The La Trobe University community has lost one of its most steadfast contributors – former La Trobe University Chancellor and long-serving Council member – Dr Sylvia Walton AO, who died on Saturday 27 January 2024.

Sylvia’s time at La Trobe University spanned many years: she completed her Bachelor of Education in the 1970s, joined the Council in 1993, was elected Deputy Chancellor in 1997, and succeeded Professor Nancy Millis as Chancellor in 2006. She was also Chair of the Equity, Access and Personal Welfare Committee for a long period.

Prior to her service at La Trobe, Sylvia was a passionate and visionary educator. She began her career as a History and Geography teacher, soon rising to leadership positions at Caulfield Grammar School (Wheelers Hill), Tintern Grammar (Melbourne), St Catherine’s School (Melbourne) and Lorreto College (Adelaide).

Sylvia’s outstanding leadership as Chancellor and Council Member led to the award of Doctorate of Education (honoris causa) in 2011. This award recognised her work in addressing issues of access in higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Sylvia’s focus on ensuring opportunities for disadvantaged students extended to practical support – with the establishment of the Sylvia Walton Scholarship in 2012; and the Sylvia Walton Honours Scholarship for Autistic psychology students in 2019. She also served as the Chair of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre Advisory Committee from 2016 to 2021.

Among the many honours Sylvia received was her 2014 induction into the Victorian Honour Roll, which recognises the achievements of exceptional women. The then Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO observed “Dr Walton is an outstanding educational leader with a reputation as one of Australia’s foremost educators and she strongly deserves this honour… For many years she has remained deeply dedicated to addressing issues of access to – and participation in – higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

That same year, the Sylvia Walton Building on the Bundoora campus was opened. Fittingly, this building houses La Trobe College Australia students, who are completing pathway courses that enable them to gain entry to La Trobe degrees.

Upon the conclusion of her tenure as Chancellor, Sylvia remarked “The collegial atmosphere at La Trobe University during my 17 years as a member of Council has been one of my greatest joys.”

We remember Dr Sylvia Walton AO with enormous admiration and respect for her contribution to La Trobe’s advancement. We offer our sincere condolences to her husband Robin Walton, son Evan and extended family. She will be sorely missed at La Trobe.

You can watch the memorial service recording here.