We are proud of our distinguished Alumni community who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and impact by being awarded an RMIT honorary degree or publicly recognised with a King’s Birthday or Australia Day Award.
Honorary degrees
RMIT recognises and honours individuals with extraordinary achievement, who have made a lasting and notable contribution to the community and whose accomplishments align with our purpose and values. They provide inspiration and leadership to our graduates.
We are proud to have the likes of former Prime Minister the Hon Julia Gillard AC, philanthropists and role models Charles (Chuck) and Helga Feeney and celebrity chef Luke Nguyen among our distinguished Alumni community. See the full list of past recipients below.
Kate Torney OAM D Arts
RMIT recognised the business leader and former journalist for her significant contribution to media, arts and culture in Australia. Kate Torney OAM was the ABC’s first female news director and reengineered the organisation to embrace a digital future. She then went on to lead the transformation of State Library Victoria and is now CEO of Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
Jose Manuel Entrecanales D Bus
RMIT recognised the global sustainability leader for his contributions to sustainability and innovation across the clean energy and regenerative infrastructure sectors. Jose Manuel Entrecanales is Chairman and CEO of ACCIONA, a global business headquartered in Spain with a significant Australian business that is focused on sustainable solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation, resilience and the decarbonisation of the economy.
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Know someone worthy of recognition?
If you know someone in the community who is worthy of consideration for an honorary degree, email honorary.degrees@rmit.edu.au and someone will be in touch.
King’s Birthday and Australia Day Award recipients
Congratulations to the following RMIT Alumni who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and achievement with a King’s Birthday or Australia Day Award.
Meet some of our honour recipients
Connie Boglis OAM Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies
Connie’s determination to make a difference led her to advocate for young people in prison and returned defence personnel with mental health issues. Her years of service across youth work and mental health saw her recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2024 Australia Day Awards. Her work has also driven her to pursue a new career path in the world of politics.
Australia Day Awards
- Bernadette Uzelac AM
- Christine Fitzherbert OAM
- Max Lyle OAM
- Lindsay Bent ASM
- Dionne Honeychurch OAM
- Scott Chapman AM
- Angela Altair OAM
- Daniel Oakes OAM
- Major General Jason Walk AM
- Francis Acquah AM
- Barry Curtain ASM
- Kelly Stanton PSM
- Carmen Garcia AM
- Commander Peter Shirley CSM RAN
- Connie Boglis OAM
- Jordan Green AM
- Gregory Johnson AM
- Dr Benjamin Field OAM
- Dr Joan Benjamin OAM
King’s Birthday Awards
- Captain Ben Favelle RAN CSC
- Bassir Qadiri OAM
- Carolyn Ingvarson OAM
- Donna Hope OAM
- Professor Jane Tomnay AM
- Jason Loos PSM
- Sir Jonathan Mills AC
- Emeritus Professor Michael Buxton AM
- Sue Ferguson OAM
- Kay Taranto OAM
- Noel Clement OAM
- Suzanne Ardagh AM
- Chief Petty Officer William Carter OAM
- Elisabeth Jackson OAM
