RMIT alumnus and Founding Principal of Carr, Sue Carr has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division).
RMIT alumnus and Founding Principal of Carr, Sue Carr has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to interior design, education and women in business in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Sue Carr has championed the importance and influence of design in Australia since opening her first interior design studio in Melbourne in 1971.
Sue’s work as a practitioner and educator has been instrumental in redefining interior design as a core discipline and vital component to architecture. For five decades, Sue has been steadfast in her belief that design can make a positive difference to people’s lives.
An alumnus of RMIT University, Sue has been a life-long supporter of design education through advising on cutting-edge curriculum, offering graduate employment opportunities and establishing her own scholarship program.
Sue understands the life changing effect a scholarship can have on a student, as she received the Storey Scholarship during her time as a student at RMIT. The Storey Scholarship is RMIT’s longest-running scholarship program, allowing more than 650 students to study abroad, exposing them to new ideas, cultures and opportunities.
Sue says the Storey Scholarship allowed her to experience design overseas for the first time, sending her to Milan and cementing her love of the craft while giving her a creative edge when she started her own business.
Her commitment to supporting the future generation of design is apparent in her establishment of the Sue Carr Award at RMIT, a $5000 scholarship for third year interior design and architecture students.
“Sue’s approach to establishing initiatives that transform aspiring young graduates into outstanding interior designers is visionary,” shares Dr Suzie Attiwill, Associate Dean of Interior Design at RMIT.
“Her commitment to education and the future of the profession is unparalleled”.
Sue has never allowed her gender to predetermine her career or success in a traditionally male dominated industry. Her talent and determination, coupled with a firm resolve has inspired a generation of women.
In 2016, Sue was named one of Australia’s most influential women in the AFR Westpac ‘100 Women of Influence’ awards. Her significant contribution to the design profession has also been recognised by several accolades within the industry, including the Design Institute of Australia’s Hall of Fame and a Gold Medal for Interior Design at the Interior Design Excellence Awards.
On receiving news of her appointment Sue reveals “I am humbled to have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. It has been a rich and rewarding journey, and one I continue to share with so many remarkable and talented people.’’
Sue’s Order of Australia coincides with her 50th anniversary in the industry, a truly remarkable accomplishment.
The Queen's Birthday Honours recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement in the community. Sue is celebrated amongst a number of RMIT alumni and staff recognised for delivering impact through their service to education, the arts, science, health, and more.
Story: Rekha Ryan
