UNSW Canberra alumni recognised in 2024 King's Birthday Honours List

Thirty UNSW Canberra alumni have received an honour for exemplary service and dedication in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.

Three alumni were named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). They were Major General Anthony Rawlins AM DSC, Major General Matthew Pearse AM, and Rear Admiral Justin Jones RAN CSC.

Major General Rawlins was recognised for his distinguished service as Deputy Chief of Army and as Head Force Design Division.

Major General Pearse’s distinguished service as the Commander of both the First Brigade and Forces Command earned his recognition.

Rear Admiral Jones was recognised for distinguished service in several senior command roles in the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Defence Force Joint Operations Command and Maritime Border Command.

Two alumni, Brigadier Natasha Ludwig and Brigadier James Davis CSC, were awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) was awarded to three alumni.

Twenty-two UNSW Canberra graduates received either the Conspicuous Service Medal or Conspicuous Service Cross.

The 30 UNSW Canberra graduates were among 59 total alumni across all of UNSW to be recognised.

Governor-General David Hurley congratulated all Australians recognised on the Honours List.

“Some names are well-known, but the vast majority are not – they are people who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a difference in our community,” the Governor-General said.

“Through today’s recognition we shine a light on their efforts, the impact they have and the difference they make. On behalf of all Australians, I thank recipients for their service and congratulate them on their recognition.”

2024 King’s Birthday Honours - UNSW Canberra alumni

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Rear Admiral Justin Garred Jones CSC RAN

For distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in significant command positions.

Major General Anthony John Rawlins DSC AM

For distinguished service in responsible positions as the Deputy Chief of Army and Head Force Design Division.

Major General Matthew Richard Pearse AM

For distinguished service in responsible positions as Commander 1st Brigade and Commander Forces Command.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Brigadier Natasha Lea Ludwig

For exceptional service towards the development of Army logistics capability as Director of Logistics Army and as Commander of the 17th Sustainment Brigade.

Brigadier James Andrew Davis CSC

For exceptional service supporting the future design and employment of the Australian Defence Force, as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Director Chief of Army’s Initiatives Group, Director Joint Futures and Concepts, and Director General Future Land Warfare.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Wing Commander Matthew Peter Kelly

For meritorious service in Joint Logistics, Air Force Career Management and Initial Military Training capability development.

Commander Paul Daniel Pelczar RAN

For performance of duty as an intelligence officer in the Australian Defence Force.

Warrant Officer Class One John Matthew Lines MG

For meritorious service over the course of successive Regimental Sergeant Major appointments.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin John Howard

For outstanding achievement in the development of Infantry Fighting Vehicle capabilities in the Australian Army.

Captain Sean Archibald Andrews RAN

For outstanding achievement as the Commander Headquarters Middle East on Operation ACCORDION from September 2022 to June 2023.

Lieutenant Colonel Owain Stuart Griffiths

For outstanding devotion to duty as the Brigade Major of the 6th Brigade.

Captain Glen Andrew Miles RAN

For outstanding achievement as the Director Nuclear Powered Submarine Capability â Operational Evaluation.

Lieutenant Thomas Ralph Icke RAN

For outstanding achievement as the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Liaison officer to the United States Navy Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN in support of Operation SAVILLE from July 2021 to July 2023.

Flight Lieutenant Jack Edward Devine

For outstanding achievement as Staff Officer Grade 3 Integration, Innovation and Cyber at Headquarters Number 41 Wing.

Flight Lieutenant Scott James Taylor

For outstanding achievement in runway remediation works at Royal Australia Air Force Base Tindal and Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Dayton Saul McCarthy

For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment and Commanding Officer of the 2nd Division’s Reinforcing Battle Group.

Captain Christopher John Smith RAN

For outstanding achievement as Defence Attach, Seoul in advancing Australia’s defence relationship with the Republic of Korea.

Colonel Richard Anthony Niessl

For outstanding devotion to duty as the Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

Brigadier Nicholas Wilson

For outstanding achievement as the Director Strategic and Sensitive Issues Management Army.

Air Commodore Jarrod Lee Pendlebury

For outstanding achievement as Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations.

Lieutenant Colonel Leigh Thomas Partridge

For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of 16th Battalion, the Royal Western Australia Regiment.

Colonel Scott Jamieson

For outstanding devotion to duty as the Australian Defence Advisor Central Pacific.

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Squadron Leader Darrin John Lindsay

For meritorious achievement in security governance management and reform in Airborne Early Warning and Control, and Electronic Warfare capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Francis Bearman

For meritorious achievement as a career manager at the Directorate of Officer Career Management - Army.

Major Justin Thomas Cross

For meritorious achievement as a Project Engineer delivering key infrastructure in support of Indo-Pacific Enhance Regional Engagement.

Squadron Leader Michael Paul Berry

For meritorious achievement in airworthiness and aviation safety for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Lieutenant Commander Timothy Luke Craig RAN

For meritorious achievement as the Training Officer of 723 Squadron - Joint Helicopter School.

Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey David Price

For meritorious achievement in the provision of movements support for Australian Defence Force and whole-of-government operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Steven John Frankel CSC

For meritorious achievement commanding the Australian Defence Force element supporting the stabilisation mission in the Solomon Islands from November 2021 to March 2022.

Captain Belinda Gai Greenwood RAN

For meritorious achievement as the Director of the Defence People System Implementation.