Ms Gaye McMath is ECU's sixth Chancellor.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has held a traditional ceremony to mark the formal investiture of its sixth Chancellor, Ms Gaye McMath.
Held at Joondalup campus, the vibrant ceremony was led by ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock, who on behalf of University Council, passed the University Mace as a symbol of the authority of office, the protection of academic freedom and the search for knowledge and truth to Ms McMath.
The Honorable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, presided over the formal investiture. In his address, he highlighted the Chancellor's role as a guiding force for ECU's governance and its connection to the broader community.
The Chancellor's role is a guiding force for ECU's governance.
Ms McMath shared a heartfelt speech with the ECU community: "Today is not just a personal milestone for me, it's a collective step forward for this university," she said.
"ECU is a place that fosters ambition, nurtures talent, and makes a lasting impact on our communities. I am honored to serve as your Chancellor and to work together with all of you to shape the future of this incredible institution.
"ECU is a university defined by its commitment to excellence, diversity, and community engagement," Ms McMath added.
The Coastal Scottish Pipe Band led the Procession.
An historic ceremony
The procession was led by the Coastal Scottish Pipe Band, a celebrated group with deep roots in both ECU and the broader Western Australian community.
Formed in 1898, it is the oldest pipe band in Western Australia and features a diverse membership, including ECU students and staff.
The ceremony was complemented by musical performances from ECU WAAPA music students, Tayah Crothers, Jack Eccleston, Cass Evans-Ocharern and Chris Jones.
WAAPA music students performed for ceremony guests.
A member of ECU Council since 2022, and Chair of the University's Quality Audit and Risk Committee, Ms Gaye McMath has significant governance experience and a successful track record in our sector. She comes to the role of Chancellor following an executive career of almost four decades, including extensive experience in non-executive director roles and 15 years in higher and international education.
Ms McMath was the Chief Operating Officer (formerly Executive Director, Finance and Resources and Chief Financial Officer) at the University of Western Australia (UWA) for 12 years, and prior to that was Pro-Vice-Chancellor Resources and CFO at Murdoch University for three years. In 2016, she was appointed to the position of Executive Director, Perth Education City, a major strategic initiative of the Western Australian Higher Education Council working on behalf of all five WA universities and the Minister for Education.
