Honorary doctorate to veteran entertainer
Max Gillies AM (Centre) Deputy Chancellor Mr Shane Buggle and the President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner.
Political satirist, actor and director Max Gillies AM has been recognised with an honorary doctorate from Monash University.
The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa was conferred on Dr Gillies at a ceremony at the University’s Clayton campus yesterday.
The University’s highest honour recognised his distinguished career as an actor, and his role in enhancing theatre practice and teaching in the Australian community.
A founding member of the 1970s experimental theatre company, the Australian Performing Group. Dr Gillies continues to perform on stage around Australia with several major theatre companies.
A Monash alumnus, Dr Gillies is known as a mentor to younger actors and performers at the University. He began performing as an undergraduate at Monash University and he has been recognised with a Distinguished Alumni Award (1997).
Monash University Deputy Chancellor Shane Buggle, congratulated Dr Gillies.
“For more than three decades, Dr Gillies has been entertaining the Australian public with his satirical impersonations of some of the nation’s political leaders and public figures,” Mr Buggle said.
“Beyond this Dr Gillies has become a distinguished actor and director with the ability to engage Australians in theatre performance on w die range of levels, as well as mentor young performers and writers to meet their aspirations.”
Upon accepting the University’s highest honour, Dr Gillies addressed several hundred graduating students.
Max Gillies AM (BA 1966) is an Australian actor, best known for satirical impressions of well-known political figures, writers and television personalities. His career spans across stage, television and film since 1970. His popular television series 'The Gillies Report' (1984-85), 'Gillies Republic' (1986) and 'Gillies and Company' (1992) were shown on ABC TV. His long theatrical career began with his chairmanship of The Australian Performing Group at Melbourne's Pram Factory in 1970 and he has appeared in productions for all our state theatre companies.
Max Gillies AM became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1990.