Flinders University proudly acknowledges its 2025 Australia Day Honour recipients, celebrated for their pioneering contributions to higher education, research and medicine.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling congratulated the 12 staff, alumni, and associates of Flinders University who have been recognised for their outstanding achievements across diverse fields.
"Flinders people are our greatest asset, showcasing our University's fearless commitment to advancing knowledge and transforming lives globally," Professor Stirling said.
"Whether improving health outcomes, advancing cultural understanding through research, or leading the digitisation of knowledge, Flinders people worldwide are making a significant impact every single day."
Infectious diseases expert and PhD graduate (Med) '05 Professor Allen Cheng AC is one of six individuals nationally to receive the highest honour, during a period of renewed focus on emerging diseases.
Professor Cheng was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his eminent service to medicine as an epidemiologist, to infectious and communicable disease research and education, and to national and international public health policy.
"I was somewhat surprised to receive an Australia Day honour as I had assumed most people had forgotten about COVID-era minor celebrities," said Professor Cheng.
"Although I'm not convinced that individual recognition is appropriate for areas like medical research and public health, which are really 'team sports', it's humbling to join the company of so many others who have made contributions to the Australian community.
"I hope that my honour reinforces the need for Australia to have experts in obscure and not-so-obscure areas of knowledge, as we never know who we may need to call upon to guide us through unexpected events."
Archaeology Professor Claire Smith AO has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly social and anthropological archaeology, and as a national and international academic.
For over 30 years, Professor Smith has collaborated with Indigenous communities at culturally significant sites across Australia.
Her pioneering efforts in Indigenous archaeology have broken barriers between Aboriginal communities and universities, shaping archaeology to make notable contributions to Indigenous health, employment and education.
Professor Smith is the Academic Secretary of the 10th World Archaeological Congress, which will be held in Darwin, 22-28 June 2025.
A former professor in women's studies at Flinders and one of Australia's foremost historians, the late Professor Lyndall Ryan AO, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly Indigenous history and colonial settlement through research and publications.
Flinders Convocation Medallist Margaret Burn AM has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to library and information science, and to the community.
Flinders University congratulates several other alumni who have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list:
- Professor Stephen McDonald AM: Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for significant service to kidney medicine as an administrator, researcher and clinician.
- Dr David Mills AM: Awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine through international development, and rural and remote health education.
- Professor Claudine Bonder OAM: A distinguished vascular biology researcher, honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medical research.
- Peter Lane OAM: Recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to youth and to the community.
- Brenton Harold Perks OAM: Honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for contributions to horse racing and to business.
- Kerry Beck PSM: Awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding dedication to public service.
- Andrew Skelly AFSM: Recognised with an Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service.
- Josephine O'Doherty ASM: Honoured with an Ambulance Service Medal for exceptional contributions to emergency health services.
