The University of Queensland today pays tribute to one of the most influential figures in the history of the University and the State, the Honourable Sir Llew Edwards AC.

Sir Llew, who passed away on 26 May 2021, oversaw the University as Chancellor for 16 years from 1993 to 2009.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AO said Sir Llew, who was also a medical graduate of UQ, was an outstanding yet humble man who transformed Queensland.

“Sir Llew was generous and courteous to all and provided UQ with a wealth of experience during his time as the University’s twelfth Chancellor,” Professor Terry said.

“He built enormous goodwill for our University and the Australian higher education sector.

“No doubt many UQ graduates have fond memories of their graduations, sharing high fives on stage with Sir Llew.  

“In everything he did, he was unfailingly generous, engaged and inclusive.”

UQ Chancellor Mr Peter Varghese AO also paid tribute to Sir Llew.

“Sir Llew Edwards was for decades a key figure in the development of the state of Queensland,” Mr Varghese said.

“From his role in the Queensland Parliament and as a senior minister through to his leadership of World Expo ‘88 and as Chancellor for sixteen years, he not only served his state with dedication but was a driving force for positive change in our community.

“On behalf of the Senate and the UQ community, I extend our deep condolences to Sir Llew’s wife, Lady Jane Edwards AM, children David and Mark, and his grandchildren.”

Faculty of Medicine Historian, Emeritus Professor John Pearn AO RFD said Sir Llew was one of the faculty’s most famous graduates.

“He came to Medicine as a relatively mature-aged student, with the experience and skills of his work as an electrician,” Emeritus Professor Pearn said.

“Based in Ipswich, he brought to his studies a pragmatic outlook on life, one steeped in community service.

“After graduation, he entered politics and in his roles as Deputy Premier and as Treasurer, he had a special sympathy and advocacy for the promotion of best-practice healthcare.

“His enduring legacy followed his successful executive role in making World Expo in Brisbane in 1988 such a success.

“In retirement, he served his University with great distinction as Chancellor. His legacy is the esteem with which he is held by many thousands of medical graduates."

Sir Llew was a member of the UQ Senate for almost 25 years, and he oversaw the University as Chancellor from 1993 to 2009.

During his 16-year tenure as Chancellor, he chaired more than 100 meetings of UQ’s Senate and presided over 300 graduation ceremonies.

Born in Ipswich in 1935, Sir Llew initially trained as an electrician, before enrolling to study medicine at UQ.

He graduated as a doctor in 1965 but maintained a close connection to his alma mater throughout the rest of his life.

He was elected to Queensland Parliament as the Member for Ipswich in 1972, became the Health Minister in 1974 and the Deputy Premier and Treasurer in 1978, and retired from Parliament in 1983.

In 1984 he was appointed by the state and federal governments as Executive Chairman of World Expo 88 and served full-time until December 31, 1988.

In 2009, the Sir Llew Edwards Building on the St Lucia campus was named in his honour.

Image above left: Sir Llew Edwards and Lady Jane Edwards AM in front of the Sir Llew Edwards building, UQ St Lucia campus.