One of Ballarat's best known community advocates and innovators has received an honorary doctorate from Federation University.
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George Fong, the founder of technology company Lateral Plains, has a long-standing connection to the university and was formerly its deputy chancellor.
In a graduation ceremony at the Founders Hall on the Mount Helen campus this week, he was presented with an honorary doctorate for his contribution to university life.
It's probably one of the biggest honours I have ever had. The university has been a major part of a lot of what I have done for a long time
- George Fong
As well as being the deputy chancellor from 2016 to 2017, Mr Fong was a member of the university's council from 2012 to 2020.
A Federation University statement on LinkedIn said: "The Honorary Doctorate also recognises Dr Fong's contribution to enhancing communities and the countless hours serving on, chairing and being involved in committees, groups and boards for many agencies, foundations, governing bodies and educational institutions."
Having started at the university in 1987 as a junior lecturer, Mr Fong has remained an active part of the Ballarat institution's set-up since.
He told The Courier he was "completely overwhelmed" by the honorary doctorate.
"It's probably one of the biggest honours I have ever had," he said. "The university has been a major part of a lot of what I have done for a long time."
An IT specialist, Mr Fong is also known as a staunch advocate for the Ballarat region, and was chair of the Central Highlands Regional Partnership until last September.
He was also a Ballarat Health Services Foundation council member until earlier this year, a position he had held since 2005.
On stepping down, the Ballarat Health Services board honoured him for his support by appointing him as a life governor.
Mr Fong is a familiar face on the fundraising circuit and competed in the inaugural Dancing with the Stars competition in 2019.
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He also poured his energies into running a half marathon while in isolation last year, having determined to press ahead and complete the distance for the first time before he turned 60,
Despite picking up an injury, he hopes to put his running shoes back on shortly.
We have just come so far. We started as the Ballarat College of Education and now we are one of the leading regional universities in the country.
He founded his company Lateral Plains in the late 1990s, and the firm has maintained strong links with the Federation University Technology Park.
Nicknaming his role at the company as a "Nerd Herder", Mr Fong has stepped back from leading the firm in recent years.
His son Luke stepped into the chief executive role in 2017, but Mr Fong remains executive director and says he still plays an active role in the technical side of the business.
He told The Courier he is also currently involved in a couple of start-ups.
His long-standing involvement with Federation University remains a particular source of pride.
"We have just come so far," he said. "We started as the Ballarat College of Education and now we are one of the leading regional universities in the country."
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