Flinders University will mark the outstanding contributions of five esteemed South Australian figures this month, bestowing them with honorary doctorates during graduation ceremonies at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Seldom awarded, Flinders University Honorary degrees are presented to distinguished members of the community, whose extraordinary leadership has changed lives. Recipients of the Doctor of the University come from all walks of life and have made their mark through contributions that have made genuine impact.
Recipients include Paul Vasileff, designer and founder of Paolo Sebastian, and Alister Haigh, Chief Executive of Haigh's Chocolates. They join a range of others recognised for their contribution to community and embodying the values of courage, innovation, integrity and excellence that make Flinders a strong and distinctive institution.
Flinders University's Chancellor John Hood says, "I am delighted to formally acknowledge our admiration and recognition of our honorary graduates and welcome them into the Flinders' family. The awards acknowledge five distinguished figures with a record of achievement and innovation in very different fields. I would like to congratulate our deserving recipients upon these distinguished honours for their commitment to their crafts, and lasting impact their dedication has made."
2024 Honorary doctorate recipients:
Alister Haigh, who will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa, is the Chief Executive of Haigh's Chocolates, Australia's oldest family-owned chocolate manufacturing retailer. Alister has been leading the company for nearly thirty years, growing the family business substantially. Haigh's now employs more than 900 people and currently produces over 1,000 tonnes of chocolate annually. Haigh's Chocolates is serious about its responsibilities for sustainable farming. Eighty percent of the cocoa beans they source from around the world come from Rainforest Alliance certified farms and their aim is to achieve buying 100 percent certified cocoa beans within the next two-to-three years.
"Mr Haigh is a richly deserving recipient of the award of Doctor of the University honoris causa in recognition of his outstanding leadership and innovation at the helm of the South Australian family owned and run business, Haigh's Chocolates," says Chancellor Hood.
Paul Vasileff, who will receive a Doctor of Letters honoris causa, is the Creative Director and Founder of South Australian couture house, Paolo Sebastian. At just 17 years old, Paul debuted his first collection which was entirely designed, drafted, and hand-sewn by himself. In 2017, he was awarded Young Australian of the Year for his work in founding Paolo Sebastian and its contribution to the Australian fashion industry. Later that same year, he was awarded Designer of The Year in the Prix de Marie Claire Awards. Determined to create a local brand, the Paolo Sebastian designs are handmade in Adelaide with each piece brought to life through the mastery of Paul and his team of specialised seamstresses. Paolo Sebastian is worn by celebrities walking the red carpets of the Golden Globes, the Met Gala, the Oscars and the Logies. Notably, Paolo Sebastian has dressed the likes of Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Rebel Wilson, Hailey Steinfeld, Heidi Klum, Sydney Sweeney, Adut Akech, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
"In recognition that Paul Vasileff has truly made his mark in the fashion industry with his unique skills, passion for couture, and scope of creative vision, Flinders University would like to present him with a Doctor of Letters honoris causa," says Chancellor Hood.
Taryn Brumfitt, who will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa, is an award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and internationally sought-after keynote speaker with a global crusade to help people embrace their bodies. Named Australian of the Year in 2023, she is a fiercely passionate advocate for social change whose message has reached over 200 million people worldwide. She is the co-executive Director of The Embrace Collective, founder of the Body Image Movement, director of the Embrace and Embrace Kids films, and author of five books. Flinders University is proud to partner with The Embrace Collective through the work of the Embrace Impact Lab. This collaboration enables multidisciplinary researchers to connect research, policy, and practice to improve body image, health, and wellbeing at every stage of life.
"With a powerful, universal message to help people embrace their bodies and an unwavering commitment to her cause, Taryn Brumfitt is a true force to be reckoned with and an extremely worthy recipient of a Doctor of the University honoris causa from Flinders University," says Chancellor Hood.
Robert 'Alfie' Hannaford AM, who will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa, is recognised as one of Australia's premier realist painters. His works feature many prominent public figures, including Dame Joan Sutherland and Sir Donald Bradman. He is a multiple award-winner including the Archibald People's Choice Award three times - and the Doug Moran Portrait Prize. He won the inaugural Fleurieu Landscape Prize in 1998. Hannaford was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours list for significant service to the visual arts as a painter and sculptor. Hannaford is also a committed lover of Australian native flora and fauna and was the visionary and founding member of the Bushland Conservation Company and Hesters Conservation Company, which aims to preserve biodiversity by buying land on Kangaroo Island, and elsewhere in South Australia, and planting regional flora.
"Robert Hannaford AM is an extremely worthy recipient of a Doctor of the University honoris causa from Flinders University in recognition of his contribution to the art world across the past 60 years and his ongoing commitment to conservation in South Australia," says Chancellor Hood.
Patricia Vilimas (Pat), who will receive a Doctor of Science honoris causa, is a Technical Officer, Microscopy and Pathology in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University. 2024 marks the 50th year of Pat's continued employment at Flinders. While this alone is outstanding, Pat's achievements are not based solely on longevity. Rather, they are best reflected by her outstanding contributions to both Flinders and to medical research. Based on her humility to remain in the background, Pat chose not to be a co-author on most of her research. However, she is officially 'acknowledged' in over 100 peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating her contributions to these works. The impact of this research is illustrated by these publications being cited over 8,000 times by others in the field, a record many Professors will not achieve in their career.
"In recognition of the excellence and rigour of her scientific work for 50 years within the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, Patricia Vilimas is awarded a Doctor of Science honoris causa," says Chancellor Hood.
A full list of Flinders University honorary doctorates is available here.
