Leaders and alumni recognised in 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

University of Newcastle alumni, academics and affiliates have been recognised for their remarkable work in the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours.

Queens birthday honours 2019

Member (AM) in the General Division

Professor Geoffrey Isbister awarded an AM for ‘significant service to medical research in the field of toxicology’. Professor Isbister is a researcher in clinical toxicology and his research has focused on understanding poisoning and envenoming in patients and undertaking studies to determine the effectiveness of antidotes and antivenoms in the treatment of these conditions.

Conjoint Associate Professor Nicholas Saltos for significant service to medicine, and to education.  Associate Professor Saltos was a previous senior lecturer and clinical lecturer with the University’s medical school, and remains a Conjoint Associate Clinical Professor. From 1965 he worked as a physician at Royal Newcastle Hospital, and later at John Hunter Hospital from 1991 to 2017. He also founded the Hunter Lung Cancer Clinic.

University of Newcastle Council Member Mr Robert Kennedy for significant service to business, and to the community of the Hunter. Mr Kennedy is the former Chairman of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Board and, under his guidance, fundraising, research staff numbers and economic contribution all trebled. Mr Kennedy has served as a member of University of Newcastle Council since 2014.

Former Chairman of HMRI and supporter of the university Mr Glen Turner for significant service to the community of the Hunter. He served as the Chair of the Hunter Medical Research Foundation from 2006 to 2013, an Advisory Board Member of the Faculty of Business and Law 2009-2017 and Board Member Graduate School of Business 2009-2017. He also served as Deputy Chair and Acting Chair of Newcastle Innovation for 10 years until 2012 and a number of its advisory boards.

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia

Dr Milton Sales received an OAM for service to medicine and the community. For 30 years, Dr Sales has been following a passion for improving health care through continuing professional health education program delivery via the Hunter Postgraduate Medical Institute.

Four alumni of the University were recognised with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia.

Mr Robert Peattie for service to the community through a range of roles. Mr Peattie graduated with an Associate Diploma in Police Studies in 1986.

Miss Sally Hetherington for service to the international community through charitable initiatives. Miss Hetherington is the President and Founder of Human and Hope Association (HHA), an Australian charity that raises funds for its partner organisation in Siem Reap, Cambodia. HHA aims to empower local communities out of poverty to reduce severe inequalities. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business in 2007.

Mr Edward Tonks for service to community history, and to education. One of Newcastle's best-known historians, author, retired teacher, Mr Tonks graduated with a Diploma in Education in 1974 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1973.

Dr David McDonald for service to medicine as a paediatrician. A paediatrics senior staff specialist at Tamworth Hospital, Dr McDonald graduated with a Diploma in Medical Statistics in 2006.

Mrs Cathie Therese Angelkovic received a Public Service Medal (PSA) for outstanding public service to Revenue New South Wales. Mrs Angelkovic graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science 2000.


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