Former Wallaby to present at St Leo’s event

Wallaby great and University of Queensland alumnus Paul McLean MBE will be the star at the Archbishop Sir James Duhig Lecture at UQ on 8 September.

Mr McLean will feature at UQ’s St Leo’s College’s largest annual public event, following in the footsteps of dignitaries such as former Prime Minister John Howard, journalist Kerry O’Brien and Former Lieutenant General Peter Cosgrove.

He will speak on ‘The Cultural Development of Australian Society’.

St Leo’s College Head Stephen Foley said Mr McLean’s success on and off the field made him an ideal speaker.

“Paul is a great  role model for the Residents of St Leo’s and the wider UQ community,” Mr Foley said.

“He played for the Wallabies while studying at the University of Queensland  and went on to become president of the Australian Rugby Union.

“Post rugby, Paul pursued a successful career in real estate and is now CEO of Savills Australia and New Zealand.

“He’s a high achiever and has made a positive impact on society –  two important values that we foster at St Leo’s.”

Mr McLean studied a dual Bachelor of Economics and Commerce while living at Emmanuel College.

“Though Paul’s application to St Leo’s was declined in 1978,  if he applied again we’d welcome him with open arms,” Mr Foley said.

The 2016 speaker has also been selected.

“High Court judge Justice Patrick Keane AC will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Sir James Duhig Lecture,” Mr Foley said.

Any member of the UQ community who might like to attend is invited to arrive at the Advanced Engineering Building at 6.15pm on Thursday 8 September.

Media: Stephen Foley, s.foley@stleos.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3878 0600.