La Trobe University expert members recognised in Australia Day

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow and leading public intellectual, Emeritus Professor Robert Manne AO, has been awarded an Officer of the Order (AO) in this year’s Australia Day Honours list.

Professor Manne was awarded the honour for distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary, to public affairs and to the Indigenous community.

Formerly a Professor of Politics at La Trobe, Emeritus Professor Manne is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. In 2012 he was shortlisted for the Melbourne Prize for literature, and in 2005 was voted Australia’s leading public intellectual in a Sydney Morning Herald survey. He is also Convenor of La Trobe’s Ideas and Society Program.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said that few Australians have enriched our nation’s political, intellectual and literary life more than Emeritus Professor Manne.

“As well as making an unparalleled contribution to La Trobe University for more than four decades, Robert has made very significant and influential contributions to the broader social and political culture of Australia,” Professor Dewar said.

“His devotion to public engagement is unabated and he continues in his work to present a diverse range of expert views and opinions, and to give other scholars and commentators a platform to present their ideas.”

“It’s wonderful to be celebrating Robert’s unique contributions to tertiary education and public life with this prestigious Australia Day Honours award,” Professor Dewar said.

Emeritus Professor Manne said he is deeply grateful to have received the award.

“As the child of refugees from Nazi Germany, I have given my life to three things: Love of family. University teaching where I have tried to show students that for understanding both head and heart are needed. And independent, even at times unpopular, commentary about our nation’s and our world’s political and moral trajectory,” Emeritus Professor Manne said.

Special congratulations also go to four La Trobe Professors who were recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Emeritus Professor Judith Brett AM was recognised for significant service to education and public debate, particularly in social science and politics; and Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett AM for significant service to public health policy and management, and to tertiary education.

In the field of medicine, Emeritus Professor Jill Cook AM was recognised for significant service to physiotherapy and sports medicine, and Adjunct Professor Paul G McMenamin AM for significant service to tertiary medical education.

Professor Dewar also acknowledged all the other recipients of this year’s Australia Day Honours.

“I congratulate everyone who has received Australia Day Honours today, and especially the alumni, staff and friends of La Trobe who have received these prestigious awards in recognition of their significant national and global contribution,” Professor Dewar said.

Full list of recipients
Officer of the Order of Australia
Emeritus Professor Robert M Manne AO (staff member)

For distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary, to public affairs, and to the Indigenous community.

Professor Heddy Zola AO (former staff member)

For distinguished service to medical research, particularly immunology and immunopathology, and to professional associations.

Member of the Order of Australia
Dr Claude Bernard AM (former staff member)

For significant service to medical research, and to education.

Emeritus Professor Judith M Brett AM (former staff member)

For significant service to education and public debate, particularly in social science and politics.

Emeritus Professor Jill L Cook AM (alumni and current staff member)

For significant service to physiotherapy, and to sports medicine.

Dr Marcia T Devlin AM (alumni)

For significant service to higher education, and to women.

Emeritus Professor Stephen J Duckett AM (alumni and former staff member)

For significant service to public health policy and management, and to tertiary education.

Mary A Lyttle AM (alumni)

For significant service to aged care, and to community health.

Adjunct Professor Paul G McMenamin AM (staff member)

For significant service to tertiary medical education.

Margaret M Webb AM (alumni)

For significant service to education governance, to Indigenous students, and as a mentor.

Medal of the Order Of Australia
Peter Burns OAM (alumni)

For service to the community, and to youth.

Jill E Fenwick OAM (alumni)

For service to community history preservation.

Sarah E Foley OAM (alumni)

For service to community health.

Professor Chyrisse Heine OAM (alumni and former staff member)

For service to speech pathology.

Dr Catherine Oke OAM (alumni)

For service to local government, and to the environment.

Dr Margaret R Stuckey OAM (alumni and staff member)

For service to community health.

Professor Kulasekara M Wijeratne OAM (alumni and Honorary visiting fellow)

For service to medicine as a neurologist.

Rozanna Zalewsk OAM (alumni)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Public service medal
Christopher J Field PSM (alumni)

For outstanding public service as Ombudsman and President of the International Ombudsman Institute.

Simon G Phemister PSM (alumni)

For outstanding public service through policy and program delivery, particularly within regions and agriculture.