Alumni Highlights
Dr Gary Quinlan AO
The Alumni Medal - 2018
Gary Quinlan is Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Deputy Secretary, and Australia’s Senior Official to ASEAN and to the East Asia Summit. He was Australia’s chief negotiator with Timor-Leste on maritime boundaries. He has served as Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, and has held senior positions in DFAT responsible for North Asia, the Americas and Europe. He has previously served overseas as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York; Australia’s Representative on, and President of, the United Nations Security Council; Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Washington; and High Commissioner to Singapore.
As a skilled and proven diplomat, Gary was selected and appointed as the Australian Representative on the United Nations Security Council for the 2013 - 2014 term, representing Australia on matters of international peace and security. In 2016, Gary was part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, being awarded the Office of the Order of Australia. In 2007, his exemplary achievements were recognised by The University of Newcastle with an Honorary Degree Doctor of Letters.
Dr Gary Quinlan AO
Honorary Degree - Doctor of Letters 2007; Bachelor of Arts 1973
Alumni Excellence Awards
The Alumni Medal
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.