Dr Di Yerbury AO

Di was born on 25 March 1941 in Devon in Britain where her mother worked as a barmaid. She was educated in the United Kingdom receiving a Law Degree from the University of London and a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Administration in Manchester. She then came to Melbourne where she became the first woman to receive a PhD in law in Australia, focusing her studies on industrial relations and industrial law.

She lectured in industrial relations at Monash University before becoming the Industrial Relations Assistant Secretary in the Department of Labour and Immigration. She became a foundation Professor of Management at the Australian Graduate School of Management. In 1984, she was made an Order of Australia and also was appointed General Manager of the Australia Council. In 1987, she became the Vice-Chancellor and President of Macquarie University, making her the first woman in Australia to hold that position.

She is also Professor of Management and Emeritus Professor of the University of New South Wales. Di chairs the boards of several arts bodies, and has served on many boards and committees of education, government, business and arts organisations. She is a director of the Board of Citibank Australia. She is a member of UNESCO's National Education Network in Australia and President of IDP Education Australia which is the international development program of Australian universities.

Di has received numerous honorary degrees including Honorary Professor at the Beijing Normal University and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Sydney.