UON salutes Australia Day honours recipients

Monday, 29 January 2018

The University of Newcastle congratulates and celebrates all Australians named in the 2018 Australia Day honours. In particular, we recognise members of the UON community who received honours.

Australia Day honours 2018

These exceptional Australians include:

Laureate Professor Nicholas Talley, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC): The highly-respected accolade recognises Professor Talley’s ‘eminent service to medical research, and to education in the field of gastroenterology and epidemiology, as an academic, author and administrator at the national and international level, and to health and scientific associations’. Professor Talley, who is a global authority on functional gut disorders, that affect more than one in five Australians, said he was deeply humbled by the honour. Read more.

Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia:

Laureate Professor Scott Sloan, AO, for distinguished service to education, particularly in the field of geotechnical engineering, as an academic and researcher, to professional associations, and as a mentor of young engineers. Professor Sloan is the director of the University's Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling and also leads the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical Science and Engineering. Under Professor Sloan's leadership, the University has long been a leader in computational modelling in the field. His development of faster and more efficient methods of calculating the load capacity for buildings and structures has drawn acclaim from around the world.

Professor Mark Burry, AO, for distinguished service to spatial information architecture as an academic, researcher and author, and as an innovator in the application of digital manufacturing and construction methods.  Conjoint Professor with the University of Newcastle’s School of Architecture and Built Environment.

Ms Belinda Jane Clark, AM, AO, for distinguished service to cricket as a player, captain and administrator, through support for national and international professional councils, and as a role model for young sportswomen. The University awarded Ms Clark an honorary Degree - Doctor of Education in 2000.

Mr Peter Hammond Robson, AO, for distinguished service to business through research and development in government advisory and leadership roles in the manufacturing and industrial relations sectors, and to engineering. Mr Robson graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1967.

Member (AM) of the Order of Australia:

Conjoint Professor Richard Anicich, AM, for his service to the community, business development, medical research and the law. Professor Anicich is a former partner, now consultant to Sparke Helmore, director and former president of Hunter Business Chamber and a Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) Foundation member, among other roles. Appointed a Conjoint Professor of Practice with the University’s School of Law in the Faculty of Business and Law, in 2014, he is a member of both the Faculty and School of Law advisory boards. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the community.

Ms Sandra Berenger, AM, for significant service to nursing in the field of infection prevention and control, as a clinician and consultant, and to medical associations. Ms Berenger is a former Conjoint lecturer with the University.

Dr Colin Ross Chilvers, AM, for significant service to medicine in the field of anaesthesia as a clinician, to medical education in Tasmania, and to professional societies. Dr Chilvers graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle in 1985.

Dr Gillian Gale, AM, for significant service to children who are blind or have low vision as an educator, and to learning support and education integration programs. Recipient of a Doctor of Education (Honoris causa) from the University of Newcastle in 2001.

Emeritus Professor Noeline Kyle, AM, for significant service to history, and to higher education, as a researcher, author and educator, and through advisory roles for arts funding programs. Professor Kyle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1980.

Ms Jennifer Lang, AM, for significant service to the higher education sector, particularly to international student recruitment, and to export market growth. Master of Early Childhood Education 1993; Master of Education 1993; Bachelor of Education 1985; Bachelor of Arts 1982; Diploma in Teaching 1980.

The Honourable Edward Pickering, AM, for significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales, and to the community. Mr Pickering graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Newcastle in 1964.

Associate Professor Morton Rawlin, AM, for significant service to the medical profession particularly through governance in the areas of general practice and medical education. Master of Medical Science (Clinical Epidemiology) 1999; Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology 1998; Bachelor of Medicine 1982.

Professor Richard Keith Wortley, AM, for significant service to criminology and psychology through the development of security and crime science education. His contributions include serving as the University College London’s Director of the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, Head, Department of Security and Crime Science, and Professor of Crime Science, since 2010. Professor Wortley graduated with a University of Newcastle Bachelor of Arts in 1978.

Mr Ian Kenneth Ellis, APM, Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to youth, and to the community. Associate Diploma in Police Studies 1986.

Professor Maria Crotty, Public Service Medal (PSM), for outstanding public service in the rehabilitation sector in South Australia. Professor Crotty graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine in 1983.

For a full list of Australia Day honours recipients visit the Governor General’s website.

Related news