A message from Associate Vice-Chancellor (Victoria) Dr John Ballard: Last year we farewelled a number of long-serving members of the St. Patrick’s Campus, including the celebration of Mr Paul Hoy’s retirement as the longest serving member of the Victorian Chapter of ACU.
Paul and his wife Diana were present at a post-Chapter dinner in November hosted by the Vice Chancellor and attended by Archbishop Comensoli, representative members of Senate, The Hon. Justice Timothy Ginnane, Chair of the Victorian Chapter and Chapter colleagues. Praise was plentiful and Paul’s extensive contribution duly acknowledged.
A retired member of Melbourne’s legal fraternity, Paul was an ardent supporter for the establishment of Australia’s first Catholic university and has worked tirelessly for more than 30 years in helping to realise a vision for Catholic higher education in Australia. Paul drafted the legal structures of ACU providing, with great foresight, the basis for the operations and growth of a multi-state institution – a national university. The historian John Hirst in his book Australia’s Catholic University: the first twenty-five years noted that, 'Only someone with his [Paul’s] skill in company law could have designed the manoeuvres which brought all entities together and ensured the combined body had the right to operate a Catholic university.
He was a member of the inaugural Senate of ACU, a long serving member of the Company, a member of Chapter from inception and Chair for 22 years until 2018. Amongst his many achievements, Paul was instrumental in the establishment of the law school in Melbourne.
Throughout his life Paul has faithfully served the Church, in particular the Archdiocese of Melbourne, as an adviser on constitutional and taxation matters, as well as being instrumental in establishing a remuneration and retirement foundation for priests. Acknowledging a lifetime of service to the Church he received one of the Holy See’s highest honours in 2015, a Knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great and was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday 2017 Honours List for significant service to the Catholic Church, and to the Coptic Orthodox Church, through a range of administrative, financial and legal advisory roles.
Paul has now formally retired but his passion, support and advocacy on behalf of the university remains undiminished.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven GCSG presenting Mr Paul Hoy AM with a bronze statue of St. Patrick.
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