Murdoch University has welcomed a record number of new graduates, including record-setting participation by students from Bhutan.

Three Honorary Doctorates were also awarded to outstanding, influential leaders during graduation week.

Jim Morrison, a senior Noongar man and Traditional Custodian from Mineng Goreng Country, was awarded a Doctor of the University.

He is a founding member of Reconciliation WA, Chief Executive of West Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, and a pivotal advocate for Aboriginal advancement for five decades.

The Honourable Ralph Simmonds was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his esteemed career as a Supreme Court judge, his work shaping the laws of Western Australia and the teaching of law in Western Australia, including his instrumental role in establishing Murdoch’s Law School.

Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Tseyring Pem Wangchuck was awarded a Doctor of the University for her commitment to changing lives and society for the better through accessible education.

Her Majesty’s work has benefited her own country, but more widely, made an impact right across the globe, including at Murdoch University. 

In an historic moment for the University, it is understood two of the graduation ceremonies held represented the largest quota of Bhutanese students to graduate together ever, anywhere, at any time - including in Bhutan.

The following are the citations printed for the awarding of the Honorary Doctorates:

The Honourable Ralph Simmonds: Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)

Image: The Honourable Justice Ralph Simmonds

The Honourable Justice Ralph Simmonds is a highly respected legal figure in Australia, particularly in Western Australia. He has had a significant career, marked by his work as a judge on the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Ralph was instrumental in the establishment of Murdoch University’s Law School. He was Foundation Dean when the Law School opened in 1992 until 1995, then again from 1997 to November 2003.

Ralph was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2004, where he served with distinction for 12 years. During this time he heard cases in civil, commercial, and criminal law. His judgments in complex commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, and contract cases were widely regarded and contributed significantly to the development of Western Australian law.

Prior to his judicial appointment, Ralph was a member of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia. In this role, he contributed to reforms that sought to modernise and improve the legal framework of the State. He was also extensively involved in the commission’s review of the role of Aboriginal customary law.

Ralph was instrumental in the establishment of the Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service Inc. (SCALES) a creation that has been of significant benefit to the community and also Murdoch students. SCALES provides free legal advice, information and representation to low-income citizens while allowing students to develop legal skills, working under supervision on real cases.

Ralph is Chair of Murdoch’s Banksia Association, a community group of dedicated individuals who make ongoing contributions to the University. He also remains highly involved with the Murdoch University Law School. Hon Justice Ralph Simmonds has shaped the teaching of law at Western Australia’s second university – Murdoch University - the futures of many of our students, and the laws of our State.

Mr James (Jim) Morrison: Doctor of the University (honoris causa)

Image: Jim Morrison receiving his award from Murdoch University Chancellor Gail McGowan

James (Jim) Morrison is a senior Noongar man and Traditional Custodian from Mineng Goreng Country on WA’s Southern Coast. Jim is a founding member of Reconciliation WA, has been the Aboriginal Co-Chair to the National Stolen Generations Alliance three times and is the Chief Executive of West Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation. 

Jim seeks acknowledgement, healing and redress for the children forcibly removed from their families, country and culture. Jim founded the organisation Yokai: Healing Our Spirit to help heal the spirits of the Stolen Generations. In that role, he championed the Mia Mias memorial in Wellington Square that acknowledges the Stolen Generations. Each year Yokai hosts Sorry Day commemorations in Perth.

One of Jim’s latest achievements is the documentary ‘Genocide in the Wildflower State’, produced by Yoki Healing our Spirit. The emotionally powerful documentary uses spoken accounts of Stolen Generations survivors and their family members, together with archival images and historical documents, to produce a deeply moving and disturbing exposé of the historic, widespread practice of removing Aboriginal children from their families.

Jim has been an uncompromising activist, advocate and leader in pivotal Aboriginal advancement for five decades. He has worked passionately to address the mental health and suicide issues present in his community, as well as issues involving equity in access to culturally safe services in State and Commonwealth Governments; overdue prison reforms; Aboriginal employment; education and training; equity in universities; the protection of young street people; and the formation and management of non-government agencies providing services to Aboriginal families and their broader communities.

Jim was also instrumental in establishing the Noongar Patrol to provide support and protection for young Noongar people on the streets of Perth. Jim is a member of Murdoch University’s Aboriginal Reference Group where he has provided invaluable guidance on the First Nations portfolio operations and in relation to Murdoch’s Reconciliation journey.

Jim Morrison’s contributions to the Noongar community are extensive and his sharing of knowledge with our Murdoch University community will be felt for many generations to come.

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Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Tseyring Pem Wangchuck: Doctor of the University (honoris causa) 

Image: Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks, Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Tseyring Pem Wangchuck and Murdoch University Chancellor Gail McGowan.

Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Tseyring Pem Wangchuck is committed to changing lives and society for the better through accessible education. Her work has benefited her own country, but more widely, made an impact right across the globe, including at Murdoch University. 

Her Majesty completed her school education before marrying the Fourth King of Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Her Royal commitments at that time, when the country was going through great developmental reforms and challenges, meant she could not undertake higher education. Having missed the opportunity to continue her education, Her Majesty gives the highest priority to children and their education.  

Her Majesty is actively involved in education reform, especially in engaging with design principles that include the community as a classroom. Her Majesty’s contribution to quality education was honoured by the Ministry of Education in Bhutan in 2023. Her substantial contribution includes the ‘My Gakidh Village’ project, which aims to improve the economy of the local community while ensuring preservation and promotion of its culture.  

Her Majesty is also the President of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund, which has served thousands of youth and children across Bhutan. It is Her Majesty’s aim to build competencies within individuals so the youth of today can excel in their areas of expertise in the future.  

Her Majesty pioneered and reformed the drug and rehabilitation program in Bhutan, which later became The Bhutan Institute of Wellbeing. This centre is highly recognised for its wellness program, themed ‘Gross National Happiness Journey (GNH Journey) a Leadership of Self’, which has been delivered internationally. 

A Memorandum of Understanding between Her Majesty’s Bhutan Youth Development Fund and Murdoch provides regular scholarships for Bhutanese students to study at Murdoch and also opportunities for social and business innovation.