ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock.
I felt inspired over the weekend as I watched the Federal election result unfold. Witnessing the way in which our national leaders reacted to such historic wins and losses.
The ability to be generous in defeat and humble in victory speaks to our values. I noted in particular the unscripted moment when Albanese shushed Labor supporters who booed when Dutton was mentioned and reminded his supporters "That's not the way we do things in Australia; we treat everyone with respect". Also, the way in which Dutton acknowledged his successor, Labor's Ali France, reverently passing her the baton of representation to reassure the people of Dickson.
At the end of a long, unrelenting election campaign I breathed a sigh of relief to hear our nation's leaders conducting themselves with grace – something we at ECU take as simply "the way we do things here".
The senior team and I have already begun working with the re-elected Labor Governments at both State and Federal levels to help deliver the outcomes we aspire to achieve for our students and communities.
There will no doubt be challenges ahead as there have been in the past, but I'm confident we will thrive because we can listen and respond; operate efficiently and effectively; and above all, always conduct ourselves in line with our values.
