As a young man working night and day to get his life back on track, Professor Peter Little never dreamed he would be honoured as an extraordinary Australian.
But on Monday (June 9th) the QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships) received the Order of Australia award in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
It is rich reward for a career spanning more than 30 years in which Professor Little has inspired thousands of students to forge careers in business and contributed significant time and expertise to the community and not-for-profit sectors.
The award is recognition for his "significant service to business education, particularly university and industry collaboration and engagement, and to the community".
"It's a very humbling experience to be nominated and it's a huge honour," Professor Little said.
"You never really stop and think about the things you do, you just live your life and do what you're passionate about."
It is a long way from Professor Little's teenage years, when he admits his life "spiralled out of control".
"We were a very poor family, my father left us when I was one and that was in an age when there was no social security so it was very tough for my mother and the three children," he said.
"After high school I had about eight years of night study before I got into university. And during the day I was working as a trainee manager at an outstanding company called Brandon Timbers. I had to start at the bottom and learn the ropes in the timber yard before I got into the office!
"It was a time when I had to accept responsibility to fix up my life and be very determined. Persistence is a great characteristic if you've got it."
As well as a career with QUT which has seen him serve as a Professor of Business Law and Executive Dean of the QUT Business School, Maleny-born Professor Little holds key roles with numerous community organisations.
He is a long-serving member of the board of Ormiston College, sits on the boards of the RACQ Foundation and European Foundation for Management Development, is a member of the RNA Council, and was recently appointed Chair of Screen Queensland. Professor Little is also a member of the Governing Committee of the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, which he was instrumental in establishing in 2009.
"In my own experience at QUT I've been really very fortunate indeed to have the freedom the Vice-Chancellor gave me to take risks and be adventurous. That's really important," Professor Little said.
"I've had unequivocal support and the freedom and encouragement to lead and be expansive."
Professor Little said the career achievement he was most proud of was playing a significant role in transforming the QUT Business School into an internationally-focused industry leader.
"We went from essentially being a very good Brisbane-based and focused business school, to being an international business school accredited by all of the international accrediting bodies," he said.
"To be part of that was a wonderful journey, it was a privilege. And I fully expect that journey will go from strength to strength."
Professor Little said he had "stumbled" into a career at QUT "by accident", but was delighted he had ended up "in the right place".
"I guess the thing that has stuck with me all my life, and continues to stick with me today, is I love to learn. Learning sustains you and I think you have to keep doing it all your life," he said.
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would work in a university. I would never have thought, even in my early years working in a university, I would become a Professor, or a Head of School or a Dean or a Deputy Vice Chancellor.
"It was never something that I coveted or was ambitious about, I just kept going, and I still do. I think if you can understand what your strengths are and pursue those, you'll probably end up in the right place for you, and I think that's all you can really ever hope for."
Two other QUT staff members, Professor Doug Hargreaves from QUT's Science and Engineering Faculty, and Associate Professor Cheryl Stock from the School of Media, Entertainment and Creative Arts, were also recognised with honours as part of the Queen's birthday celebrations.
Professor Hargreaves, who is a past president and Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia, was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to engineering as an educator and researcher, to professional organisations, and to the community.
As well as his educational and research-related contributions at QUT, Professor Hargreaves has a strong focus on community work, serving in leadership roles with both the Salvation Army and the Rotary Club.
Professor Stock, who was previously QUT's Head of Dance and is Secretary-General of the World Dance Alliance, was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as a choreographer, educator and administrator.
The QUT community warmly congratulates Professor Little, Professor Hargreaves and Professor Stock on their fantastic achievements.
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
