UQ community celebrated in Australia Day Honours

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and leading criminologist and educator, Professor Lorraine Mazerolle have received the nation’s highest civil award in the 2024 Australia Day Honours.

Professor Bruce Abernethy, Professor Gail Garvey, Professor Paul Harpur, Professor Cliff Mallett, Professor Carmel Hawley, Honorary Professor Vicki Flenady and Associate Professor David Thomson join researchers, alumni and UQ community members who have also been acknowledged for their significant contributions to society in this year’s honours list.

Key points:

Two of only four national recipients appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) are from the UQ community.
More than 40 members of the UQ community received Australia Day honours from ACs to OAMs.

Professor Terry said she was deeply humbled to be awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to tertiary education and the community.

“I have always felt it’s an honour to work in a sector that is so critical to Australia’s future economic and social prosperity, and to solving our shared global challenges,” Professor Terry said.

“Throughout my career, I have had the good fortune to work with very talented colleagues who are deeply committed to making a genuine difference through their teaching and research. So it’s a great privilege to work alongside them and to see, first-hand, the impact that our universities have through our students, our alumni and our deep partnerships with government and industry.

“I am delighted to see so many of my colleagues and other members of our community recognised, and the impact of our collective work being celebrated.”

Criminologist Professor Lorraine Mazerolle has also been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to education, to the social sciences, and to the development of policing reforms.

“I am passionate about making our communities safer and for almost 40 years have strived to work with criminal justice agencies to implement evidence-informed policies and practices that reduce crime without causing harm,” Professor Mazerolle said.

“I am inspired by the passion of my criminology students at UQ. My achievements have only been possible through collaborations with a variety of students, colleagues and law enforcement agencies across Australia.”

Professor Bruce Abernethy has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service in the field of health and behavioural science.

“It is humbling and flattering to receive this honour, and I'm especially fortunate to have been part of an exceptional team within the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at UQ that has built strong alliances with our many health sector partners,” Professor Abernethy said.

“These collaborations are fundamental to developing a more sustainable health system where clinical care and health promotion, training of the next generation and the advancement of knowledge work seamlessly together.”

Professor Gail Garvey’s significant service to Indigenous health and cancer research has been recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

“I see this award as recognition of the partnerships developed over many years with Indigenous communities and cancer services to develop equitable, safe and timely models of care for First Nations peoples,” Professor Garvey said.

“This collaborative approach will make positive health and wellbeing outcomes achievable in our communities.”

Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) Chairman Mr Jeff Maclean received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community through a range of organisations.

“It is a great honour to be recognised for supporting QBI along with several other organisations, though I must admit to being a little embarrassed when I compare myself to some of the wonderful researchers and the amazing work they are doing at QBI,” Mr Maclean said.

“Each year, we have tried to provide extra funds for research and encouraged friends, family and business associates to contribute to the ground-breaking work being done at QBI, and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported these efforts.”

Professor Paul Harpur was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to people with disability.

“In higher education, we educate, employ, and produce research that is transforming the world for the better,” Professor Harpur said.

“I feel privileged to support the university sector to become disability champions of change, so more Australians will be able to turn their dreams into reality in a world that is fair and inclusive for all.”

A row of flowering jacaranda trees with their leaves covering the ground below

^Image:^{Kevin / Adobe Stock}

Members of the UQ community recognised are:

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

Professor Deborah Terry AO has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to tertiary education as an institutional leader and academic, to the strengthening of higher education through collaboration and innovation, and to the community.
Professor Lorraine Mazerolle has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to education, to the social sciences as a criminologist and researcher, and to the development of innovative, evidence-based policing reforms.

Officer of the Order of Australia AO

The Honourable Justice Judith Kelly has been appointed an Officer of Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the judiciary, to the law, to professional associations, and to women.
Dr Richard Mills AM has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the performing arts as a composer, conductor and artistic director.
Dr Cynthia Mitchell has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the environment through water resource sustainability as an innovator, leader and academic.
Emeritus Professor Deborah Theodoros has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to community health, to rehabilitation sciences, and to tertiary education.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Professor Bruce Abernethy has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service in the field of health and behavioural science.
Associate Professor Felix Behan has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medicine, particularly reconstructive surgery.
Adjunct Professor Adrian Carson has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Indigenous health through research and development programs.
Dr Robert Robin Cooke OAM has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to pathology, and to professional organisations.
Emeritus Professor Dudley Creagh has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to science, and to tertiary education.
Honorary Professor Vicki Flenady has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medical research, particularly in the field of perinatal mortality.
Professor Gail Garvey has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Indigenous health, and cancer research.
Professor Carmel Hawley has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to kidney medicine as a researcher, clinician and mentor.
Dr Natasha Hendrick has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to youth, and to earth sciences.
Emeritus Professor Gisela Kaplan has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to science education through research into animal behaviour.
Adjunct Professor Helen MacGillivray has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to mathematics and statistics education.
Mr Jeff Maclean has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community through a range of organisations.
Emeritus Professor Neal Menzies has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to science, and to tertiary education.
Associate Professor Julie Mundy has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medicine, particularly cardiothoracic surgery, and to professional associations.
Mrs Patricia Neely has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health, and to the community.
Dr Matthew O'Sullivan has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medicine, particularly in the field of infectious diseases.
Honorary Associate Professor Deborah Parker has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health, particularly through palliative and aged care research.
Professor Donna Pendergast has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to tertiary education
Mr Douglas Porter has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education, and to the Anglican Church in Australia.
Associate Professor David Thomson has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to dentistry, particularly in the field of prosthodontics.
Mrs Beverley Trivett has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community health through brain cancer research.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mr Raymond Byrnes has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Yungaburra.
Mr Eddie Chung has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through social welfare organisations, and to business.
Mr John Compton has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Yungaburra.
Pastor Philip Cutcliffe has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community, particularly through the church.
Ms Donisha Duff has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mr John Gallimore has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to business, and to the community.
Dr Ronald Hacker has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to primary industry, and conservation.
Professor Paul Harpur has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to people with disability.
Dr Brian Hoepper has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to education.
Adjunct Associate Professor Ian Hosegood has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to aerospace medicine.
Ms Peta Jamieson has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to community health, and to business.
Associate Professor Zarnie Lwin has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine in the field of neuro-oncology.
Professor Cliff Mallett has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to sport as a coach, and to tertiary education.
Dr Judith McKay has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the museums and galleries sector.
Mrs Barbara Page-Hanify has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to people with intellectual disability.
Mr Donald Rogers has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to school sport, and to education.
Mr Brian Short has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to secondary education.
Dr David Stabler has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to orthopaedic surgery.
Dr Matthew Young has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to community health.

Public Service Medal (PSM)

Dr Peter Aitken has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service during COVID-19 to Queensland's emergency health response and to the field of disaster management.
Ms Kareena Arthy has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service to economic development and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr David Brown has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service in correctional services and public administration.
Associate Professor David Cartwright has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service to Queensland in the field of neonatal medicine.
Mr Darren Cleland has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service to regional and rural communities in Queensland.
Adjunct Professor Alison Crook has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service during COVID-19 to animal welfare and the protection of biosecurity in Queensland.
Dr Andrew Johnson has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service through leadership in developing and stewarding Australia’s capability in the environmental and physical sciences.
Mr David Meredith has received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for service to public prosecutions in Queensland.

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Colonel Alison Kaine has received a Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for meritorious achievement in the field of sensitive and strategic personnel case management in the Australian Army.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

Colonel Rodney Petersen has received a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for outstanding devotion to duty as Staff Officer Class One, Military Employment Classification and Review Service, Joint Health Command.

Information on the awardees is available on the Governor-General’s website.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 429 056 139.