PROFESSOR Richard Speed left La Trobe University at the end of December 2022, having made a significant contribution to education in Shepparton through his role as Pro Vice Chancellor (Regional).
A highly regarded senior academic and extensively published researcher in Marketing at Melbourne and then La Trobe University, Richard took up the role of Pro Vice Chancellor (Regional) in 2013. In his 10 years as PVC (Regional), Richard led the development, refinement and implementation of the University’s regional strategy – a key aspect of La Trobe’s mission.
As he recently noted, “Regional education was not my issue before I joined La Trobe, but it certainly is now. It is shameful that higher education attainment halves between inner Melbourne and Tullamarine airport and keeps falling as you drive away from Melbourne. It denies individuals opportunities and denies communities the skills they need. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work on an issue so important, and I am immensely grateful to my colleagues across the University, and to our collaborators in TAFEs, schools and community across the state.”
Richard’s expertise and leadership has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities and skills training to Shepparton students and researchers, and in working with our community to understand and respond to workforce needs and other major challenges.
He established and led strong partnerships with our schools, GOTAFE, local government, employers and small businesses, government bodies and community leaders in Shepparton, and is held in very high esteem by these partners.
La Trobe Shepparton Regional Advisory Board chair Lisa McKenzie paid tribute to Richard’s commitment to Shepparton, his advocacy for our regional campus, and the many strong and positive relationships he has built in our community.
“Richard was able to forge and grow many partnerships within the region improving pathways, opportunities and access for students, many of whom were the first in their family to attend university,” Mrs McKenzie said.
Richard’s tireless support for the Shepparton campus building project (due for completion on 2024) is but one example of his commitment).
Richard remains connected with La Trobe as an honorary Professor in the Rural Health School and remains deeply interested in Shepparton happenings and rural educational outcomes.
