The Council of the University of Divinity is constituted under the University of Divinity Act 1910 and accountable to the Victorian Parliament through the Minister for Higher Education. The Council’s constitution provides for up to 16 members:
- Church appointments (11): Two members appointed by each of the Anglican Church, Baptist Union, Churches of Christ, Roman Catholic Church, Uniting Church; and one member appointed by the Lutheran Church
- Official appointments (2): The Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Academic Board
- Council appointments (3): Three members appointed by the Council
Church-appointed and Council-appointed members of the Council are not remunerated except for the Vice-Chancellor who is a full-time employee and the Chair of the Academic Board who is a part-time employee of the University.
The Council membership is monitored through a skills matrix that ensures the Council has the diversity of expertise and experience appropriate to the University and that it maintains a majority of external members (i.e. persons who are not employees, staff or students of the University).
The Council operates within structures established under Regulation 1 and in accordance with the Council Charter.
Council Charter
Current Members of Council
- Chancellor: Dr Graeme Blackman AO FTSE FAICD (appointed by the Anglican Church)
- Deputy Chancellor: Emeritus Professor Gabrielle McMullen AM FRACI (appointed by the Roman Catholic Church)
- Vice-Chancellor: Professor James McLaren (official appointment)
- Chair of Academic Board: Professor Katharine Massam (official appointment)
- Dr Jeanette Baird, Adjunct Professor, Divine Word University (appointed by the Council)
- Professor Annette Braunack-Mayer (appointed by the Lutheran Church of Australia)
- The Reverend Dr Avril Hannah-Jones (appointed by the Uniting Church in Australia)
- Emeritus Professor Anne Hunt OAM FACE (appointed by the Roman Catholic Church)
- The Reverend Dr San Lian (appointed by the Baptist Union of Victoria)
- Mr Terry McCredden (appointed by the Churches of Christ)
- The Reverend Dr Robert Mitchell AM FAICD (appointed by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne)
- The Reverend Robert Morsillo (appointed by the Baptist Union of Victoria)
- Ms Janette Phelan (appointed by the Churches of Christ)
- Professor Natalie Sims (appointed by the Uniting Church in Australia)
- The Reverend Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnstone (appointed by the Council)
Committees of the Council
The Council is supported by standing Committees, which bring together members of Council, staff in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, members of the University’s Colleges and Schools, and external experts. The Terms of Reference for these Committees are found in Regulation 1.
- Finance and Risk Committee
- Governance Committee
- People and Culture Committee
- University Executive
- Vice-Chancellor’s Review Committee