Distinguished Professor Justine Smith AM leads a list of 18 fearless Flinders University staff and graduates who have been celebrated in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.
The King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List recognises and celebrates 1,192 recipients, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
Professor Smith AM (Phd(Med) ’99) has been named a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to ophthalmology, particularly research and education. Professor Smith AM was also the recipient of a Convocation Medal in the 2022 Flinders University Alumni Awards.
Academic status holders Scientia Professor Rebecca Ivers AM and Dr Philip Tideman AM were recognised in this year’s honours list for significant service to community health through injury prevention research and education and for significant service to rural and remote medicine, respectively.
Flinders University graduates Sue Broadway AM and Dr Neville Highett AM were recognised, with Ms Broadway (BA ’77) honoured for her significant service to circus performance and to physical theatre, while Dr Highett (BEd ’85) was awarded for his significant service to education in South Australia, and to the community.
Professor Michael Kidd AO (DipComChildHealth ’89) was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service in medical administration and community health, to primary care leadership, and to tertiary education.
Six Flinders University graduates received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of service to their respective fields.
Michael Bakker OAM (DipT ’82, BEd ’83) was awarded for service to secondary education, while Dr Andrew Barling OAM (BM, BS ’87) received his honour for service to community health and Mr Ross Barnett OAM (BSocAdmin ’94) for service to multicultural affairs in Victoria.
Mrs Susanne Harris OAM (DipAppSc(Nurs) ’83) was recognised for her service to youth, particularly to young women; Geoffrey Moore OAM (BSc ’69) for service to athletics, and Mr William Sergeant OAM (MHlthServMgmt ’96) for service to the LGBTIQ+ community of South Australia.
The Public Service Medal was awarded to four Flinders University graduates. Dr Claire Huppatz PSM (BM,BS ’98) received her medal for outstanding public service through management of public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic; Dr Christopher Lease PSM (BAppSc(EnvHlth) ’95, BSc(Hons) ’96, PhD(Biol) ’06) for outstanding public service to the people of South Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic response; Mr David Matthews PSM (GCertPubSecMgmt ’03) for outstanding public service in leading the ACT Education Directorate’s transitions to remote learning and back to face-to-face learning; and Dr Neil Maycock PSM (BSc(Hons) ’78, BM, BS ’85) for outstanding public service in providing safe and high-quality care for patients in public hospitals.
The Australian Police Medal (APM) was awarded to Acting Superintendent Dale Robinson APM (GCertPubSecMgmt ’14) and the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) was awarded to Ms Thamsin Dunn ASM (BParamedicSc ’15).
Flinders University congratulates all these award recipients, who are showing the world how the influence of Flinders University is helping to change lives for the better, around the world.
For more information about the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours, click here.