Now, the Federation University vice-chancellor has been recognised for his hard work in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Professor Battersby was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AM) in the general division category on Monday. 

He was recognised for his significant service to tertiary education as a senior administrator, academic and advocate for improved community engagement.

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Professor Battersby said he was honoured and humbled by the accolade. 

“It is extremely gratifying to receive this honour for tertiary education and for engagement with our communities,” he said. 

Professor Battersby has been Federation University’s vice-chancellor since 2006.

He has spent the past 38 years working in regional tertiary education.

The professor has seen University of Ballarat evolve into Federation University and witnessed thousands of students graduate.

“Education is a vehicle to change your life and provide you with an opportunity to change,” he said. “We are here to serve the students ... and there is a chance they would not have gone to university if it wasn’t for us.” 

Professor Battersby was the first person in his family to attend university and the first in his immediate family to complete year 12. 

He grew up in the town of Tenterfield in northern New South Wales.

He studied for a bachelor of education at the University of Central Queensland before working as the deputy vice-chancellor at Charles Sturt University between 1987 and 2006.

Professor Battersby was the former chairman of the Regional Universities Network and the Museum of Australia Democracy at Eureka.

He is a member of the board of directors of IDP and the chairman of Education Australia Limited. 

Despite his achievements, Professor Battersby isn’t planning on retiring soon. 

“It’s a job that’s never finished,” he said. 

“If you ever get to the stage where a job is done, it’s probably time to leave.” 

kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au