Dr George Dyer has been part of Deakin’s DNA since its very beginning and continues to support Deakin students today through the Dyer Family Scholarship.
The higher education landscape in Victoria looks vastly different now than it did before the wave of amalgamations and mergers between adult education centres and universities in the 1980s and 1990s. So does Deakin, thanks in large part to the efforts of one Dr George Sydney Dyer ASA, ACIS.
A prominent figure in Australian higher education administration, George played a pivotal role in Deakin’s growth from a single campus at Waurn Ponds to a vibrant multi-campus university with a presence in both regional and metropolitan Victoria.
From 1976 to 1981 George was a member of the Burwood State College Council, which merged with other institutions to form Victoria College in 1981. He then served on the Victoria College Council from 1983 until it merged with Deakin in 1992, bringing the Deakin Burwood Campus into being.
As President of the Victoria College Council at the time, he was a key player in the merger negotiations between the College and University and served on the Transitional Council from 1992. He then remained on Deakin’s University Council until his retirement, serving as Chair of the University’s Campus Planning Committee and as a Deputy Chancellor from July 1992 until July 1994.
In his role on the Campus Planning Committee, he was heavily involved in the decisions that led to the establishment of Deakin’s Geelong Waterfront Campus, the expansion of the Burwood Campus and construction of the Morgan’s Walk pedestrian bridge that connects its two halves.
In 1999, George was awarded an honorary doctorate from Deakin for his distinguished service.
Today, George and his family continue his deep connection with Deakin through the Dyer Family Foundation.
A passion for people
Any interaction with the warm and witty George involves a story, whether it’s an anecdote about how Geelong’s historic but derelict Woolstores buildings were transformed into the architecturally significant Geelong Waterfront Campus, or entertaining tales about what his great-grandchildren got up to at a family birthday party.
But it’s when George talks about his twin passions of education and healthcare that his eyes really light up.
‘We need greater investment in encouraging students from all walks of life to work within healthcare in Australia, particularly with our ageing population,’ he says.
‘I strongly believe the best care comes from students who go back to their own communities, particularly in our rural and remote areas, to practice and provide life-saving care.
‘People go into healthcare for what they can do to improve the world, I think, rather than for letters after their name that will help them in their career. They have an interest in humanity and the work they do is vital to the community.’
Inspired to give back
‘As a family we have a policy of supporting worthy causes,’ George says, beginning a story about one of his first forays into philanthropy. It was inspired by an abiding interest in special needs education that dates back to his days at Burwood State College, when the Minister for Education at the time introduced a bill to create a specific institute for disability studies. Burwood College established the Institute of Special Education, with an academic named Simon Haskell to head it up, and George was asked to join the committee tasked with ensuring the growth and success of the new institute. It was the beginning of an enduring friendship between George and Simon, who would both eventually end up at Deakin.
‘Simon asked me if I could give a prize for students – at the time it was only about $100 – to help encourage more students to study at the institute,’ George says.
Over time, George has increased the amount to $1000 and the award has evolved into the Professor Simon Haskell Prize, given each year to the most outstanding student completing the Disability and Inclusion major in Deakin’s Bachelor of Health Science or Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Arts degree.
‘I thought it was ridiculous the prize was named after me, since no one knew who I was and Simon was a pioneer in disability studies in general and the course at Deakin specifically,’ George says with typical humility. ‘So I named it after him instead and now it serves as a reminder of his legacy and dedication to disability studies.’
Building a family legacy
George attended Deakin’s graduation ceremonies for a number of years and always came away inspired by the graduates’ smiling faces and aspirations for the future.
‘Celebrating achievement is something that should always be fostered and young people should be reminded their degree is worth something,’ George says.
‘Young people aren’t hopeless, they are hopeful they can have a better life, and it will be an even better life if they are able to achieve an education.’
As time went on, George and his late wife Maureen decided to involve their three children in their philanthropic endeavours, setting up the Dyer Family Fund to support a variety of causes, including the environment, medical research, overseas aid and education. In 2023, the Foundation established The Dyer Family Scholarship, supporting students studying health degrees at Deakin.
‘Providing a scholarship to an aspiring student, whether they’re an undergraduate or going on to study at a higher level is really an investment in the community,’ George says.
‘By investing in scholarships, the student receives recognition for their work and ability so far and it’s a spur for them to go on and further their education. We need people with knowledge, particularly specialised knowledge, to propel the knowledge economy further and support our communities. This is a national duty.
‘When it came to supporting education, I immediately thought of Deakin because I’ve got an abiding interest in the place. This scholarship was an opportunity for me to continue that interest and for our family to help students along their educational journey.’
Are you interested in supporting a student along their educational journey? Find out how you can help by contributing to our Deakin Achieving Potential Scholarship, or get in touch at giving@deakin.edu.au.