Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC Patron
Ivanhoe Professional Learning
Professor Geoffrey Blainey is one of Australia's most significant and popular historians. His vast knowledge and historical understanding reinforce his growing reputation as a futurist in both the economic and business milieu and on social and political trends. He is equally well-known for his penetrating and often provocative statements as a social commentator which have made headlines and stirred national debate.
A social and economic historian, Professor Blainey is the author of thirty published books including The Tyranny of Distance (a history of the effect of isolation on Australia), A Short History of the World (2000), The Causes of War, and A Shorter History of Australia.
Professor Geoffrey Blainey was Professor of Economic History at the University of Melbourne from 1968 to 1976, Ernest Scott Professor of History from 1977 to 1988 and is now Professor Emeritus. He was also inaugural Chancellor of the University of Ballarat.
He was Chairman of the Australia Council for four years and chairman of the Australia-China Council for five years.
In the early 1980s he was visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard University.
On Australia Day 2000, Professor Blainey became the most honoured Australian historian commentator when he was appointed as a Companion in the Order of Australia for service to academia, research, scholarship and public debate.
Professor Blainey's literary prizes include the world's major award for the dissemination of knowledge the 1988 Britannica Award, shared with American economist JK Galbraith and others.
Ivanhoe Grammar School was delighted that, in 2007, Professor Blainey, agreed to be the Patron of the professional development division of the School - Ivanhoe Professional Learning.
L-R: Principal Rod Fraser,
Patron Geoffrey Blainey AC,
IPL Director Virginia Birrell