UNSW Sydney community recognised with Australia Day honours

UNSW academics and alumni have been acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours List 2024 in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions across a broad range of fields.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs congratulated members of the UNSW community who have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.

“These honours celebrate your exceptional achievements and contributions to local communities, to Australia, and to the world. Thank you for your extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of your fellow citizens and for being exemplars of the impact that higher education has.”  

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), said: “Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s honours list. Recipients have made a difference and had an impact at the local, national and/or international level. Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities.

“Recipients come from all parts of the country. They have served and had an impact in just about every field you can imagine; their stories and backgrounds are diverse. We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness and, today, celebrate them.

“To each recipient: know that you have the thanks and respect of your nation. In my experience most are humble and often try to deflect attention or praise – please enjoy the moment because your country has decided that you deserve recognition."

A list of Australia Day honours received by members of the UNSW community can be found below.

Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO)

Emeritus Professor Helen Lochhead, School of Built Environment. For distinguished service to architecture and urban design, to building regulation reform, to tertiary education, and to professional organisations.

Professor Sally Dunwoodie, School of Clinical Medicine. For distinguished service to medical research as an embryologist and geneticist, particularly in the field of foetal and neonatal heart disease.

Conjoint Associate Professor Sally McCarthy, School of Clinical Medicine. For distinguished service to emergency medicine, and to professional associations through leadership roles.

Read more: UNSW researchers win prestigious Young Tall Poppy Awards 2023

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

Conjoint Professor Jacqueline Close, School of Clinical Medicine. For significant service to medical research, and to medicine as an orthogeriatrician.

Conjoint Professor Steven Faux, School of Clinical Medicine. For significant service to rehabilitation medicine, and to medical research.

Emeritus Professor Carolyn Geczy, School of Biomedical Sciences. For significant service to immunology and vascular biology as a researcher and academic.

Conjoint Associate Professor Graham John Gumley, School of Clinical Medicine. For significant service to medicine in the field of orthopaedics.

Emeritus Professor Ross Harley, School of Art and Design. For significant service to tertiary education, and to the arts through a range of roles.

The late Emeritus Professor Adrian Lee. For significant service to tertiary education, to microbiology, and to professional organisations.

Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Dr Muriel Emmeline Watt, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. For significant service to the photovoltaic and renewable energy sector.

Associate Professor Ian James Bickerton, School of Humanities and Languages. For service to tertiary education, and to mental health support organisations.

UNSW congratulates all the members of its community who received 2024 Australia Day honours.

Read the list of UNSW alumni who received an honour.

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