An expert in Indigenous architecture, a noted historian and a history-making teacher joined a raft of talented University of Queensland alumni recognised in the 2021 Australia Day honours.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AO congratulated all recipients, and said it was heartening to see the University continued to be an important part of the journey for some of the nation’s highest achievers.
“Some amazing people make up this nation, and their diverse endeavours – making this world a better place for us all – are highlighted in the awards,” Professor Terry said.
Director of UQ’s Aboriginal Environments Research Centre, Professor Paul Memmott (pictured), was recognised for distinguished service to ethno-architecture and anthropology, to Indigenous housing and cultural heritage, and to tertiary education.
He helped open new areas of materials science research at UQ when Indjalandji-Dhidhanu traditional owners showed him practical uses for their local spinifex grass more than a decade ago.
Also recognised was noted historian Emeritus Professor Kay Saunders AM, who was awarded her UQ PhD in 1975 and worked as a UQ history professor from 2002 until her 2005 retirement.
Emeritus Professor Saunders served on the University’s Senate and published widely in the fields of race relations, the political economy of the sugar industry, Sir Samuel Griffith and the making of the Australian Constitution.
UQ Senate member and Business School Adjunct Professor Dr Sally Pitkin AO became an officer in the awards’ general division, acknowledging her distinguished service to business, corporate governance standards and performance, to the arts and to the advancement of women.
Judith Bell AM also served on the UQ Senate, and was recognised for significant service to the administration of justice, to the visual arts, and to education.
Other UQ alumni honoured included mathematician, Emeritus Professor Cheryl Praeger AC, for eminent service to mathematics and to tertiary education as a leading academic and researcher, and as a champion of women in STEM careers.
Professor Helene Marsh received an AO for distinguished service to the biological and environmental sciences, while Trish White AM was acknowledged for significant service to engineering, and to the people and Parliament of South Australia.
Professor Terry said that seeing female academics, industry and business leaders recognised served as great inspiration for UQ’s efforts to advance gender equity.
“These women are outstanding role models for females entering heavily male-dominated-areas, particularly in STEMM fields,” Professor Terry said.
Former long-serving Dean of the UQ Faculty of Arts, Donald Barrett AM, was recognised for significant service to tertiary education, particularly to the classics and ancient history.
He was Queensland’s oldest registered practising school teacher when he retired in 2018 and remains an Honorary research Associate Professor at UQ.
Other UQ community members recognised this week were:
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Mr Malcolm Hazell AO – alumnus
Major General Roger Noble AO – alumnus
Adjunct Professor Russell Reichelt AO – alumnus
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Ms Kerrin Benson AM – alumnus
Mr Antoni Bonetti AM – former staff member
Mrs Kirsty Brown AM – alumnus
Colonel Bill Kelly AM – alumnus
Dr Michael Humphrey AM – alumnus
Dr Bruce Lister AM – alumnus
Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright AM – alumnus
Ms Elizabeth Swan AM – alumnus
Dr Kevin Vandeleur AM – alumnus
Dr Carden Wallace AM – alumnus
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Mr Raymond Bange OAM – alumnus
Mr Robert Hale OAM – alumnus
Emeritus Professor John Hardy OAM – alumnus
Dr Tammy Hoffmann OAM – alumnus
Mr Brian Hollins OAM – alumnus
Dr Jeffrey Kemp OAM – alumnus
Ms Wendy Lewis OAM – alumnus
Dr Richard Loh OAM – alumnus
Mr John Martin OAM – alumnus
Dr James McGill AM – alumnus
Dr Frederick Morgan OAM – alumnus
Dr David Outridge OAM – alumnus
Dr Barbara Reynolds-Hutchinson OAM – alumnus
Mr Thomas Ryan OAM – alumnus
Mr Christopher Schull OAM – alumnus
Mrs Rosalind Williams OAM – alumnus
Dr John Youngman OAM – alumnus
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Ms Suzanne Coxon PSM – alumnus
Mr Anthony O’Dea PSM – alumnus
Australian Police Medal (APM)
Miss Melissa Adams APM – alumnus
Information on the awardees is on the Governor-General’s website.
