Alumni Awards - Previous recipients

2019 Flinders University Alumni Awardees

The achievements of nine outstanding Flinders University graduates, across a range of professions, were acknowledged at the 2019 Flinders University Alumni Award ceremony. The event was held in the Mortlock Chamber of the State Library of South Australia on Thursday 27 February 2020.

2019 Convocation Medal recipients

Professor Anne Kavanagh

BMBS ’87

Awarded for her outstanding leadership and the advancement of research and knowledge on health inequities particularly the health of people with disabilities.

Dr Olivia Samardzic PSM

BSc(Hons) '90, PhD(SE) '96

Awarded for her outstanding contribution to the national and international science, technology, engineering and mathematics community. In particular, her significant service to science and technology in support of the Australian Defence Force.

Dr Sukhvinder Badwal

PhD(PhysSc) '78

Awarded for his outstanding international leadership, research and development in the fields of energy technology and engineering.

Basia Bonkowski

BA(Hons) '75

Awarded for her significant contribution to the creative arts as a television producer and presenter, author and movie reviewer.

Kim Cheater

BEc ’86

Awarded for his significant contribution to the business community of South Australia and commitment to Reconciliation.

Alan Tucker

BA(Hons) '74, DipEd '75

Awarded for his significant contribution as an artist, author and teacher committed to sharing stories from Australian history with the younger generation.

Adjunct Associate Professor Jenny Hurley

MHlthAdmin '12

Awarded for her outstanding leadership, advocacy and commitment to the ongoing development of nursing and midwifery practices within South Australia.

Shona Reid

BBehavSc '00

Awarded for her significant contribution and commitment to the advancement and rights of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.

Professor Liz Eckermann (1949-2019)

BA(Hons) '77, MA(SocSc)(Res) '85, PhD(SocSc) '94

Awarded for her outstanding international leadership in health research to improve the quality of life for underprivileged and marginalised people around the world.

Previous Convocation Medal recipients

2018

Dr Garry Karner BSc(Hons) ’75, for his leadership and the advancement of fundamental geological research, the advancement of professional practice through development of the Quantitative Basin Analysis software and for being a relentless champion and mentor of young research scientists.

Professor Karen Reynolds GradCertTertEd’98, for her outstanding contributions to the University, South Australia and internationally through the Medical Device Partnering Program and as a leader in the field of biomedical engineering more widely, as well as a champion of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine.

2017

Dr Lam Minh Yen MSC(HS) (Res) '02, for her considerable contribution, leadership and advancement of professional practice in the research and treatment of tropical diseases.

Professor Craig T Simmons FTSE PhD (SE) '97, for his substantial and outstanding contributions to leadership and the advancement of knowledge, professional practice and community service in groundwater science, education, management and policy.

1991-2016

Dr Wenju Cai, PhD EarthSc ’93, Director, Centre for Southern Oceans Research, CSIRO. For leadership and advancement of knowledge in the field of ocean and atmospheric science. (2016)

Junling Liu, BTeach MIntBusAdmin, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of Chinese online retailer, Yihaodian, for outstanding contribution, internationally, in the areas of leadership and the advancement of professional practice in online retailing. (2013)

Professor Stephen Buckman AM, BSc BSc(Hons) PhD, School Director, Atomic and Molecular Physics Laboratory, Australian National University and Research Director, Centre for Antimatter - Matter Studies, for outstanding and sustained leadership and contributions locally, nationally and internationally in the field of Antimatter – Matter interactions. (2012)

Dr Craig Roberts, BSc, BSc (Hons), PhD PhysSc, Senior Scientist and Leader of the Theory Group, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA, for outstanding leadership and contributions internationally in Hadron Physics. (2009)

Professor Terence Tao,BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc Flin, PhD Princeton, Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), for outstanding achievement and contribution internationally to mathematics. (2008)

Dr Michael Fenech, PhD Flin, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Human Nutrition, Adelaide, foroutstanding leadership in, and contribution to, the international field of environmental health science. (2007)

Anne Morris, BNgEd Sturt CAE, MPHC Flin, International humanitarian worker, for outstanding leadership in, and contribution to, humanitarian work in Africa and the Middle East. (2006)

Professor David Nunan, PhD Flin, Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director of the English Centre, the University of Hong Kong; President, and Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Anaheim University, California, for outstanding achievement and contribution internationally to the profession of Teaching of English as a Second Language. (2006)

Mr Neil Mules AO, BA Hons Humanities GradDipEd Flin, Australian Ambassador to Mexico, for excellent contribution to and outstanding achievement in diplomacy on behalf of Australia. (2005)

Ms Bernadette McMenamin AO, BA SocSc Flin, Founder, Child Wise Ltd, for outstanding achievement in child protection and service to the community. (2004)

Professor Philip Bourne, BSc BSc Hons PhD Flin, Department of Pharmacology at the University of California San Diego, Director of Integrative Biosciences at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, for outstanding leadership in the advancement of professional practice in Science. (2004)

Margy Burn, BA Flin DipLibSt Adel, Assistant Director-General, Australian Collections and Reader Services, National Library of Australia, Canberra. (2003)

Dr Peter Mansfield, BMBS Flin, Medical Practitioner, campaigner against inappropriate marketing of pharmaceuticals. (2003)

Ms Noni Hazlehurst AM, BA Flin, actor, television host, children's issues and environmental activist. (2002)

Mario Andreacchio, BA Flin, film producer, director, screenwriter. (2002)

Mem Fox AM, DipT (Drama) Rose Bruford College London BA BEd Flin GradDip (Language Arts)UniSA DLitt (honoris causa)Woll, author and educator. (2001)

John Moriarty AM, BA Flin DUniv UniSA, Chairman, Jumbana Pty Ltd. (2001)

Professor Leanna Read, BSc Hons Adel PhD Flin, CEO, CRC for Tissue Growth and Repair. (2000)

Dr Rodney Watkins, BAppSc MAppSc Melb LOSc VCOP DIC London PhD Flin, CEO Scan Optics Pty Ltd. (2000)

Dr Christopher Baggoley, BSocAdmin BMBS Flin, Director, Emergency Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre and Ashford Hospital. (1999)

Gale Edwards, BA Flin BEd Adel Director's Course NIDA, International Theatre Director. (1999)

Susan Tanner, BA (Hons) Flin, Australian Ambassador to Chile. (1998)

Professor Carl Bridge, BA Syd PhD Flin, Head Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, University of London. (1997)

Associate Professor Timothy Roberts, BSc Adel PhD Flin,Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle. (1996)

Dr Don Russell, BEc Flin MEc ANU PhD LSE, Australian Ambassador to the United States of America. (1995)

Professor Rodney Brooks, BSc (Hons) MSc Flin PhD Stanf, Head Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1994)

Professor Anwar Waqar, MSc Punj PhD Flin, Chairman, Faculty of Biochemistry, Aga Khan University, Pakistan. (1993)

Dr Joseph Smith, BA MA Flin PhD Adel, QE II Fellow in Philosophy. (1992)

Professor Anthony Thomas, PhD Flin DSc Adel FAA, Elder Professor of Physics, The University of Adelaide. (1991)

Previous Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

2018

Associate Professor Anne Johnson AM DipT(NursEd) ’86, PhD(Med) ’99, for her significant contribution to community health, through leadership, advocacy and collaboration in health promotion and child safety projects, particularly Kidsafe SA.

Dr Jenny Baker MPHC ’95, PhD(SS) ‘07, for her significant contribution within the field of public health, and in particular the advancement of Indigenous health both in Australia and internationally, as an advisor, researcher and Board Member.

Professor Brett Bowden BIntSt (Hons) ’01, for his significant academic contribution internationally to the fields of history, politics and international relations.

Dr Richard Harris SC OAM BMBS ’89, for his outstanding service to the international community through his specialist response role during the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand.

Tina Karanastasis BA ’79, DipAppPsych ‘82, for her significant contribution and dedication to the community and, in particular, to those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in South Australia.

Jose Apollo Pacamalan MEnvMgmt ’05, for his significant contribution to the rice farming industry in the Philippines by pioneering a climate-smart agriculture system.

Air Vice-Marshal Dr Tracy Smart AM BMBS ‘87, for her outstanding services to, and leadership within, medicine and the Australian Defence Force.

Dr Duncan Taylor BTech(Forensic&AnalyticalChem) ’01, BSc(Hons) ’02, PhD(Biol) ’07, for his significant contribution to the field of forensic evidence and, in particular, to the development of DNA interpretation software.

2017

Dr Kate Barnett BA '70, DipEd '71, MEd '77, for her significant contribution to the community, the state, and the nation as a social policy researcher in the areas of ageing and multiculturalism.

Jessica Berry GradDipMarArchaeol '08, MMarArchaeol '08, for her significant contribution nationally and internationally to maritime archaeology.

Kirsty Boden BNg (PreReg) '10 (Posthumous award), for the indelible mark she left on those who knew her, in all that she achieved and the way in which she conducted herself throughout her lifetime.

Dr Michael Brennan BSC(Hons) '82, PhD(PsycSc) '86, for his significant contribution to the community, the state, the nation, and internationally in the areas of simulation and defence.

James Currie BA(Hons) '76, for his significant contribution over many years to the Australian and international film industries, specifically in the area of sound production.

Peter Goers OAM BA(Hons) '78, for his significant contribution to the community, the state and the nation in theatre and entertainment, cultural knowledge, broadcasting, information sharing, community engagement, and the promotion of diversity.

Louisa Minney BA '97, for her significant contribution to the community, the nation, and internationally in the area of disaster relief (crisis response).

2016

David Hobbs BSc(Physics) 1995, Bsc(Life Sciences)/BEng(Biomed)(Hons) ’01, for significant contribution to Flinders University, the community, state, nationand internationally in your chosen field; in particular for your work in the area ofrehabilitation engineering.

Geordie Brookman BA(Hons) '02, for significant contribution to the community, the state, the nation and in yourchosen field, through your contribution to Australian theatre.

Debra Jackson PhD(Ng/Midwif) '00, for significant contribution internationally and through your chosen field, inparticular for your leadership in nursing and allied health research.

Anthony Maras LLB/LP '03, for significant contribution to the community, state and nation, in particularthrough your chosen field of film making.

Peter Martin BEc(Hons) '80, for significant contribution to the community, state, nation and internationally,and through your chosen field; in particular for your commentary on economic affairs.

2015

Mary Buckskin (DipNg ’89) (1958-2015), for significant contributions to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people both through her leadership of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia and the Council of Australian Governments national reforms in Aboriginal health.

2014

Matt Johnson (BEc 2000) for significant contributions to South Australia both in Adelaide and internationally, and to Flinders University through his work on the Matthew Flinders Memorial Statue Steering Committee.

Kun Hua Wang (MHA 2007) for significant contributions to surgery and surgical research in the People’s Republic of China, and particularly in Yunnan Province.

Yingjun Lei (MAIRET 2014) for significant contributions over 20 years to legal affairs in Tianjin through his service in the Legislative Affairs Office of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.

2013

Professor Debra Anderson (MNg 1993) for significant contribution and exceptional leadership to the profession and discipline of nursing, and to the community.

Qilong Miao (MHA 2011) for significant contributions to the enhancement of hospital performance and disease prevention and control in Ningbo.

Zongyong Yu (MAIRET 2013) for significant contributions to education in Tianjin as a teacher, administrator and principal.

2012

Dr Yi Mou Zhang (MHA 2005) for significant contributions to the advancement of management education for health professionals in China.

Renhai Gong (MAIRET 2002) for significant contributions to China’s international economic and trade relations.

2011

Rong Ni (MHA 2008) for significant contribution to improving the health of the residents of the Gongshu District in Hangzhou City.

Jingrong Xu (MAIRET 2002) for significant contribution to the provision of financial and banking services in Tianjin, China.

2009

Dr Michael Raupach (PhD EarthSc 1978) for significant contributions to the understanding of the atmospheric environment.

Dr Shao Yaping (PhD EarthSc 1991) for significant contributions to atmospheric science, and modelling of wind erosion, the environment, soil moisture and dry land salinity processes.

Dr Mark Shephard OAM (MSc Med Cwk 1982) for significant contributions to the improvement of Aboriginal health in Australia and for services to the University.

2008

Dr Julie Owen (MPHC 1996) for significant contribution to Aboriginal Health promotion and education in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Dr Daniel Phillips (BSc 1990 BSc Hons 1991 PhD 1995) for significant contribution internationally to the application of Effective Field Theory to Few Body Problems in Nuclear, Atomic and Molecular Physics.

Professor Dennis Taylor (BSc 1988 BSc Hons 1989 PhD 1993) for significant contribution to the advancement of South Australia through your teaching and research, as well as to the advancement of knowledge in wine chemistry.

Dr Bruce Graham (BA Hons 1981) for significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in computational neuroscience.

Gosia Hill (BA 1983 BSocAdmin 1987) for significant contributions to Flinders University as a Council Member and Alumni Executive Committee Member, and to South Australia, and Australia as Senior Trade Commissioner Central South east Europe.

Dr Tony Lian-Lloyd (BMBS 1988) for significant contributions to South Australia as a rural doctor and medical education, and to community health education.

Professor Catherine Turner (MNg(Cwk) 1992) for significant contributions to Nursing education and population health.

Professor Andrew Cheetham (BSc 1971 BSc Hons 1972 PhD 1977) for significant contributions in plasma and fusion physics, computer controlled instrumentation, the use of IT in science and engineering education and to leadership in research and ICT.

Professor Mohammad Kaykobad (PhD 1988) for significant contributions to Computational Mathematics, and to Computer Science and Engineering Education in Bangladesh.

2007

Dr Donald Hopgood AO (PhD 1975 BTh 1997) for significant contributions to the people of South Australia through his service in the Parliament and the church.

Professor Simon Davis (BSc 1982 BSc Hons 1983 PhD 1987) for significant contributions internationally in medical research and particularly in the field of T-cell biology.

John Schumann (BA DipEd 1976) for significant contributions to the people of Australia in music, politics and social justice.

Associate Professor Cheryl Stock (BA Hons 1970) for significant achievement in Australia and internationally in dance, and dance education.

John Hood (BEc 1984 GradDipAcc 1985) for significant contributions to the University, and to business in South Australia.

Professor Alan Johnson AM (PhD 1984 MEdMgt 1992) for significant contributions in education and research in Australia, and the field of parasitology internationally.

Graham Inns (MCom 1994) for significant contribution to South Australia through his service in the public sector, to the University, management, and to charities.

Felicity-ann Lewis (DipT 1977 BEd(PhysEd) 1981 GradDipS&C 1986 MEd 2002) for significant contributions to local government in South Australia, and to the University.

Sr Bernice Bugler OAM (BSpecEd 1983) for significant contributions to the community and education in New South Wales.

Dr John How (BSc 1971 BSc Hons 1972 PhD 1977) for significant international contributions in the field of plasma fusion energy research.

2006

Martin Armiger (BA Hons 1974). Head of Screen Composition at the Australian Film and Television School.

Professor Stephen Buckman (BSc Hons, 1976 PhD 1979). Associate Director, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, ANU.

Sharon (Shon) Campbell (MPHC 1995). Regional Programme Manager for Save the Children (UK) South and Central Asia.

Dr Kevin Chan U-Jyn (BMBS 1996). Specialist in hyperbaric medicine for offshore maritime operations in Singapore.

Professor Joseph Cheng Yu-Shek (PhD 1979). Professor of Political Science at the City University of Hong Kong.

Dr Peter Clifton (PhD 1988). Director of the CSIRO Nutrition Clinic and co-author, CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

Leonie Clyne (BA Psych 1977). Managing Director of Angus Clyne Australia Pty Ltd.

Jane Covernton (BA 1972). Director of Working Title Press and co-founder of Omnibus Books.

Neil Craig (DipT 1978 BEd 1979 MA 1983). Senior Coach of the Adelaide Football Club.

Dr Matthew Davey (BMBS 2000). Intensive Care Registrar, Canberra Hospital and Navy Reserve Lieutenant (killed in helicopter crash in Indonesia in 2005).

Professor Drew Dawson (BA Hons 1986, PhD 1992). Professor of Psychology, UniSA and Director, QEH's Centre for Sleep Research.

Annie Fox (BA Hons 1987). Nationally recognised television screenwriter.

Douglas Gautier AM (BA Hons 1974). Leading international arts administrator and CEO of the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Associate Professor Pauline Glover (DipTNgEd 1980 MNgSt 1994 EdD 2001). Associate Dean (Academic), School of Nursing and Midwifery at Flinders.

Dr Christopher Gore (BEd Hons PhysEd, 1985 PhD 1989). Head, Department of Physiology at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Posie Graeme-Evans (BA 1973). Awarding winner television producer and writer.

Kerry Heysen (BA Hons 1975). Producer and creative consultant in film and television.

Professor Graeme Hugo (MA 1973). Director of Key Centre in Research and Teaching in the Social Science Applications of Geographic Information Systems, University of Adelaide.

His Excellency Peter Hussin (BA 1971). Australian Ambassador to Argentina, formerly Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Stephanie Key (BA 1981). Former Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Youth and the Status of Women in the South Australian Government.

Stephen Knapman (BA Hons 1975). Award winning film and television producer.

Greg Mackie OAM (BA 1987). Executive Director, Arts SA, founder of Imprints Booksellers and Festival of Ideas.

Professor John Miners (DSc 1997). Head, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Flinders University & Flinders Medical Centre.

Dr John Murray (BMBS 1986). Novelist and medico working in epidemiology and Third World child care programs.

Dr Manny Noakes (GDipND 1977, PhD 2000). Senior Research Dietition at CSIRO and co-author of CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

Professor Janet Oliver (BSc Hons 1967). Professor in the Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico and cancer researcher.

Andrew Paterson (BSocAdmin 1975, GDipSocSc 1980). Principal Consultant with Empower Justice Services and former Chaplain at Flinders.

Professor Kurunathan Ratnavelu (PhD 1990). Theoretical atomic physicist and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Science, Uni of Malaya.

Dr Deborah Rathjen (BSc Hons 1979). CEO & MD of leading biotechnology companies Bionomics Ltd and Illiad Chemicals.

Sr Judith Redden AO (MEdAdmin 1981). Principal of St Aloysius College.

Professor Judy Searle (BMBS 1983, GradCertTE 1992). Foundation Dean of Medicine, Griffith University.

Dr Roger Sexton, CUniv (BEc Hons 1971). Chairman, Beston Pacific Asset Management Pty Ltd.

Hon Dr Bob Such (BA Hons 1972, PhD 1987). Member of South Australian Parliament and former Speaker, House of Assembly.

Professor Acram Taji (PhD 1979). Professor of Horticultural Science at the University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales.

Dr John Tsanaktsidis (BSc Hons 1984, PhD 1990). MD, Boron Molecular Pty Ltd, now with CSIRO (Molecular & Health Technologies.

Professor Kohei Uosaki (PhD 1978). Professor of Physical Chemistry at Hokkaido University in Japan.

Professor Steven Wesselingh (BMBS 1982, PhD 1992). Director, Macfarlane Burnet Institute and leading infectious diseases researcher.

Professor Mark Wooden (BEc Hons 1985). Deputy Director, University of Melbourne's Institute of Applied Economic & Social Research.

Sue Williams* (BA Hons 2007). *Deceased in 2006. Co-founder of Omnibus Books, acclaimed publisher of children's books.

Dr Irsan Yani (PhD 1995). Former senior public servant and now Director of Accounting education programs in the Graduate School of Economics, Instit Bisnis dan Informatika, Indonesia.