( L-R: Ann Sherry AO, Helen Williams AC and Frances Adamson at the inaugural Helen Williams Oration in 2018)
Most IPAA divisions host an Oration as part of their annual calendar, to honour an individual and their contribution to the field of public administration. In 2018, IPAA ACT established the Helen Williams Oration in honour of Helen Williams AC, the first female to be appointed Secretary of an Australian Government department.
![]() Image credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong, The Canberra Times |
Helen was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in January 2019 for eminent service to public administration through senior advisory roles, and to policy reform and innovative program delivery. This follows her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1993. |
The inaugural oration was delivered by Ann Sherry AO, Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia on 23 August 2018. The event was held at the launch of the 'Women in Leadership Series', a collection of four events delivered in 2018, discussing the opportunities that exist and the challenges that are faced by women in public sector leadership roles. It celebrated the Australian Government achieving gender parity at the most senior level of the public service in April 2018, with nine of the 18 departmental secretary roles occupied by women.
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2021 Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM Chief Scientist of Australia |
Thursday 29 September 2021 Live-stream View the Oration here. |
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2020 |
Tuesday 22 September 2020 |
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2019 |
Monday 4 November 2019 |
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2018 |
Thursday 23 August 2018 |