Our very own Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his distinguished service to education through leadership roles in the university sector, and to professional organisations.
Professor Dewar said he was humbled and honoured to receive the award.
“This award is an important recognition of the vital importance of higher education in Australia,” Professor Dewar said.
“I am very fortunate to have worked with some amazing people in the university sector, and I am lucky to work with such a talented and supportive team at La Trobe.”
Past La Trobe Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Tasneem Chopra, has also been recognised. Ms Chopra received a Medal for the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of roles.
Tasneem is a cross-cultural consultant who speaks across the private and public sector to issues of cultural competence, gender, leadership and intersectional discrimination. Tasneem is also Board Chair of Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights as well as Board Member of The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Special congratulation also goes to Carly Findlay, who was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to people with a disability. Carly Findlay is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. She writes on disability issues for publications in relation to her rare, severe skin condition called ichthyosis.
Congratulations again to all those who were recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Awards. We're proud to celebrate the following individuals:
Australian Police Medal (APM)
Peter Brigham APM: Master of Business Administration, 2006; Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, 2004; Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, 2003; Graduate Certificate in Fraud Investigation, 2002
David Jones APM: Bachelor of Arts 1992, Graduate Certificate in Fraud Investigation 2002
Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)
Kenneth Whittle ASM: Graduate Diploma of Rehabilitation Studies, 1996
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Emeritus Professor Richard Broome AM: La Trobe University Staff Member
For significant service to education in the field of history, and to historical groups
Elaine Carbines AM: Graduate Diploma in Humanities, 1988
For significant service to conservation and the environment.
Alana Johnson AM: Bachelor of Arts, 1977; Bachelor of Social Work, 1979
For significant service to women through leadership and advisory roles
Erica Frydenberg AM: Doctor of Philosophy, 1990; Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, 1979
For significant service to psychology as a researcher, educator and adviser
Colleen Pearce AM: Diploma of Education, 1984
For significant service to the community through public advocacy roles
John Fitzgerald AM: La Trobe University Former Staff Member
For significant service to higher education, particularly in the field of Chinese studies
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Tasneem Chopra OAM: Master of International Development, 2012
For service to the community through a range of roles
Carly Findlay OAM: Bachelor of Electronic Commerce, 2003
For service to people with a disability
The Honourable Sherryl Garbutt OAM JP: Bachelor of Education, 2006
For service to the people and Parliament of Victoria
Linda George OAM: Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary), 2006
For service to music education
Sandy Jeffs OAM: Bachelor of Arts, 1976
For service to mental health organisations
Russell Kerr OAM: Bachelor of Arts, 1972; Diploma of Education, 1975
For service to education
Professor Craig Purdam OAM: Doctor of Science (honoris causa), 2018
For service to sports administration, and to physiotherapy
Dr Clare Wright OAM: La Trobe University Staff Member
For service to literature, and to historical research
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Professor Hal Hill AO: Diploma of Education, 1972
For distinguished service to education in the field of economic policy development, and to Australia-Indonesia relations
Jacqueline Mcgill AO: Master of Business Administration, 2008
For distinguished service to the minerals and mining sector, and to gender equity and workplace diversity
Professor John Dewar AO: Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University
For distinguished service to education through leadership roles in the universities sector, and to professional organisations
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Clare Douglas PSM: Graduate Diploma of Health Administration, 1997
For outstanding public service to health administration in Queensland
Noelene Duff PSM: Bachelor of Social Work, 1982
For outstanding public service to local government in Victoria
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)
Lieutenant Peter Asimakis CSM: Bachelor of Space Science (Honours), 2006
For meritorious achievement as a lead member of the Sea Training Unit Defence Cooperation Programme
