Michael Field

The former Premier steps aside after eight years leading his alma mater.

Undergraduate student, schoolteacher, State Member for the North-West seat of Braddon, Premier, University of Tasmania Chancellor.

The community-focused career of Michael Field AC came full circle in January 2013, when he returned to UTAS in the chief governance role.

And now, having handed the leadership of his alma mater over to respected businesswoman and fellow alum Alison Watkins, Michael has taken time to reflect on his more than eight years as the successor to former Chancellor Damian Bugg AM.

Michael said he initially applied for and accepted the leadership position because he was convinced of the University’s importance to the State, and his unassuming view that he could “make a contribution”.

As a political party leader for almost a decade, and Premier of Tasmania between 1989 and 1992, Michael brought an enormous wealth of executive experience to the University Council table.

“Chairing Cabinet, and chairing other bodies as well, enabled me to have views about how organisations should operate at the governance level,” Michael said, from his home at Eaglehawk Neck.

“I also came to the job with the view that you had to involve everyone on Council, and so chairing can facilitate that. So, it’s not a meeting with the Chancellor, it’s a meeting of Council.”

Michael said that one of his biggest initial challenges as Chancellor was overcoming in himself what he described as a common condition among alumni: fixed views on how the University should operate based on their formative years as students.

He said that changing perspectives was a huge challenge for any institution, particularly for larger issues such as the University’s move to the Hobart CBD.

Michael described his biggest achievement as Chancellor as leading an increasingly cohesive Council, where every member was encouraged to participate fully.

He said it was this unity that enabled the leadership group to approach challenges with a common purpose.

“We faced some big issues,” Michael said.

“Obviously the biggest was seeing the role of the University differently, concerning our obligation to provide education on the North-West Coast and the North rather than just being completely Hobart-centric. And, of course, the other one was the move to the city.” And despite the current turbulent and uncertain times, Michael expressed clear optimism regarding the University’s future.

“I think the University at the moment is very well led,” he said.

“I think my successor will be very competent. There’s a clear sense of direction, and there’s a strategic sense with the big issues.”

While another significant career chapter has closed for Michael, don’t expect him to be slowing down any time soon. Between roaming his beachside acreage, keeping up with his five grandchildren, and staying up to date with world affairs, Michael has plenty to keep him occupied.

“I’ve now been out of politics longer than I was in it,” Tasmania’s 38th Premier said.

“Because I got out of politics when I did – I was 50 – I had an attitude then that you have to have physical, emotional and intellectual challenges, and that you need a balance between those.

“That was my view then, it’s my view now, and I will continue along that line because it’s worked for me.”

Michael credited Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black with firmly re-establishing serving the State of Tasmania as the University’s primary mission, which he said ultimately impacted how the University presented itself to the world.

Duncan Abey

Michael Field AC