From acclaimed artists and engineers to pioneering geoscientists, the honours list gives recognition to a diverse range of contributions and services across a number of industries.
RMIT alumnus and contemporary artist Dr Christian Thompson was made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He was recognised for his outstanding and distinguished service to the visual arts and as a role model for young Indigenous artists.
Dr Christian Thompson AO is an alumnus of the Master of Fine Art and Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Honours) at RMIT University and has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally, his work focuses on the exploration of identity, sexuality, gender, race and memory.
In 2010 Thompson made history by being part of the first Aboriginal Australian cohort to be admitted into the University of Oxford in its 900-year history.
Artist and engineer Dr Natalie Jeremijenko, an RMIT alumnus, was made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her service to the arts, and to higher education, as an academic, through pioneering contributions to architecture, technology, the sciences, and engineering, and to rural and urban design.
Alumnus Maxwell Beck was made an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through philanthropic fundraising support for medical, sporting, social welfare and cultural organisations, and to urban revitalisation.
A total of 21 members of the RMIT community received Queen’s Birthday honours:
Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Dr Christian Thompson AO: For outstanding service to the visual arts as a sculptor, photographer, video and performance artist, and as a role model for young Indigenous artists.
Dr Natalie H M Jeremijenko AO: For outstanding service to the arts, and to higher education, as an academic, through pioneering contributions to architecture, technology, the sciences, and engineering, and to rural and urban design.
Ms Linda Jackson AO: For outstanding and distinguished service to the community through philanthropic contributions to education, cultural, social welfare, and child cancer support organisations and to business.
Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Mr Maxwell J Beck AM: For significant service to the community through philanthropic fundraising support for medical, sporting, social welfare and cultural organisations, and to urban revitalisation.
Ms Jackie Fristacky AM: For significant service to local government, and to the community of Melbourne.
Mr Colin Golvan AM QC: For significant service to the law, to legal education, particularly support for Indigenous students, and to the arts through governance and philanthropy.
Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
Professor Anthony C Bailey OAM: For service to the community through hospital support.
Mr Neville Barwick OAM: For service to the community, and to Australia-Timor Leste relations.
Mr Philip Bock OAM: For service to geology, marine biology, and to the community.
Ms Frances M Bonnici OAM: For service to the Maltese Community, and to education.
Ms Phyllis Dorey OAM: For service to the Jewish community.
Mr Robert G Sharples OAM: For service to community health as a psychologist and your work at The Melbourne Therapy Centre.
Mr Lee R Tarlamis OAM: For service to the people and Parliament of Victoria.
Mr Ian Mence OAM: For service to the community of Brighton and commitment as a member of the Brighton Liberal Party of Australia.
Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the Military Division
Ms Katrina Liston OAM: For service in instruction, case officer support, and training medical supervision as a Divisional Senior Non-Commissioned Officer at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Meritorious – PSM, APM, AFSM, ASM, ESM & ACM
Ms Julia E Griffith PSM: For public service to youth justice and correctional services in Victoria.
Mr Kenneth G Gainger PSM: For public service to local government in New South Wales.
Military – Gallantry, Distinguished & Conspicuous
Warrant Officer Scott J Wake CSM: For service for meritorious devotion to duty in the field of Naval Aviation Maintenance.
Wing Commander Raymond Simpson OAM CSM: For service for meritorious achievement in air warfare development as the inaugural Commanding Officer of Number 88 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.
Air Vice-Marshall Timothy C Innes DSC CSC: For outstanding achievement as Officer Commanding Number 84 Wing and Commander of Combat Support Group.
Brigadier Jason K Walk: For distinguished performance of duty while serving as the Deputy Director Sustainment, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan from July 2016 to August 2017.
Story: Brittany Anderson
