Former SES chief Carlene York gets UOW honorary doctorate
Carlene York is NSW's first female SES Commissioner. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wollongong.
Carlene York led NSW emergency volunteers through the Black Summer bushfires and record floods. York accepted an honorary doctorate of Laws at UOW's graduations this week.
York spent 40 years in the NSW Police Force before becoming SES Commissioner. York secured over $190 million in funding for the service.
More than 1,700 students graduated across eight ceremonies from November 3 to 5. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki was honoured for science communication and Professor Chennupati Jagadish for semiconductor research.
York now runs Girls on Fire. This helps young women find pathways into fire and emergency services.
Women make up about 14 per cent of NSW's fire workforce.
- 40 years
- Years in NSW Police
- Over 190 million dollars
- Funding secured
- November 3 to 5
- UOW graduation ceremonies
- About 14 per cent
- Women in NSW fire workforce
Why it mattersThe recognition celebrates leadership that saved lives. It highlights the ongoing push to recruit more women into emergency services.
AustraliaYork's work with Girls on Fire directly shapes Australia's emergency services, and her example challenges the male dominance of firefighting and police roles in NSW.
