University of Queensland staff, students and alumni have been honoured in the Australia Day awards, featured as Australia Day Ambassadors or became new Australian citizens at ceremonies across the State.
Australia Day Honours recipients as currently identified include:
Order of Australia Companion (AC) in the General Division
Honorary Doctorate of Business recipient (2008) and chair of BHP Billiton Dr Donald Argus AO, for eminent service to business and commerce through leadership in the mining and finance industries, and to the community through the promotion of philanthropy, and executive roles in conservation, health, charitable and sporting organisations.
Officer (AO) in the General Division
Professor Wendy Hoy, of the School of Medicine, for service to medical research in the field of chronic disease, particularly renal disease, through the promotion of health service delivery reform, and as an advocate for indigenous health in Australia and the United States of America. Professor Hoy is the founder and inaugural director of the Centre for Chronic Disease.
UQ Chaplain 1981-1983 The Reverend Dr Peter John L'Estrange, for service to higher education and to the community through the Catholic Church as an administrator and academic.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Arts 1976, LLB (honours 1978) Mr Steven Skala, for service to the visual and performing arts through roles supporting wider community access, to business and commerce, and to the community through the promotion of educational opportunities for young Australians.
Member (AM) in the General Division
Adjunct Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and MBBS graduate 1976 Dr Richard Ashby, for service to emergency medicine, to medical administration, and to a range of professional associations.
Professor Peter Brooks, former Executive Dean of Health Sciences, for service to medicine, particularly in the field of rheumatology, as an academic, researcher and clinician.
Honorary Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences since 2004 Professor Max Coltheart, for service to cognitive psychology as a researcher and academic, and to people with learning difficulties.
Bachelor of Architecture graduate 1967 Professor William Curnow, for service to the construction industry, particularly as an architect of correctional, educational and bio-secure facilities, through the promotion and support of collaborative research projects and as an educator.
Professor Annette Dobson, of the School of Population Health, for service to public health and biostatistics as a research and academic, particularly through the collection and analysis of data relating to cardiovascular disease and women’s and veterans’ health.
UQ graduate (MBBS 1969, Doctor of Medicine 1990), Professor of Urology, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research/Royal Brisbane Hospital since 2004 Professor Robert (Frank) Gardiner, for service to medicine and to medical research in the field of urology.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Commerce 1964, Certificate in Provisional Accountancy 1964) Mr Peter Joseph OAM for service to the community, particularly through the establishment of the Black Dog Institute and contributions to the redevelopment and improvement of health care facilities.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Commerce 1963, Graduate Diploma of Education 1964, Certificate in Provisional Accountancy 1966, Associate in Commerce 1969) Mr David Meiklejohn, for service to the business sector, particularly in the field of finance, and to sport through the Melbourne Cricket Club.
UQ graduate (MBBS 1969) Dr Marjorie Pawsey, for service to community health as a contributor to the development of health care standards, quality assurance systems and professional accreditation programs, particularly in the area of women's health.
UQ graduate (MBBS 1966, Doctor of Medicine 1989), Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Queensland, 1989-1992), Professor Peter Ravenscroft, for service to the development of palliative care and medicine, particularly as an advocate for improved education of doctors and health workers in the therapeutics of palliative care.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Economics 1983) and former Director of the University of Danang- University of Queensland English Language Institute (UD-UQ ELI), Danang, Vietnam, Ms Patricia Roessler, for service to the development of relations with Vietnam through the higher education sector and a range of charitable, welfare and business organisations.
UQ graduate (MBBS (Honours) 1962, Master of Surgery 1966, Doctor of Medicine 1972) Professor David Scott, for service to medicine as a pioneer in the field of transplant surgery and through executive roles in professional organisations.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Commerce 1972, Bachelor of Economics 1976, Certificate in Provisional Accountancy 1966) Mr Henry Smerdon for service to financial management as a contributor to reform in a range of public and private sector organisations, to tertiary education, and to the arts.
Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia
UQ graduate (MBBS 1982) Commodore Robyn Walker RAN, for exceptional service as a medical officer in the Australian Defence Force.
Medal (OAM) in the General Division
UQ graduate (MBBS 1975) Dr Fabio Brecciaroli, for service to medicine, particularly through the provision of palliative care services, and to the community of the Sunshine Coast.
UQ graduate Dr Leonard (George) Tucker (MBBS 1973) of the Rural Clinical School in Toowoomba, for service to rural medicine as a consultant physician and educator.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Veterinary Science 1955) Dr Julian Mullins MBE, for service to veterinary science, and to the community of Kingaroy.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Arts 1969, Bachelor of Education 1973, Master of Literary Studies 1980) Mr Stephen Paul, for service to education as a contributor to the development and implementation of technology in schools.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Science 1971, Graduate Diploma of Education 1972) Mr Steve Tharenou, for service to education, particularly as Principal of the MacGregor Primary School.
UQ graduate (MBBS 1968), Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland School of Medicine, since 1998) Dr Peter Thomas for service to emergency medicine in Queensland, and to a range of professional associations.
Public Service Medal
Mr Barry Ball, Deputy Director of the Global Change Institute, for outstanding public service, particularly in the south-east Queensland region, in the area of water policy, management and reform.
Professor Ernest Hunter, for outstanding public service to Queensland Health, particularly in the delivery of mental health initiatives in rural Queensland. Professor Hunter was previously Foundation Professor Public Health (Mental Health) with the University of Queensland’s School of Social and Preventative Medicine based in Cairns.
UQ graduate (MBBS 1962) Dr John Patten, for outstanding public service to Queensland Health in the development of sexual health medicine in Queensland.
UQ graduate (Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 1982) Ms Lyndall Sachs, for outstanding public service as Australia’s Ambassador to Lebanon, particularly her leadership role in the evacuation of Australian citizens during the recent conflict between Lebanon and Israel.
Please advise any further recipients who may have been accidentally omitted to j.king@uq.edu.au
Australia Day Ambassadors
A number of current or former University of Queensland staff were among 38 Queenslanders appointed Australia Day Ambassadors. They gave Australia Day speeches, handed out citizenship certificates to new citizens and a variety of awards for community service.
UQ Australia Day Ambassadors included:
• UQ graduate, honorary doctorate recipient and former Australian cricket coach Dr John Buchanan;
• Senior lecturer in the School of English, Media Studies and Art History Dr Sally Butler;
• L’Oreal Women in Science Fellow 2009, astrophysicist Dr Tamara Davis of the School of Mathematics and Physics;
• UQ graduate and senior lecturer, plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Richard Lewandowski who is founder and chair of Operation Smile Australia;
• Dr Allan Paull of DSTO, a UQ graduate formerly of the Centre for Hypersonics, who is supervising UQ PhDs and coordinates the HiFIRE program in which UQ is involved;
• Research affiliate in the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies Professor Kay Saunders AM;
• Professor of Applied Language Studies at UQ Roly Sussex of the Arts Faculty; and
• Professor in Neonatal Paediatrics David Tudehope AM.
