UNSW Sydney community celebrates recipients of Australia Day Honours

UNSW academics, alumni, colleagues, former colleagues and community members have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.

Professor John Alexander Church, Professor of Oceans, Climate and Sea-level, Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC) at UNSW Science has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “for distinguished service to climate science through oceanographic and sea-level research and publications”.

Professor Church has played a leading role in establishing a consistent and robust record of sea-level change. His work has contributed to assessments of the science of climate change by the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and to the World Climate Research Program, as well as in the public debate on the evidence and underlying science of climate change.

Read more: Explainer: why sea level will rise for decades after we reach net zero carbon 

UNSW Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Anne Simmons AM congratulated all members of the UNSW community who received awards.

“You were nominated by your peers for your achievements and contribution to your community and to Australia. Thank you for your exceptional work and commitment to improve the lives of others.”

Professor Mark Sullivan, Honorary Professor of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, Kirby Institute at UNSW has also been appointed an AO, “for distinguished service to medical research, to business and to education”.

Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM)

Professor Leslie Burnett, Principal Medical Geneticist and Medical Director within the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Conjoint Professor at St Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to pathology, to medical research, and to professional societies.

Professor Geoffrey Paul Delaney, Director of Cancer Services South Western Sydney Local Health District and Conjoint Professor of Radiation Oncology at UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to oncology and cancer services, and to tertiary education.

Professor Brian Michael Draper, board member and Conjoint Professor School of Psychiatry, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service as a psychiatrist to tertiary education, to medicine, and to the community.

Professor Emerita Andrea Durbach, UNSW Law & Justice. For significant service to the law, to human rights and to tertiary education.

Associate Professor Robert Housley Farnsworth, Conjoint Associate Professor, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to medicine in the field of urology, and to professional associations.

Daniel Gauchat, Director UNSW Foundation. For significant service to tertiary education, to cultural organisations, and to business.

Professor Mark Stephen Hertzberg, Adjunct Professor of Haemotology at UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to haematology, to tertiary education, and to research.

Susan Elizabeth Horwitz, advisor, Dean's Advisory Council, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture. For significant service to the community, and to sport.

Professor Tuan Van Nguyen, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology, School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to medical research, to osteoporosis and fracture prevention, and to tertiary education.

Professor Emeritus Arie Rotem, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to tertiary education, and to public health.

The late Professor Geoffrey Symonds, Kirby Institute and Conjoint Professor, UNSW Medicine & Health. For significant service to medical research, particularly through gene therapy.

Professor John Matthew Williams, former deputy head of Basser College at UNSW. For significant service to tertiary education, to the law, and to professional organisations.

Major Kenneth John McKAY RFD, former honorary secretary of University of New South Wales Regiment Association and co-author of the History of the University of New South Wales Regiment 1952-2006. For service to veterans, and to history preservation.

Dr Ian Stewart, former Senior Lecturer, Rural Clinical School, Wagga Campus, UNSW Medicine & Health. For service to medicine through a range of roles.

UNSW congratulates all the members of its community who received 2022 Australia Day Honours.

Find the full list of recipients on the Governor-General’s website.

Read the list of UNSW alumni who received awards.