Former Prime Minister John Howard will receive an honorary doctorate from Bond University in Queensland today, although I can’t find details of what Mr. Howard will become an honorary doctor at this time.
John Howard, in my opinion, deserves a lot of credit for his mostly excellent four terms as Prime Minister, however I wonder if this particular doctorate is to do with his time as Prime Minister, or if it’s related to his long-term friendship of both Bond University and Chancellor Trevor C Rowe AM.
Regardless, I think the title of “doctor” a fitting tribute to a man who will go down in history as one of Australia’s best Prime Ministers.
Update: Bond University’s Acting Marketing & Communications Manager, Amanda Elms, was kind enough to send through some details about Mr. Howard’s award this morning. Unfortunately I was away from the computer at the time and as such was not able to update this blog post. Better late than never I suppose.
Former Prime Minister John Howard will receive the degree of Doctor of the University from Bond University Saturday in recognition of his long and distinguished service to Australia, his contribution to economic and social policy reform, and his support of a diversified higher education sector which recognised the valued contribution of non-government universities in Australia.
[..]
Bond University Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Stable said: “John Howard, through his policies, recognised and supported a more diverse higher education sector, which if you look at the North American example is critical in a world class education system.’’
A very well-deserved award. Congratulations Mr./Dr. Howard! End Update
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Doctor John Howard"
#1 Comment By padders On February 14, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Somehow I don’t think John Howard will be changing his letterhead. The use of the honorary title Dr in the community is widespread, and in breach of the terms of the honorary doctorate itself. To the best of my knowledge such doctorates are for use only on the campus of the university that awards them.
#2 Comment By Samuel On February 14, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Very true padders, and I would be very surprised if he were to change his letterhead. None-the-less, he is a very deserving award recipient.
#3 Comment By hunter On February 17, 2009 @ 11:43 am
It should be obvious that any honour such as has been awarded should, like Justice, be seen to be deserved. Probably more than fifty per cent of Australians believee the award was decidedly unjust and particularly the causa as expressed. Howard scraped in four times …true.Distinguished? is it possible the University doesn’t know this man’s sorry history? Or rather lack of ‘sorry’? Of preemptive war, of Pacific Solutions’, of ‘Children Overboard of guard dogs on warves , of imaginary W.M.D’s ,of tacit approval of an allie’s attitude to the torture of an Australian in an illegal prison. Well , Bond university, because of this history he has a well deserved extinguishes career, thank God, and a Doctorate from you will diminish the value of the honour to all other recipients. At least , I suppose you have given an award to only the second P.M .in history to lose his seat! You should have made him Chancellor of Bond, you deserve him! ‘
#4 Comment By Samuel On February 17, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Hunter must be angry, because it’s usually the writing of the angry which ends up with as many rushed mistakes as that comment.
Hunter, you’re welcome to your opinion, but let me just say that “sorry” ranks among the biggest mistakes of the Rudd government, although it does have its benefit in that we are now finally seeing proof that “the next step” is never enough for the more radical aborigines…I have a solution for this which should satisfy them, and I’ll publish it in the coming days.
The war in Iraq has freed the Iraqi people from a tyrant, and we are winning this war, violence in Iraq has diminished significantly and they are now embracing a democratic system.
Are you referring to the convicted terrorist David Hicks when you talk about an Australian in an “illegal” prison? He got what was coming to him and he is lucky that he didn’t get worse.
As for John Howard losing his seat, I have to ask the question, whatever happened to Maxine McKew? The parachuted shining star whose purpose was to distract John Howard from the national scene and force him to spend more time in his own constituency, to the detriment of the entire Liberal Party candidacy. She spent so much time in the limelight in the campaign, and now she has a relatively unimportant parliamentary secretary role?
Star power and a demographic change cost John Howard his seat more than a national mood swing.
I’d love to keep discussing this Hunter…please do come back, I get the distinct impression that you would love to take me to task here.
#5 Comment By hunter On February 17, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
I don’t wish to take any misguided worshipper to task,Samuel….quite Biblical that. Love you, hate your sin, as the saying goes.Howard had really a most undistinguished career for two thirds of the time in Parliament in my opinion, apart from engendering the publlc slanging assessment of his character by two of his senior colleagues in aan overheard and unforgivably published episode. However, I don’t know Mr.Howard personally and after reviewing his policies for eleven and a half dreadful years, have no desire to do so. My gripe is the peculiarly unsuitability for any honour for his record.
Bill Hayden famously said of another Liberal defeat that quote ‘a drover’s dog could have won!’ The public was fed up to the back teeth with little Johnny Howard!
The fact that he was defeated by a charming intelligent woman must be a Godsend to the electorate, although you, Samuel, expect her to also give evidence of being Prime Minister material immediately.
David Hicks was a case to cause shame to the U.S.ofA as well as Australia and reeked of illegallity and mental blackmail. To think Bush has the impertinence to hand out Freedomn medals …..and guess who got one!
I won’t list his infamies again but it might be more realistic to get the opinion of one of his own Senators who made a pithy comment about having to sort out something or other, or even one of his unfortunate ministers dismissed to the scaffold, for no really good reason. Talked to someo ne not acceptable to the Fuhrer, I suppose
Finally, Democracy is best fought for, not gifted by foeighers who had dealt with and supported their oppressors for years.
Oh, and by the way , I am not an angry man, just disgusted and in no particular party, However I do love a good adversary, so , i know its almost impossible, but i would be interested in anything good ypu may like to present about Mr. Howard..
#6 Comment By Talos On February 18, 2009 @ 9:41 am
Samuel, I just wanted you to know that Hunter is known to me through his ABC radio commentary. The spelling errors that have appeared in his comments here stem not from anger, but from the fact that he only has 15% of what is to considered ‘normal’ vision.
While John Howard is not one of Hunter’s favourite people, his dislike does not affect his capacity to communicate effectively.
#7 Comment By Samuel On February 18, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Talos, Hunter, under the circumstances I am sorry.
Most of the people who come to this blog, register, and post a strong opinion against someone or something, and fill it with typographical errors tend to have done so in a rush, caused by their own anger at the subject. They tend to be venting steam.
I’m sorry if I caused any offence, it was not my intention.
Hunter, I will reply to your comment shortly, and I will return your call. The comment tonight, the call in the morning.
#8 Comment By hunter On February 19, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
I feel rather embarrassed that the secret of my lousy spelling is revealed. I hope you are in no doubt ,Samuel, I plead no quarter and I expect you, as a gentleman, to lay on with a will, accepting the fact that I might be wrong in my arguments, [not much chance of that!] and would obviously benefit from a bit of sound advice. So, ‘have at me then, the game’s afoot’ as the Bard might say ;cry God for hunter Ozzy and St.Samuel!’