Award-winning actor and UQ graduate Geoffrey Rush received one of the highest honours in this year’s Australia Day Awards.
He received a Companion (AC) in the General Division for “eminent service to the arts as a theatre performer, motion picture actor and film producer, as a role model and mentor for aspiring artists, and through support for and promotion of, the Australian arts industry”.
UQ Alumni honoured as Officers in the General Division include Andrew Liveris AO, the chairman and chief executive of the Dow Chemical Company, and Dimity Dornan AO, founder of the Hear and Say organisation, which provides support for deaf children and their families.
UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj congratulated award recipients and thanked them for making a difference in their fields.
“The University of Queensland is delighted that members of its staff and alumni have received public recognition of their significant national and international contributions,” Professor Høj said.
“Their awards reflect the breadth of teaching and research at the University as well as an outstanding commitment to the community.”
Professor Høj said people such as Andrew Liveris shared the University community’s desire to leverage research in areas including sustainability and energy, “to solve global concerns”.
Alumni and members of the UQ community who were honoured in the General Division include:
Dr Peter Myers AM, for significant service to sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery. Dr Myers is an alumnus and an adjunct professor in the UQ School of Human Movement Studies. He is an expert in orthopaedic biomechanics, sports medicine, knee surgery and arthroscopic surgery.
Associate Professor Trevor Appleton OAM, for service to education through the teaching and promotion of chemistry. Dr Appleton died last June. He was Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences from 2009 to 2013; Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences Assistant Director of Studies, 1996-2009, Reader in Chemistry 1992-2009; Senior Lecturer in Chemistry 1983-1991, and senior tutor 1974-1982. Dr Appleton was a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Australia Chemical Institute and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK).
David Ham OAM was recognised for service to education and to the community through voluntary roles. Mr Ham, an alumnus, is the volunteer support manager for Volunteering Queensland. He developed and implemented Volunteering Queensland’s human resources platform and is a board member of BUSHKids. Mr Ham worked for 35 years for Education Queensland, including as director of HR.
Alumnus Professor Brian Millis OAM was founding principal of Christian Heritage College. He was recognised for service to higher education and to the community.
Alumnus Paul Sherman OAM was recognised for service to the arts as a poet and playwright, and to education.
Dr Ross Tellam AM of the CSIRO was recognised for significant service to science through research roles in the field of livestock productivity and sustainability. Dr Tellam has collaborated with UQ scientists on research projects.
Alumnus Adele Rice AM, a former principal of Milpera State High School, was honoured for significant service to secondary education, and to the refugee and migrant community, particularly through the provision of specialist learning and settlement programs. Ms Rice has taken a key role in Refugee Week activities at UQ in the past, including chairing a discussion panel.
Australian Public Service Medals went to the following UQ alumni:
Professor Michael Cleary, a UQ medical alumnus. Professor Cleary is Deputy Director-General of Queensland Health’s Health Services and Clinical Innovation Division and has been with Queensland Health for 25 years in a range of executive roles. He is a Professor in Queensland University of Technology’s School of Public Health.
Dr Richard Eden, for outstanding public service to education, training and employment. Dr Eden, a UQ alumnus, is Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games. Previously he was Associate Director-General, Operations, at the Department of Education and Training.
Alumnus Dr Catherine Yelland of the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland Health, has worked closely with UQ researchers. Dr Yelland was honoured for her outstanding public service, and excellence and leadership in older persons’ medical services.
The full list of award recipients is available on the Governor-General of Australia’s website.
The 2014 awards will be the last announced by Governor-General (and UQ alumnus) Quentin Bryce.
Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, ph +61 7 336 51120.
