University

James Cook University of North Queensland (JCUNQ), 1973-1976

• Awarded Commonwealth Government Tertiary Education Scholarship and North Queensland Regional Electricity Board Tertiary Education Scholarship in January 1973.
  
  
• Elected student representative on JCUNQ Faculty of Engineering 1975 and 1976.
  
  
• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Class 1 Honours conferred February 1977.
  
  
• Awarded Commonwealth Postgraduate Research Scholarship in December 1976.

Townsville State High School, 1968-1972

• Awarded Commonwealth Government Secondary School Scholarship in 1970.

July 2002 to May 2007

Jan 2000 to Present

Director and Company Secretary, Balinfern Pty Limited

Balinfern Pty Limited was the licensee for the Thrifty Car and Truck Rental franchise in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales, Australia.

Partner, Balinfern Associates (www.balinfernassociates.com.au)

This is a small-scale management, research and multimedia/information technology consultancy that has been established as a Partnership between Peter Cook and Patrick Migliaccio. Peter Cook also provides support to individuals through Professional, Career and Personal/Lifestyle Coaching. So far Balinfern Associates has successfully been offered and taken on a number of projects, and has attracted a range of coaching clients.

Peter Cook is also involved in a mixed hobby farming venture including plantation cabinet timber cultivation and cattle grazing on a property at Rosebank in the hills between Lismore and Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers district of NSW. He is also a breeder of prize winning Collie Rough dogs under the prefix Balinfern.

Member, Consumer Network, Cochrane Collaboration

Consumer Representative, Cochrane Renal Group

Foundation Member, Australasian Research Management Society.

Oct 1997 to Jan 2000

Director, Research Office, The University of New South Wales

(I was invited through TASA International, Executive Search Consultants engaged by UNSW, to allow my name to be put forward for this position.)

This position reported to Professor Chris Fell, who was then Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) and I was responsible for:

• Putting in place strategies for maximising the value, quality and share of research funding received by UNSW and its researchers from all sources (approximately $88m in 1999)
  
  
• Actively fostering and developing new research funding strategies and initiatives
  
  
• Providing high quality and timely information, advice and administrative services to UNSW researchers in regard to availability, conditions and application procedures and standards for research grants
  
  
• Ensuring effective interaction of the Research Office and the University’s commercial arm, Unisearch Ltd
  
  
• Promoting and safeguarding the University’s research interests through the effective and regular interactions with Government, industry and other funding bodies and individuals

• Ensuring the requirements of research funding sources were adequately met
  
  
• Formulation and development of policy recommendations and corporate strategies and plans in order to maximise research funding opportunities
  
  
• Establishment of relevant quality standards, policies and procedures to ensure that delivery of professional, quality research application service in line with future requirements and objectives
  
  
• Ensuring that potential funding opportunities were taken up by keeping up-to-date with market issues and trends informing academic staff of available grants
  
  
• Management of the Animal and Human Ethics Secretariat

Member, Committee on Research, a sub-committee of the Academic Board of the University of New South Wales.

Member, Publicity and Public Promotions Committee for the university.

Member, Steering Committee for GST Implementation for the University of New South Wales.

University Council appointee to the Board of Management of International House, UNSW. 

At the end of 1999 the University of New South Wales was awarded the largest number and value of Australian Research Council SPIRT (industry - collaborative) research grants in Australia for 1999, almost double the number and value of its nearest competitor, the University of Melbourne. I had managed this process.

For family reasons I relocated to live in northern NSW in January 2000, and therefore I gave notice of my resignation to the University in June 1999.  I gave this lengthy notice to ensure the University was able to adequately plan for my replacement.  I left the University in January 2000.  The University replaced my position with that of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor Ross Milbourne) who commenced duties in January 2000. This position was then filled by Professor Elspeth McLachlan, as Professor Milbourne resigned at the end of his first twelve months in the position to become Vice Chancellor University of Technology, Sydney.

Jun 1996 - Oct 1997

Director, Research and Scholarships Office, The University of Sydney

This position reported to Professor Roger Tanner, who was then Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) and I had responsibility for:

• The administration of the University’s research program (internal and external sources totalling approximately $70 million annually, 1997 figures).
  
  
• Devising, developing and upgrading management systems to meet emerging requirements of research funding bodies, government and the University
  
  
• Development of management systems to provide information for the University Senate and committees, and government
  
  
• Management of contract research performance, reporting, expenditure and general compliance
  
  
• Working with research grant applicants (academic staff at all levels) in identifying sources of research funds and assisting in drafting research grant applications
  
  
• Establishment and maintenance of effective relationships with senior figures in research granting bodies and government agencies
  
  
• Establishment of networks both inside and outside the University to facilitate research

• Provision of advice to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) in relation to all aspects of the University’s research performance
  
  
• Provision of annual ‘input’ and ‘output’ research management indices for the university to the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (a determinant of university research funding amounting to $30m annually)
  
  
• Maximisation of the University’s research income in the Commonwealth National Competitive Grants Index so as to increase the University’s share of research quantum and research infrastructure block grants from the Commonwealth 
  
  
• Management of the universities human and animal ethics and biosafety committees
  
  
• Management of all undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, prizes, bursaries and awards

Member of the university Research Committee, a subcommittee of the Academic Board of Sydney University.

Member of the university Information Services and Technology Committee, a subcommittee of the Academic Board of Sydney University.

At the end of 1997 the University of Sydney was awarded the largest number of ARC funded research grants in its history of involvement in the scheme. I had managed this process.

Mar 1994 to Jun 1996

Director, Operations and Planning, NSW Cancer Council
(a non-government community funded organisation)

This position reported to Ms Elaine Henry, the then Executive Director, NSW Cancer Council and was seen as effectively being the Deputy to the Executive Director. It involved responsibility for:

• Coordination through Unit Managers of all day to day operations of the NSW Cancer Council (health promotion/education, patient and family support, NSW Cancer Registry, NSW Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit, fundraising, public relations, professional education, NSW Mammographic and NSW Cervical Screening Programs)
  
  
• Development, monitoring and review of operational and organisational processes and structures
  
  
• Ensuring that the developing culture of the organisation was in line with agreed organisational values and mission
  
  
• Introduction and integration of new program and service functions to the organisation (including major Commonwealth and New South Wales Government contract management programs, for example cancer screening programs and the National Breast Cancer Centre)
  
  
• Preparation of annual organisational operating plans and associated budget
  
  
• Formulation, assessment and monitoring of performance contracts with Government and the private sector
  
  
• Preparation of submissions and other documentation for Government Ministers, Departments and inquiries
  
  
• Acting in the position of Executive Director in her absence

In addition I undertook the following responsibilities:

External Committee Memberships:

Nov 1993 to Mar 1994

Executive Director, AIDS Trust of Australia, and General Manager AIDS Fundraising Management LTD, AFML (a non-government community funded organisation and its associated funding company)

I was approached by Ms Ita Buttrose, then Chairperson, AIDS Trust of Australia, to take on the above position, as the Trust was in severe crisis, technically insolvent, but still trading, and had fallen foul of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

I was fortunate to be able to negotiate a secondment from the Cancer Council to the Trust. I agreed to take on the position until the end of March 1994 to bring the Trust out from under the cloud it was in.

When I left, the Trust and its associated funding company were again financially viable after I was able to secure a number of business sponsorships, and trade out from under the position I inherited. All problems with the ASIC and other audit and legal issues were resolved before I departed.

Nov 1992 to Nov 1993

Director, Corporate Services and Council Secretary, NSW Cancer Council (a non-government community funded organisation)

This position reported to the then Executive Director, Ms Elaine Henry, and included responsibility for the management of:

• Financial services ($25 million annual budget)
  
  
• Human resources (140 staff)
  
  
• Information technology (UNIX mainframes and a network of 120 PCs)
  
  
• Research grants program management ($3 million annually)
  
  
• Ethics committee
  
  
• Building and office services (Sydney office and 6 regional offices)
  
  
• General administration and risk management
  
  
• Preparation of annual organisational operating plans
  
  
• Council secretary responsibilities
  
  
• Direct mail, bequest and investment income generation
  

Feb 1986 to Nov 1992

Executive Officer, Faculty of Medicine and Assistant Registrar, The University of New South Wales

This position reported to Professor Darty Glover, who was then Dean of Medicine and included:

• Responsibility for the efficient management of all aspects of Faculty operations
  
  
• Acting as a "sounding board" for the Dean and other senior academic staff on matters relating to medical education, medical administration, personnel, finance, legal and public relations issues and developments in the health care system
  
  
• Responsibility for policy development across the Faculty
  
  
• Responsibility for corporate and operational planning for the Faculty
  
  
• Preparation of Faculty submissions to Government and other inquiries and accrediting bodies including the Australian Medical Council
  
  
• Liaison with senior university, hospital, Area Health Service and government personnel
  
  
• Member of, and responsibility for the management of all Faculty committees
  
  
• Responsibility for Faculty financial management and budgeting ($13 million annual budget, 1992 figures)
  
  
• Management of all student matters (enrollment, assessment, records, timetables, counselling, etc.) at that time involving in excess of 1,000 undergraduate and 500 postgraduate students
  
  
• Responsibility for Faculty publications (University Calendar and Annual Report, Handbooks, Prospectus, brochures, and newsletters)
  
  
• Personnel management, in association with the university’s personnel office, for all Faculty staff (approx 300 academic and 100 general staff)
  
  
• Management of Faculty accommodation requirements on and off campus
  
  
• Management of Private Medical Practice Scheme arrangements for all clinical academic staff
  
  
• Adviser to Dean and Heads of Schools and Departments on all matters relating to personnel, finance, legal, student matters and general administration
  
  
• Responsibility for legal arrangements associated with the Faculty 
  
  
• Representing the Dean and Faculty on various University, NSW and Commonwealth Department of Health and hospital committees including the NSW Health Committee which allocated medical interns to hospitals
  
  
• Representative of the University of NSW on the Board of the Eastern Suburbs Linen Service

Other University Responsibilities:

Sep 1985 - Feb 1986

Acting Manager, Office of Sponsored Research and International Exchange (now renamed the Research Office), The University of New South Wales

April 1985 - Feb 1986

Senior Administrative Officer, Office of Sponsored Research and   International Exchange, (now the Research Office), The University of New South Wales

This position involved:

• Negotiation, preparation and assessment of contracts and agreements between the University and external bodies (private sector and Government) for research funding
  
  
• Development of links with industry and other (at that time) non-traditional sources of university research funding
  
  
• Formulation of university research funding and academic and student exchange policy
   
• Assessment of all applications to external bodies for research funds in terms of University policy, intellectual property, freedom to publish, ethics approval, and recovery of costs
  
  
• Overseeing of all correspondence with research funding bodies
  
  
• Preparation for the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs), Professor Malcolm Chaikin, of recommendations and correspondence relating to the various functions of the University’s External Affairs Division
  
  
• Assisting the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ray Golding, as required.

Aug 1984 to APR 1985

National Standards Commission (a Commonwealth Government statutory authority responsible for legal measurement, in all its forms, as used for trade in Australia)

Executive Officer, Executive Director's Unit and responsible for:

• Corporate and operational planning
  
  
• Preparation of Commission submissions to Government and private sector inquiries
  
  
• Staff/management relations
  
  
• Secretary to Commission meetings

• Assistance in annual budget preparation

Feb 1980 - APR 1985

National Standards Commission

• Appointed Engineer Grade 1 (Feb 1980 - Feb 1982)
  
  
• Promoted to Engineer Grade 2 (Feb 1982 - Jun 1984)
  
  
• Promoted to Engineer Grade 3 (Jun 1984 - APR 1985)

This work involved:

• Management of the Commission's Pattern Approval Laboratories
  
  
• Liaison with State and Federal Government Departments and industry at a senior level
  
  
• Development of national policies, practices and design criteria for trade measurement equipment
  
  
• Liaison with international regulatory agencies like OIML (Organisation of International Legal Metrology)
  
  
• Establishment and management of a fee-for-service consultancy for the Australian and international trade measurement industry and Government
  
  
• Representative of the National Standards Commission both overseas and within Australia (Japan, USA and UK)
  
  
• Responsibility for legal matters relating to pattern approval in association with the Crown Solicitor 
  
  
• Representative of National Standards Commission on Standards Association of Australia (SAA) Committees
  
  
• Organisation of Australia-wide National Measurement Seminars
  
  
• Commission representative on the National Precise Time Working Party
  
  
• Preparation of submissions to Government committees of inquiry
  
  
• Editor and publisher of National Standards Commission Newsletter
  
  
• Management of Australian Verifying Authority System
  
  
• Member of National Standards Commission staffing, finance and planning committees
  
  
• Establishment of National Standards Commission staff classification and equal employment opportunity policies

Jan 1978 - Jan 1980

The University of New South Wales, Tutor then Senior Tutor in the School of Electrical Engineering

Jan 1977 - Nov 1997

James Cook University of North Queensland, Tutor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering