UNSW Canberra graduates recognised in 2023 King's Birthday Honours

More than 30 UNSW Canberra alumni have been recognised in the first King’s Birthday Honours in more than 70 years.

Three UNSW Canberra graduates were appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – Lieutenant General Natasha Fox CSC, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond RAN, and Mr Alan Whalley. The general division award recognises distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large, and the military division recognises distinguished service in responsible positions.

Lieutenant General Fox, who was previously awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, was recognised for her distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force people capability as Head People Capability and Deputy Chief of Army.

Vice Admiral Hammond, another previous recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia, was recognised for distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior command roles.

Mr Whalley was recognised for distinguished service to business, particularly the defence capability industry, to the public sector, to aviation history, and to the community.

Six UNSW Canberra graduates were named a Member of the Order of Australia.

Twenty UNSW Canberra graduates received either a Distinguished Service Medal, Conspicuous Service Medal, or Conspicuous Service Cross, including Lieutenant Colonel David Cave who received a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding devotion to duty in training, command, and academic leadership as the Commanding Officer of the Australian Defence Force Academy.

UNSW Canberra Dean and Rector Professor Emma Sparks congratulated all recipients of a King’s Birthday Honour.

“It is wonderful to see so many of our graduates take what they have learned at UNSW Canberra and apply it in their professional careers for the betterment of Australia,” Professor Sparks said.

“The award recipients serve as an excellent example to our current students and recent graduates of what they can achieve with hard work and dedication.”

The UNSW Canberra graduates were among 111 total alumni across the entirety of UNSW to receive an award.

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

“Recipients have made substantial contributions and had a significant impact at the local, national or international level,” the Governor-General said.

“Some are volunteers, others have had a remarkable impact in professional roles – many have done both. They are all inspiring and their service is valued by us all.”

2023 King’s Birthday Honours - UNSW Canberra alumni

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

• Lieutenant General Natasha Fox AM CSC
• Mr Alan Whalley
• Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM RAN

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

• Brigadier Hugh Meggitt CSC
• Brigadier Warren Gould
• Brigadier Glenn Ryan CSC
• Colonel Andrew Langford
• Commodore Nicole Curtis
• Major Tim Connolly

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

• Lieutenant Commander Anthony McCann

Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

• Flight Lieutenant Michael Que Hee CSC

Commendation for Distinguished Service

• Colonel Michael Lowe

Bar to the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC and Bar)

• Colonel Amanda Johnston CSC
• Lieutenant Colonel Roger Pilton CSC

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

• Captain Ben Hissink
• Colonel Sally McClellan
• Group Captain Angeline Lewis
• Group Captain Patrick Del Guidice
• Group Captain Ashley Howell
• Lieutenant Colonel Roland Spackman
• Lieutenant Colonel David Cave
• Lieutenant Colonel Matthew O'Donnell
• Lieutenant Colonel Amber Humphreys
• Lieutenant Colonel Shamus Armstrong
• Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Wheadon
• Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Deacon CSM
• Warrant Officer David Turnbull
• Wing Commander Justin Ryder

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

• Flight Lieutenant Brenton Goodin
• Flight Lieutenant Jorgia Broadbent
• Lieutenant Fiona Nguyen
• Lieutenant Colonel Neil Glasson
• Lieutenant Colonel Scott Fletcher

Public Service Medal (PSM)

• Mr Jacob Jackson