The Flinders University Alumni Awards acknowledge the significant contributions made by our graduates to the community, the University or within their chosen field, locally, nationally and internationally. The Awards include the Convocation Medal and Distinguished Alumni Awards.
The achievements of nine outstanding Flinders University graduates, across a range of professions, were acknowledged at the 2019 Flinders University Alumni Award ceremony. The event was held in the Mortlock Chambers of the State Library of South Australia on Thursday 27 February.
2019 Alumni Award recipients, front left Elizabeth Perry (Deputy Chancellor), Professor Anne Kavanagh, Dr Olivia Samardzic PSM, Shona Reid, Dr Sukhvinder Badwal, Professor Clare Pollock (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Back left: Alan Tucker, Kim Cheater, Basia Bonkowski, John Eckermann (for his wife Professor Liz Eckermann), Adjunct Associate Professor Jenny Hurley.
The Convocation Medal was established in 1991 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Flinders University and recognise graduates of Flinders University who have made a substantial and outstanding contribution to the local, national and/or international community through one or more of the ways listed under the following selection criteria:
The former Alumni Association introduced Flinders University Distinguished Alumni Awards to coincide with the University’s 40th Anniversary in 2006. The Awards recognise alumni who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the ways listed under the following selection criteria.
Awarded for her outstanding leadership and the advancement of research and knowledge on health inequities particularly the health of people with disabilities.
Awarded for her outstanding contribution to the national and international science, technology, engineering and mathematics community. In particular, her significant service to science and technology in support of the Australian Defence Force.
Awarded for his outstanding international leadership, research and development in the fields of energy technology and engineering.
Awarded for her significant contribution to the creative arts as a television producer and presenter, author and movie reviewer.
Awarded for his significant contribution to the business community of South Australia and commitment to Reconciliation.
Awarded for his significant contribution as an artist, author and teacher committed to sharing stories from Australian history with the younger generation.
Awarded for her outstanding leadership, advocacy and commitment to the ongoing development of nursing and midwifery practices within South Australia.
Awarded for her significant contribution and commitment to the advancement and rights of Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities.
Awarded for her outstanding international leadership in health research to improve the quality of life for underprivileged and marginalised people around the world.
Dr Garry Karner BSc(Hons) ’75, for his leadership and the advancement of fundamental geological research, the advancement of professional practice through development of the Quantitative Basin Analysis software and for being a relentless champion and mentor of young research scientists.
Professor Karen Reynolds GradCertTertEd’98, for her outstanding contributions to the University, South Australia and internationally through the Medical Device Partnering Program and as a leader in the field of biomedical engineering more widely, as well as a champion of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine.
Dr Lam Minh Yen MSC(HS) (Res) '02, for her considerable contribution, leadership and advancement of professional practice in the research and treatment of tropical diseases.
Professor Craig T Simmons FTSE PhD (SE) '97, for his substantial and outstanding contributions to leadership and the advancement of knowledge, professional practice and community service in groundwater science, education, management and policy.
Dr Wenju Cai, PhD EarthSc ’93, Director, Centre for Southern Oceans Research, CSIRO. For leadership and advancement of knowledge in the field of ocean and atmospheric science. (2016)
Junling Liu, BTeach MIntBusAdmin, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of Chinese online retailer, Yihaodian, for outstanding contribution, internationally, in the areas of leadership and the advancement of professional practice in online retailing. (2013)
Professor Stephen Buckman AM, BSc BSc(Hons) PhD, School Director, Atomic and Molecular Physics Laboratory, Australian National University and Research Director, Centre for Antimatter - Matter Studies, for outstanding and sustained leadership and contributions locally, nationally and internationally in the field of Antimatter – Matter interactions. (2012)
Dr Craig Roberts, BSc, BSc (Hons), PhD PhysSc, Senior Scientist and Leader of the Theory Group, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA, for outstanding leadership and contributions internationally in Hadron Physics. (2009)
Professor Terence Tao,BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc Flin, PhD Princeton, Department of Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), for outstanding achievement and contribution internationally to mathematics. (2008)
Dr Michael Fenech, PhD Flin, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Human Nutrition, Adelaide, foroutstanding leadership in, and contribution to, the international field of environmental health science. (2007)
Anne Morris, BNgEd Sturt CAE, MPHC Flin, International humanitarian worker, for outstanding leadership in, and contribution to, humanitarian work in Africa and the Middle East. (2006)
Professor David Nunan, PhD Flin, Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director of the English Centre, the University of Hong Kong; President, and Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Anaheim University, California, for outstanding achievement and contribution internationally to the profession of Teaching of English as a Second Language. (2006)
Mr Neil Mules AO, BA Hons Humanities GradDipEd Flin, Australian Ambassador to Mexico, for excellent contribution to and outstanding achievement in diplomacy on behalf of Australia. (2005)
Ms Bernadette McMenamin AO, BA SocSc Flin, Founder, Child Wise Ltd, for outstanding achievement in child protection and service to the community. (2004)
Professor Philip Bourne, BSc BSc Hons PhD Flin, Department of Pharmacology at the University of California San Diego, Director of Integrative Biosciences at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, for outstanding leadership in the advancement of professional practice in Science. (2004)
Margy Burn, BA Flin DipLibSt Adel, Assistant Director-General, Australian Collections and Reader Services, National Library of Australia, Canberra. (2003)
Dr Peter Mansfield, BMBS Flin, Medical Practitioner, campaigner against inappropriate marketing of pharmaceuticals. (2003)
Ms Noni Hazlehurst AM, BA Flin, actor, television host, children's issues and environmental activist. (2002)
Mario Andreacchio, BA Flin, film producer, director, screenwriter. (2002)
Mem Fox AM, DipT (Drama) Rose Bruford College London BA BEd Flin GradDip (Language Arts)UniSA DLitt (honoris causa)Woll, author and educator. (2001)
John Moriarty AM, BA Flin DUniv UniSA, Chairman, Jumbana Pty Ltd. (2001)
Professor Leanna Read, BSc Hons Adel PhD Flin, CEO, CRC for Tissue Growth and Repair. (2000)
Dr Rodney Watkins, BAppSc MAppSc Melb LOSc VCOP DIC London PhD Flin, CEO Scan Optics Pty Ltd. (2000)
Dr Christopher Baggoley, BSocAdmin BMBS Flin, Director, Emergency Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre and Ashford Hospital. (1999)
Gale Edwards, BA Flin BEd Adel Director's Course NIDA, International Theatre Director. (1999)
Susan Tanner, BA (Hons) Flin, Australian Ambassador to Chile. (1998)
Professor Carl Bridge, BA Syd PhD Flin, Head Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, University of London. (1997)
Associate Professor Timothy Roberts, BSc Adel PhD Flin,Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle. (1996)
Dr Don Russell, BEc Flin MEc ANU PhD LSE, Australian Ambassador to the United States of America. (1995)
Professor Rodney Brooks, BSc (Hons) MSc Flin PhD Stanf, Head Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1994)
Professor Anwar Waqar, MSc Punj PhD Flin, Chairman, Faculty of Biochemistry, Aga Khan University, Pakistan. (1993)
Dr Joseph Smith, BA MA Flin PhD Adel, QE II Fellow in Philosophy. (1992)
Professor Anthony Thomas, PhD Flin DSc Adel FAA, Elder Professor of Physics, The University of Adelaide. (1991)
Associate Professor Anne Johnson AM DipT(NursEd) ’86, PhD(Med) ’99, for her significant contribution to community health, through leadership, advocacy and collaboration in health promotion and child safety projects, particularly Kidsafe SA.
Dr Jenny Baker MPHC ’95, PhD(SS) ‘07, for her significant contribution within the field of public health, and in particular the advancement of Indigenous health both in Australia and internationally, as an advisor, researcher and Board Member.
Professor Brett Bowden BIntSt (Hons) ’01, for his significant academic contribution internationally to the fields of history, politics and international relations.
Dr Richard Harris SC OAM BMBS ’89, for his outstanding service to the international community through his specialist response role during the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand.
Tina Karanastasis BA ’79, DipAppPsych ‘82, for her significant contribution and dedication to the community and, in particular, to those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in South Australia.
Jose Apollo Pacamalan MEnvMgmt ’05, for his significant contribution to the rice farming industry in the Philippines by pioneering a climate-smart agriculture system.
Air Vice-Marshal Dr Tracy Smart AM BMBS ‘87, for her outstanding services to, and leadership within, medicine and the Australian Defence Force.
Dr Duncan Taylor BTech(Forensic&AnalyticalChem) ’01, BSc(Hons) ’02, PhD(Biol) ’07, for his significant contribution to the field of forensic evidence and, in particular, to the development of DNA interpretation software.
Dr Kate Barnett BA '70, DipEd '71, MEd '77, for her significant contribution to the community, the state, and the nation as a social policy researcher in the areas of ageing and multiculturalism.
Jessica Berry GradDipMarArchaeol '08, MMarArchaeol '08, for her significant contribution nationally and internationally to maritime archaeology.
Kirsty Boden BNg (PreReg) '10 (Posthumous award), for the indelible mark she left on those who knew her, in all that she achieved and the way in which she conducted herself throughout her lifetime.
Dr Michael Brennan BSC(Hons) '82, PhD(PsycSc) '86, for his significant contribution to the community, the state, the nation, and internationally in the areas of simulation and defence.
James Currie BA(Hons) '76, for his significant contribution over many years to the Australian and international film industries, specifically in the area of sound production.
Peter Goers OAM BA(Hons) '78, for his significant contribution to the community, the state and the nation in theatre and entertainment, cultural knowledge, broadcasting, information sharing, community engagement, and the promotion of diversity.
Louisa Minney BA '97, for her significant contribution to the community, the nation, and internationally in the area of disaster relief (crisis response).
David Hobbs BSc(Physics) 1995, Bsc(Life Sciences)/BEng(Biomed)(Hons) ’01, for significant contribution to Flinders University, the community, state, nationand internationally in your chosen field; in particular for your work in the area ofrehabilitation engineering.
Geordie Brookman BA(Hons) '02, for significant contribution to the community, the state, the nation and in yourchosen field, through your contribution to Australian theatre.
Debra Jackson PhD(Ng/Midwif) '00, for significant contribution internationally and through your chosen field, inparticular for your leadership in nursing and allied health research.
Anthony Maras LLB/LP '03, for significant contribution to the community, state and nation, in particularthrough your chosen field of film making.
Peter Martin BEc(Hons) '80, for significant contribution to the community, state, nation and internationally,and through your chosen field; in particular for your commentary on economic affairs.
Mary Buckskin (DipNg ’89) (1958-2015), for significant contributions to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people both through her leadership of the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia and the Council of Australian Governments national reforms in Aboriginal health.
Matt Johnson (BEc 2000) for significant contributions to South Australia both in Adelaide and internationally, and to Flinders University through his work on the Matthew Flinders Memorial Statue Steering Committee.
Kun Hua Wang (MHA 2007) for significant contributions to surgery and surgical research in the People’s Republic of China, and particularly in Yunnan Province.
Yingjun Lei (MAIRET 2014) for significant contributions over 20 years to legal affairs in Tianjin through his service in the Legislative Affairs Office of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.
Professor Debra Anderson (MNg 1993) for significant contribution and exceptional leadership to the profession and discipline of nursing, and to the community.
Qilong Miao (MHA 2011) for significant contributions to the enhancement of hospital performance and disease prevention and control in Ningbo.
Zongyong Yu (MAIRET 2013) for significant contributions to education in Tianjin as a teacher, administrator and principal.
Dr Yi Mou Zhang (MHA 2005) for significant contributions to the advancement of management education for health professionals in China.
Renhai Gong (MAIRET 2002) for significant contributions to China’s international economic and trade relations.
Rong Ni (MHA 2008) for significant contribution to improving the health of the residents of the Gongshu District in Hangzhou City.
Jingrong Xu (MAIRET 2002) for significant contribution to the provision of financial and banking services in Tianjin, China.
Dr Michael Raupach (PhD EarthSc 1978) for significant contributions to the understanding of the atmospheric environment.
Dr Shao Yaping (PhD EarthSc 1991) for significant contributions to atmospheric science, and modelling of wind erosion, the environment, soil moisture and dry land salinity processes.
Dr Mark Shephard OAM (MSc Med Cwk 1982) for significant contributions to the improvement of Aboriginal health in Australia and for services to the University.
Dr Julie Owen (MPHC 1996) for significant contribution to Aboriginal Health promotion and education in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Dr Daniel Phillips (BSc 1990 BSc Hons 1991 PhD 1995) for significant contribution internationally to the application of Effective Field Theory to Few Body Problems in Nuclear, Atomic and Molecular Physics.
Professor Dennis Taylor (BSc 1988 BSc Hons 1989 PhD 1993) for significant contribution to the advancement of South Australia through your teaching and research, as well as to the advancement of knowledge in wine chemistry.
Dr Bruce Graham (BA Hons 1981) for significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in computational neuroscience.
Gosia Hill (BA 1983 BSocAdmin 1987) for significant contributions to Flinders University as a Council Member and Alumni Executive Committee Member, and to South Australia, and Australia as Senior Trade Commissioner Central South east Europe.
Dr Tony Lian-Lloyd (BMBS 1988) for significant contributions to South Australia as a rural doctor and medical education, and to community health education.
Professor Catherine Turner (MNg(Cwk) 1992) for significant contributions to Nursing education and population health.
Professor Andrew Cheetham (BSc 1971 BSc Hons 1972 PhD 1977) for significant contributions in plasma and fusion physics, computer controlled instrumentation, the use of IT in science and engineering education and to leadership in research and ICT.
Professor Mohammad Kaykobad (PhD 1988) for significant contributions to Computational Mathematics, and to Computer Science and Engineering Education in Bangladesh.
Dr Donald Hopgood AO (PhD 1975 BTh 1997) for significant contributions to the people of South Australia through his service in the Parliament and the church.
Professor Simon Davis (BSc 1982 BSc Hons 1983 PhD 1987) for significant contributions internationally in medical research and particularly in the field of T-cell biology.
John Schumann (BA DipEd 1976) for significant contributions to the people of Australia in music, politics and social justice.
Associate Professor Cheryl Stock (BA Hons 1970) for significant achievement in Australia and internationally in dance, and dance education.
John Hood (BEc 1984 GradDipAcc 1985) for significant contributions to the University, and to business in South Australia.
Professor Alan Johnson AM (PhD 1984 MEdMgt 1992) for significant contributions in education and research in Australia, and the field of parasitology internationally.
Graham Inns (MCom 1994) for significant contribution to South Australia through his service in the public sector, to the University, management, and to charities.
Felicity-ann Lewis (DipT 1977 BEd(PhysEd) 1981 GradDipS&C 1986 MEd 2002) for significant contributions to local government in South Australia, and to the University.
Sr Bernice Bugler OAM (BSpecEd 1983) for significant contributions to the community and education in New South Wales.
Dr John How (BSc 1971 BSc Hons 1972 PhD 1977) for significant international contributions in the field of plasma fusion energy research.
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