Expert on plant evolution, Dr Patricia Selkirk, and leading LGBTQ+ historian Dr Shirleene Robinson were among more than two dozen Macquarie staff, alumni and affiliates recognised with top honours by the Governor-General this year.

Dr Patricia Selkirk was awarded the highest accolade in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, becoming a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for eminent service to science and conservation. An Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Natural Sciences and recipient of the Australian Antarctic Medal in 2004, Patricia is one of only eight people to be awarded the AC this year. The award recognises her research on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, her contribution to tertiary education, and her commitment to being a mentor and champion for women.

Patricia has been a Lecturer in Plant Evolution for over 20 years at Macquarie and was instrumental in developing the Antarctic Research Unit. Patricia, a plant biologist, was one of the first Australian female scientists to spend a lengthy amount of time in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island, becoming a trailblazer in Antarctic science. She is the author of more than 80 papers on a diverse range of Antarctic subjects, including landscape-level geomorphology, vegetation history, plant reproduction and sub-cellular genetics.

Dr Shirleene Robinson, Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations, was appointed a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for ‘significant service to the LGBTQ+ community, to marriage equality, and to history’.

Shirleene is a leading historian of LGBTQ+ Australia, HIV/AIDS history, social movements, Aboriginal-European contact history, the history of childhood and oral history. The Conversation named her as one of Australia’s top fifty thinkers in 2017. Dr Robinson has authored and edited eleven books, as well as other publications, covering topics ranging from marriage equality to military service, and contributes to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Brisbane Times, Huffington Post, ABC News, SBS News, Pink News and many other publications.

“Honours never belong to one person but recognise all who give so much and guide us on our way. It’s been a great privilege to have volunteered alongside some of the best people I’ve ever known,” Shirleene tweeted.

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Our extended Macquarie community, including former staff and alumni, are represented well in this year’s Honours list.

Former staff awarded, in alphabetical order:

Dr Deidre (Dee) Anderson, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Students and Registrar, was awarded an AM for significant service to tertiary education and sports administration. Dee is also an alum, having completed her PhD at Macquarie.

Professor Emerita Deborah Brennan, alumna and former staff, was awarded an AM for significant service to social policy research, gender equality and tertiary education.

Dr Cecile Ferguson, former Research Associate and PhD Student was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to people with disability and to the community.

Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai, former Macquarie tutor in Biological Sciences, was awarded an AM for significant service to agriculture and food science research, and to education.

Robert Gardiner, a Member and Supporter of the Rundle Foundation for Egyptian Archaeology at Macquarie since 1978 was awarded an OAM for service to the community through a range of roles.

Emeritus Professor Anne Green, former Advisory Board Member of the Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astrophotonics Research Centre, was awarded an AC for eminent service to science, particularly physics and astrophysics, as an educator and researcher, as a mentor to colleagues and students, and a role model to women.

Dr Anita Heiss, 2004 Writer-in-Residence and Deputy Director of the Warawara Department of Indigenous Studies in 2005-2006 was awarded an AM for significant service to tertiary Indigenous studies and to the arts.

Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, former Associate Dean Education, Learning and Education, was awarded an AO for distinguished service to tertiary education and governance as an administrator, leader and mentor.

Professor Lester Johnson taught at Macquarie 1976-1989 and was awarded an OAM for service to tertiary education.

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, former Visiting Professor at Macquarie’s Australian School of Advanced Medicine, was awarded an AO for distinguished service to medical research, particularly to epidemiology and infection prevention, to tertiary education, and to health administration.

Alumni named in the honours list, in alphabetical order:

Professor Shirley Alexander was awarded an AM for significant service to tertiary education administration and learning technologies.
Joanne Andrew was awarded an OAM for service to community of Sarsfield.
Susan Baker was awarded an OAM for service to conservation and the environment.
Michael Bath was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding support of Australia’s finance and securitisation market during the 2008-09 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew Cappie-Wood was awarded an AO for distinguished service to public administration in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Rosemary Davidson was awarded a PSM for outstanding public service to the Children’s Court of New South Wales.
Gregory Davies was awarded an Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
Suzanne Dominguez was awarded an OAM for service to the museums and galleries sector.
Maria Doogan was awarded an OAM for service to the law and the judiciary.
Kathleen Doyle was awarded an OAM for service to the community by supporting charitable organisations.
Steven Duffy Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).
Sally-Ann Edwards was awarded a PSM for outstanding public service to the Isisford community.
Catherine Fox was awarded an AM for significant service to journalism, and to gender equality and diversity.
Sandra George was awarded an OAM for service to manufacturing and the community.
Brian Henry was awarded an OAM for service to the community through a range of roles.
Dr Marlene Kanga was awarded an AO for distinguished service to engineering, particularly as a global leader and role model to women, to professional organisations, and to business.
Fiona Leatham was awarded a PSM for outstanding public service the City of Newcastle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The late David Leckie was awarded an AM for significant service to broadcast media through executive roles.
Professor Michael Mahony was awarded an AM for significant service to the life sciences, and to tertiary education.
Laurence Marshbaum was awarded an OAM for service to the community through philanthropic initiatives.
Nigel Ryan was awarded an Australian Police Medal (APM).
Helen Sjoquist was awarded an AM for significant service to the performing arts and to youth.
Glendra Stubbs was awarded an OAM for service to the Indigenous community of New South Wales.
Michael Thompson was awarded a PSM for outstanding public service to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
Peter Ward was awarded an APM.
Dr Jeannette Young PSM, the 27th Governor appointed in Queensland, was awarded AC for eminent service to public health administration, medicine and medical research, and the tertiary education sector.

Know of any other Macquarie staff or alumni honoured? Let us know in the comments below or get in touch via thisweek@mq.edu.au