VU celebrates graduates & recognises exceptional service to the University

The Colleges of Sport, Health and Engineering and Arts, Business, Law, Education and Information Technologies presented graduates with their degrees at Flemington Racecourse over the course of two days.  

The ceremonies were also an opportunity to award two honorary Companion of the University Awards to Western Bulldogs Executive Director of Football Chris Grant, and former VU Sydney Principal and Campus Director Felicity Davis Rafferty, who was presented the award posthumously. 

A decorated Western Bulldogs player, who played 341 games, Chris is honoured with the Companion Award for his exceptional service to the community and contribution to VU. 

Beyond his football career and his current role at the Western Bulldogs (a VU major alliance partner) Chris has a clear commitment to serving the local community of Melbourne’s west, including supporting the development of women in sport at the grassroots level. 

Chris has promoted and engaged with VU researchers to conduct applied sport performance research. He has also played a leading role in advancing the partnership between the Western Bulldogs and VU and delivering excellence in the form of the new VU High Performance Centre at Whitten Oval. 

Felicity Rafferty is posthumously honoured for her significant contribution to VU. 

Felicity joined the University as Campus Director and Principal of VU Sydney at a time when the VU Block Model® was being implemented across our undergraduate courses.  

She excelled at translating the new approach for an international student environment, ensuring the model’s equivalence (including quality standards) at our interstate campus. 

Felicity diversified our offerings in response to border closures, commenced a range of new courses, facilitate robust compliance and collaborated expertly with Melbourne colleagues to open VU Sydney to domestic students. 

She was instrumental in the development and launch of VU Brisbane in 2022.  

Felicity operated at both the strategic levels and above all, put students’ needs first. Felicity died in April 2023. Felicity’s family were present at the Graduation Ceremony, and her husband, Greg Davis accepted the medal on her behalf.