The School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing staff block is now the Ann Ballin building and was formally reopened today, on International Women’s Day.
The dedication recognises the contribution of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) alumna and former staff member Dame Reubina Ann Ballin, a pioneer in the field of psychology and a lifelong advocate for victims’ rights and people with disabilities, as well as a strong supporter of women in academia. Friends and family of Dame Ann attended the reopening event, including Bruce Ulrich and Sarah Armstrong, as well as UC students, staff and alumni.
“Dame Ann Ballin’s dedication to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women resonates very deeply here at the University of Canterbury,” says Professor Sarah Young, Amo Matua | Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science at UC. “The renaming of this building to honour Ann Ballin signifies more than just a change in its name, it symbolises a commitment to her vision and values.”
Born in Hamilton, Dame Ballin suffered a neurological condition in her teens that attacked her spinal column, confining her to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life. She studied Psychology at UC, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1961 and Master of Arts in 1964. As a qualified psychologist, she used her experiences to help others throughout her career, including working as a student counsellor at UC for over a decade.
She believed strongly in gender equality and became the first female president of the New Zealand Psychological Society in 1979 and its most decorated member. She was also an advocate for victims’ rights, chairing the Victims’ Task Force from 1988 to 1993 and pioneering changes in the criminal justice system to improve justice for victims of crime.
In recognition of her contribution to New Zealand society, Dame Ballin was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, awarded an honorary doctorate Doctor of Letters degree from UC, and received New Zealand’s highest civilian honour – Membership of the Order of New Zealand – a year before her death in 2003. She also contributed expertise to other groups, including the Hillary Commission on Recreation and Sport, and the Royal Commission on Social Policy.
The Ann Ballin Building, which will continue to be home to Te Kura Mahi ā-Hiriapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, has been upgraded with low carbon features and will be incorporated into UC’s renewable energy systems in the future. As part of Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science, the reopening of the refurbished building also marks the completion of the UC Science precinct – a significant milestone for UC. The renaming of the building follows a strong tradition of UC buildings being named after alumni and staff.
