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On Thursday 10th May 2007 the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) awarded Professor Shirley McKechnie an Honorary Doctorate of Visual and Performing Arts. Professor McKechnie is a pioneer of contemporary dance in Australia and is only the second recipient of this award.

Professor McKechnie is regarded as a seminal leader and scholar in dance and dance education. Her long experience as a choreographer, performer, teacher and artistic director led her to dance scholarship and critical writing and eventually to her recent role as an innovator in Australian dance research at the VCA.

Professor Pip Pattison, President of the Academic Board of the University of Melbourne, presented Professor McKechnie with the award for the Honorary Degree at the VCA’s annual graduation ceremony at Hamer Hall.

“Professor Shirley McKechnie’s work has energised the creative research climate at the Victorian College of the Arts and at other arts training institutions throughout Australia,” said Professor Pattison.

Professor Andrea Hull AO, Director and Dean of the VCA, thanked Professor McKechnie for all her contributions to the VCA and the wider arts community.

“We are very proud to award this degree to recognise Shirley’s remarkable commitment and to applaud her for the example she has set and the artistic leadership she has shown,” said Professor Hull.

Professor McKechnie has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her services to dance in Australia. They include an Order of Australia in 1987, a Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts in 1993, the Ausdance 21 Award for outstanding and distinguished service, and two Australian Dance Awards, including that for lifetime achievement in 2001.