The Honourable Justice Gerald Edward (Tony) Fitzgerald AC KC was the inaugural Chancellor of UniSC (1994–1998). His appointment was a coup for a young institution yet to carve a reputation.

Justice Fitzgerald had a distinguished career as a barrister and judge before becoming a mediator and arbitrator in his retirement. President of the Queensland Court of Appeal, he became a respected household name after The Fitzgerald Inquiry (1987-1989), a commission of inquiry into possible illegal activities and associated police misconduct in Queensland. The Inquiry changed the policing and political landscape of the State. He also chaired the Commission of Inquiry into the Conservation, management and use of K’gari (then Fraser Island) and the Great Sandy Region (1990-1991).

This is the first of three portraits for UniSC completed by Lawrence Daws the others being of UniSC’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Thomas AO and second Chancellor, Ian Kennedy AO. Already considered an iconic Australian painter, Daws was living and working on the Sunshine Coast at the time. Although better known for his landscape painting, his reputation coupled with the ambitions of the young university made his selection to undertake the commissions an obvious decision.

Daws chose to paint Fitzgerald seated against a muted background with few details leaving the focus on the sitter who looks relaxed with his legs casually crossed and hands entwined in his lap. For the portrait, Fitzgerald chose to wear a suit rather than judicial attire or academic dress. This lack of formality could be interpreted as a reflection of Fitzgerald’s no-nonsense attitude.

Ian Kennedy AO was the first Deputy Chancellor (1994–1998) and second Chancellor of UniSC serving from 1998–2007. Kennedy was a grazier and business owner whose beef-processing company in Kilcoy became one of Australia’s major beef producers. Under his leadership, the family-run business also made several industry breakthroughs including the first consignment of chilled beef to Japan and the founding of AUS-MEAT which sets national standards for meat production and processing. Kennedy sold the business and retired in 2007.

This is the second of three portrait commissions for UniSC completed by Lawrence Daws the others being of UniSC’s inaugural Chancellor, Justice Tony Fitzgerald AC KC and inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Thomas AM. Already considered an iconic Australian painter, Daws was living and working on the Sunshine Coast at the time. Although better known for his landscape painting, his reputation coupled with the ambitions of the young university made his selection to undertake these commissions an obvious decision.

Daws chose to paint Kennedy seated against a muted background with few details leaving the focus on the sitter who is gazing intently at the viewer. For the portrait, Kennedy chose to wear academic dress. This firmly places him within the context of tertiary education and could be interpreted as reflecting Kennedy’s belief in the importantce of higher education.

Father John Dobson OAM served as the third Chancellor of UniSC from 2007–2017. In addition to his work as a Catholic priest, Father Dobson was well known in the community for his work seeking support for disadvantaged students and championing quality mental health services for the region. In addition to serving as Chancellor, Dobson was a patron of the UniSC Foundation Board and instrumental in pursuing philanthropic support for the university.

This is the second of two portrait commissions for UniSC completed by Christopher McVinish the other being of UniSC’s second Vice- Chancellor, Professor Greg Hill AO. McVinish is a Katoomba-based painter who has two focus streams in his studio practice: urban landscapes and portraiture. What is common to both is the artist’s interest in suffused light as he believes this element invites the viewer to see the commonplace as special.

This aspect comes into play in the background of this portrait of Dobson. In the portrait, Dobson is standing with his right hand casually resting on the back of a chair and academic robes folded over the other in a stance that mimics poses from classical antiquity. In the background, a gentle light emanates from behind Dobson’s head. These aspects suggest the sitter’s interests in art history, spirituality and the potential for education to inspire.

In 2019, UniSC named one of its most iconic buildings, the Sunshine Coast Library, in honour of founding Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Paul Thomas AM. Professor Thomas became the inaugural Vice-Chancellor in 1996 and led UniSC through massive growth in enrolments and degree options, combating the talent drain from the Sunshine Coast and boosting the region’s status and economy until he retired in 2010.

Now known as the Paul Thomas Library, the three-storey building with its shed-inspired roofline and slatted verandah, was codesigned by architects John Mainwaring and Lawrence Neild and won multiple awards including the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Buildings in 1997. The building reflected Professor Thomas’ vision for the campus as innovative and welcoming where the subtropical climate is embraced through architecture that celebrates the natural environment.

This is the third of three portraits for UniSC completed by Lawrence Daws the others being of UniSC’s inaugural Chancellor, Justice Tony Fitzgerald AC KC and second Chancellor, Ian Kennedy AO. Already considered an iconic Australian painter, Daws was living and working on the Sunshine Coast at the time. Although better known for his landscape painting, his reputation coupled with the ambitions of the young university made his selection to undertake the commissions an obvious decision.
Both Daws’ and Thomas’ interest and connection to architecture and public planning can be seen in the background of the portrait that shows the Sunshine Coast Campus masterplan. Daws’ choice to paint Professor Thomas at his desk working could also be interpreted as recognition of his work building the foundations of UniSC.

Professor Greg Hill AO served as the second Vice-Chancellor of UniSC (2011–2020). He joined the University in 2005 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and was recognised for his teaching innovation, technology transfer to developing countries and work in Indigenous education. During his time as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hill increased opportunities for people from all backgrounds to receive a quality education and extended UniSC’s geographic footprint from the Fraser Coast to Moreton Bay. Professor Hill also championed research in the areas of mental and physical health and the establishment of the Thompson Institute, the High-Performance Student Athlete program and UniSC Clinical Trials during his tenure is evidence of this.

This is the first of two portrait commissions for UniSC completed by Christopher McVinish, the other being of UniSC’s third Chancellor, John Dobson OAM. McVinish is a Katoomba-based painter who has two focus streams in his studio practice: urban landscapes and portraiture. What is common to both is the artist’s interest in suffused light as he believes this element invites the viewer to see the commonplace as special.

McVinish has chosen to paint Professor Hill seated with his left hand at his chin and eyes looking upwards and away from the viewer as if deep in thought. Professor Hill is wearing a suit with a necktie featuring imagery from an Indigenous Australian artist and in the background is a reproduction of an artwork in the UniSC Art Collection by Pintupi artist, Naata Nungurrayi. These aspects reference Professor Hill’s commitment to Aboriginal culture and education.