“The humanitarian situation on our planet is the worst I think it’s been in my lifetime, but today, we also have a wave of young people who are brighter, more enthusiastic and better educated than ever to rise up and meet the formidable challenges.”
Mr Maxwell Gaylard has had a profound impact on communities around the world, working as a diplomat, human rights advocate and humanitarian with the United Nations, Commonwealth and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Upon graduating from UQ in 1968, Gaylard was appointed as a Diplomatic Cadet for what was then the Department of External Affairs in Australia.
Shortly after completing his diplomatic training Gaylard was called up for two years of national service, and after graduation from the Scheyville Officer Training Unit was posted to Malaysia and Singapore with the First Battalion of the Australian Army, serving with the then Commonwealth Brigade. He then re-joined the Foreign Service.
Gaylard went on to represent Australia, the Commonwealth and the United Nations in several distinguished positions including High Commissioner for Australia to Solomon Islands, Director of Political Affairs for the Commonwealth Secretariat, and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.
Gaylard has taken on several other strong leadership roles during his career including his appointment as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Palestine, and Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, at the level of UN Assistant Secretary-General.
He is passionate about cultivating future leaders and regularly mentors Emmanuel College students. He and his wife Madhuri Bose also contribute to academic programmes by volunteering their time to conduct master classes in humanitarian relief and development issues, human rights and human rights advocacy.
College Affiliation
Emmanuel College from 1964 – 1966
