Curtin University academic staff received half of the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) awards in Western Australia, with three academics receiving the accolade in this year’s Australia Day honours.
Professor Mike Daube, Professor Peter Newman and Associate Professor Ted Wilkes were each announced as receiving an AO this weekend.
Professor Daube from the Faculty of Health Sciences was honoured for distinguished service to medicine, particularly in the area of public health policy and reform, through advisory roles with leading national and international organisations and to youth.
Professor Newman, Director of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP), was recognised for distinguished service to science education as an academic and researcher, through contributions to urban design and transport sustainability and to the community.
Associate Professor Wilkes, from Curtin’s National Drug Research Institute was awarded for distinguished service to the Indigenous community as a leading researcher in the area of public health and welfare, for youth in Western Australia and to the provision of legal support services.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said he was delighted for the recipients and extremely proud that Curtin staff received half of the AOs awarded in WA.
“These honours not only reflect the tremendous work of the staff concerned, but also the University’s commitment to providing leadership on real world issues affecting the wider community,” he said.
“It is a fantastic achievement.
“Mike Daube is a tireless public commentator on health matters and his hard work has helped ensure the subjects of problem drinking and smoking are not only discussed widely but also tackled rigorously.
“Peter Newman is another academic who is often in the public eye for his campaigning on transport issues. He played a major role in the revival of Perth’s rail system, through the establishment of the northern suburbs line.
“Like Professors Daube and Newman, Ted Wilkes has campaigned strongly on an issue vital to the community – that of the quality of life and health of Indigenous people throughout the country.”
A number of Curtin alumni were also recognised with Australia Day honours.
