, from 2005 to 2007.
Before joining the museum sector, Casey held several key federal positions including period in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Her experiences include major contributions to Indigenous policies and programs and Australia’s cultural heritage nationally.
She was also involved in the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and initiated the joint Commonwealth/State response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody as a senior executive in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Casey was Assistant Director General AusAID where her responsibilities included multilateral development banks, the United Nations, World Health Organisation and other international programs.
Casey is currently an Adjunct Professor to the University of Queensland, Griffith University and Murdoch University and serves on a number of boards and committees and advisory bodies. Casey’s awards for achievements include: Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities; Honorary Doctorate of Arts, Charles Sturt University; Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy, University of Queensland; Australia Day Public Service Medal; Centenary of Federation Medal; three Commonwealth Public Service Australia Day Medals and the Clem Cummings Award for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
This achievement recognises Casey's journey into public life and academia, and her contributions to Australian society and culture. Casey has been meeting difficult challenges all her life, from growing up as one of six children in Queensland to leaving school at an early age and eventually putting herself through business school.
As the current director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (the Powerhouse Museum), she oversees a unique and diverse collection of 385,000 objects spanning history, science, technology, design and more. Her experience in establishing and repositioning museums has informed developments at the Powerhouse since 2008.
Casey has a strong background in the transformation of museums and their culture. As Director of the National Museum of Australia from 1999 – 2003, she led the transition of the museum from an organisation of some 40 staff with an annual budget of $4 million to a fully operational museum with 210 paid staff, 200 volunteers, and an annual budget of $43 million. The museum also attracted approximately two million visitors within the first two and a half years of opening.
Prior to her appointment as Director, Casey led the authority responsible for the construction and development of the museum, which was conceived as a Centenary of Federation project. She has also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Museum, from 2005 to 2007.
Before joining the museum sector, Casey held several key federal positions including period in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Her experiences include major contributions to Indigenous policies and programs and Australia’s cultural heritage nationally.
She was also involved in the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and initiated the joint Commonwealth/State response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody as a senior executive in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Casey was Assistant Director General AusAID where her responsibilities included multilateral development banks, the United Nations, World Health Organisation and other international programs.
Casey is currently an Adjunct Professor to the University of Queensland, Griffith University and Murdoch University and serves on a number of boards and committees and advisory bodies. Casey’s awards for achievements include: Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities; Honorary Doctorate of Arts, Charles Sturt University; Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy, University of Queensland; Australia Day Public Service Medal; Centenary of Federation Medal; three Commonwealth Public Service Australia Day Medals and the Clem Cummings Award for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
