This week, I would like to focus on some exciting and significant updates from our alumni, staff and members of the College community. Here are five highlights showcasing the achievements of our distinguished and talented members of our Community.
1. Lord Michael Hintze Returns to Sydney to Open the Hinze Lecture
College alumnus Lord Michael Hintze Kt AM GCSG (SJC 1974-1976) recently returned to Sydney from London to open the University of Sydney’s Centre for International Security Studies’ annual Hintze Lecture at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, marking the 20th anniversary of the Michael Hintze Security Studies Professorship. Lord Hintze was appointed to the House of Lords in 2022.
The lecture brought together leaders from academia, government and the wider community to reflect on the importance of security studies and the changing geopolitical landscape facing Australia and the world.
Speaking of the origins of the Professorship, Lord Hintze said it was established because Australia needed “a serious, sustained, intellectual capability in security studies, anchored in one of its great universities.” Drawing on his own family history and experience, he reflected that “geopolitics has shaped my entire life” and that it was “not an abstract discipline” but “lived history.”
Lord Hintze challenged the audience to consider security in broader terms, arguing that “security is not the opposite of prosperity. It is its foundation.” He noted that today’s strategic environment extends beyond traditional defence, stating: “Trade is no longer merely commercial. It is strategic.”
Addressing the complex relationship between China and the West, Lord Hintze argued for a balanced approach:
“Containment alone is insufficient. Competition alone is destabilising. Cooperation alone is naïve. Statecraft requires managing all three simultaneously.” He emphasised the importance of intellectual institutions in navigating these challenges, stating: “It requires disciplined thinking. It requires institutions capable of sustained analysis beyond political cycles. It requires universities.”
Reflecting on Australia’s future role, Lord Hintze told students that they would live “in a world defined by the Indo-Pacific” and concluded with a message of confidence: “Australia is not a bystander in this century. It is a shaper of it.” He also paid tribute to the formative influence of the University of Sydney and St John’s College, saying they provided “not only education, but community, discipline, debate, and lifelong friendships.”
Lord Hintze’s full speech can be found here.
2. Professor Tracey O’Brien AM Recognised as 2026 NSW Woman of the Year
Mother of first-year student Sam O’Brien, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, was recently awarded the 2026 NSW Woman of the Year by the Premier of NSW. A leading cancer clinician, researcher and advocate, Professor O’Brien has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people affected by cancer and advancing compassionate, innovative healthcare across Australia.
Professor O’Brien is currently the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute of NSW, where she works to bring clinicians, researchers, policymakers and communities with a shared goal of delivering better cancer outcomes for all people across NSW. Her leadership in precision medicine, transplant and cellular therapies, and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of medical leaders, have made a profound impact on cancer care.
Reflecting on the honour, Professor O’Brien acknowledged that healthcare is always a collective achievement, expressing gratitude to the many teams, researchers and communities she has worked alongside throughout her career. She highlighted the importance of recognising women who challenge inequality, create meaningful change and inspire future generations of leaders.
3. Dean of Students, Mr Jacob Lerner, Awarded Top Law Prize at Oxford University
The College is delighted to congratulate our Dean of Students (Student Affairs) Mr Jacob Lerner on being awarded the “Proxime Accessit to the Vinerian Scholarship”, the award for the overall second highest place in the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree at the University of Oxford. The Vinerian Scholarship is the most prestigious law prize at the University of Oxford and is a distinction with which many members of the legal profession will be familiar.
In his role as Dean of Students (Student Affairs) at St John’s College, Jacob assists the Rector on matters relating to student policies, student wellbeing, safety and College events.
Jacob has spent the last year studying for the BCL at Oxford, which is regarded as one of (if not the) most demanding postgraduate law degrees in the world. Jacob also graduated with Distinction, as well as the prize for first place in Advanced Administrative Law. This is an extraordinary achievement and the College looks forward to celebrating Jacob’s achievements with him soon.
4. College Alumnus Professor Narinder Singh Pioneers AI Solution for Indigenous Children’s Ear Health
The College is delighted to celebrate alumnus Professor Narinder Singh (SJC 1991–1995), whose research team has developed an innovative artificial intelligence system to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ear disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in rural and remote Australia.
Professor Singh is the Chief Investigator of DrumBeat.ai, a world-leading initiative using AI to analyse images of children’s eardrums, helping health workers identify ear disease, assess hearing-loss risks and determine when specialist treatment is needed. A pioneer in the use of AI in medicine and surgery, Professor Singh has partnered with Microsoft to harness cloud-based technology and improve access to specialist care for communities where services can be limited.
DrumBeat.ai represents a significant advance in addressing one of Australia’s most pressing childhood health challenges: by enabling earlier detection and supporting local health workers with specialist-level insights, the technology aims to reduce preventable hearing loss and improve educational and developmental outcomes for Indigenous children.
5. College Senior Tutor Installed as Master of the Bench of Middle Temple
St John’s College is delighted to acknowledge the installation of our Senior Tutor, The Honourable John Sackar AM KC as a Master of the Bench (Bencher) of Middle Temple, one of the four historic Inns of Court in London. This significant honour recognises his distinguished contribution to the law, the judiciary and the wider legal profession. For those unaware, Middle Temple’s Benchers are senior members of the Inn, elected by their legal peers, and are responsible for the governance of the Inn, preserving its traditions and supporting the education and development of future generations of barristers.
The title of Master of the Bench carries a long and distinguished tradition within the English common law system. It recognises those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and leadership in the profession, while entrusting them with a role in mentoring future lawyers and upholding the values of justice, integrity and service that underpin the legal profession. Our Senior Tutor’s appointment strengthens the longstanding connection between Australian legal leaders and the Inns of Court in London. Congratulations, Senior Tutor!
The College community warmly congratulates Lord Michael Hintze, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, Mr Jacob Lerner, Professor Narinder Singh and The Hon John Sackar.
Kind regards,
Dr Mark Schembri
Rector
