At Cromwell College’s May 2023 Annual General Meeting, Dr Joe Goodall resigned as Board Chair having served continuously in the role since March 2013 and on the Cromwell board since 2009.
In leaving the role, Dr Goodall leaves behind a legacy that is a tribute both to his leadership of the Cromwell board and also to his leadership in the wider University community as the public face of Cromwell College at the University of Queensland.
During Dr Goodall’s tenure, Cromwell College has expanded in its built environment, enhanced its pastoral programme and maintained its balance between encouraging academic attainment and enjoying university residential life. Dr Goodall was pivotal in navigating the College well through the myriad of financial and personal challenges for the College community that resulted from the public health restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Goodall was one of the driving forces in the development and adoption by all UQ Colleges of the University of Queensland Relationship Framework. A lifelong Congregationalist, Dr. Goodall has also provided distinguished service in that arena as Moderator of the Congregational Federation of Australia and New Zealand (CFANZ), and as Moderator of the Queensland Congregational Fellowship (QCF).
In recent years, he has led the Cromwell board in the review of the College’s strategic plan and most recently in the redrafting of the Constitution, to ensure, as he describes it, “the need for Cromwell to be “unbreakable” – to be strong enough in all areas that it can survive unexpected setbacks. This requires planning, financial strength and effective governance and administration not over one year but many.”
His leadership of the College has been evidenced by his humility, consultation and achieving a good resolution by working together as a team – a true embodiment of the Cromwell way. Students, staff and board members are used to seeing he and his wife Meredith at College dinners and more informally at sporting and cultural events, and their presence will be greatly missed by all. The University of Queensland and Cromwell College are grateful to Dr Goodall and thank him for his good and faithful service.
The College and University community will have opportunity to farewell Dr Goodall at planned events over the next few weeks.
Judy Young
Incoming Chairperson
Simon Armstrong
Principal/CEO