Class of 1961

Some Aquinians rise to great achievement through hard work, determination and just by getting on with it. Mike Wood is a great example. He and his brother John acquired their phenomenal work ethic from their industrious parents and the drive of their teachers. Mike carved a distinguished career at state, national and international levels and in many disciplines that evolved originally out of his love of economics discovered while at Aquinas College. As a boarder Mike Wood overcame homesickness, returned to school after the first term holiday persevered, and finally excelled. He left as Vice-Captain of the School and Deputy Head Prefect, a Cadet Under Officer, and a member of the First Eighteen for which he received colours.

Mike worked as a journalist on “The West Australian” after completing his economics honours degree at UWA. He subsequently taught economics in South Australia before teaching public policy at the University of Tasmania. There he courted his wife to be, Judy with whom he has three children. Over the next decade, he taught political science, public policy and strategy before specialising in public service and local government. Among Mike’s many achievements, an incredible road trip from Delhi to Zagreb deserves a mention.

Returning to Perth, he finished his PhD on intergovernmental relations in Australia at UWA with an emphasis on local government. He was invited by the then government to assist reforms in the Cabinet office as Assistant Director. He also chaired the WA Local Government Grants Commission, was head of the Department of Local Government and the state’s Public Service Commissioner. Mike’s contribution to public administration was recognised by his peers when he was appointed a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

He led the Curtin Business School in 1999 to be the first Australian business school to achieve international recognition through the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). This enabled thousands of West Australian and international students to graduate with an internationally recognized qualification. He also taught strategy and leadership in the Catholic tradition at Notre Dame where he is an Adjunct Professor of Management.

Looking back over a “lucky life”, he acknowledges that his work ethic was formed by the family and then honed during the growth of the Catholic education system stressing the preparation of young people to play a bigger role in the community.