Chamber President Michael Ryan now has some additional letters in front of his name after receiving an ‘Award of the Degree of Doctor of the University‘ given by Federation University.
The prestigious award of degree of Doctor of the University Honoris Causa is in recognition of his many years of service to the university.
In a media release Michael’s many contributions were acknowledged;
Mr Michael Ryan is one of Western Victoria’s eminent community leaders. He has also provided distinguished service to Federation University Council, not only as Chair of the critically important Finance Committee during a time of significant expansion and growth during a period of immense challenges to the sector, also as a distinguished representative for The Wimmera communities served by the University.
Michael is currently the president of the Ballan and District Chamber of Commerce and has previously served the members of Horsham as a member of the Horsham Rural City Council from 2005 to 2012 which included two years as Mayor. Michael has been involved in several community projects such as The Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Plan, The Wimmera Mallee Sustainability Alliance, and the Horsham Art Gallery whilst also supporting other art projects.
Mr Ryan joined the Council and the Finance Committee on 1 July 2012 and was a major contributor to the successful financial transition from the University of Ballarat to Federation University Australia. In 2015 Michael took over as Chair of the Finance Committee and then the Chair of the combined Resources Committee until 31 December 2019 when he decided to step back to be a committee member. In addition, Michael has also served on the Council Executive Committee, Infrastructure Committee, Audit & Risk Management Committee, Investment Management Committee and Senior Appointments & Remuneration Committee.
Michael remains a consultant providing audit and assurance services to the Small Corporate and Not-for-Profit sectors, representing a key stakeholder group of the University. Michael has over 40 years of tax, audit and financial experience beginning the finance industry in 1977. He has held a number of senior management positions within the finance and commerce field and has previously worked in Public Accountancy and business management in regional Australia.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Business – Accounting from RMIT and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand. Michael is a Registered Company Auditor and is a member of the Regional Accountants Advisory Committee – ICAA as well as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Please join me in congratulating Michael and with our sincerest gratitude, honouring him for his service to the university, with the degree of Doctor of the University Honoris Causa.
* Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley (pictured with Dr Ryan)