Swinburne community members recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List

Members of the Swinburne community have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours list for their service and achievements.

Indigenous advocacy, sleep medicine and research, medical technology and the financial sector are some of the areas where our Swinburne community have made an impact worthy of the honours list.

Indigenous leader recognised for contribution to reconciliation 

Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice advisory board member Karen Milward has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to Indigenous advocacy and reconciliation.

As a member of Swinburne’s advisory board, Karen provides valuable guidance, knowledge and experience to support Swinburne’s reconciliation efforts. 

Karen is a proud Victorian Yorta Yorta woman who has extensive experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at grass roots, organisational, and peak body representative levels.  

Honorary Doctor’s contribution to sleep medicine and research celebrated

Former Adjunct Professor and Honorary Doctor of Health Science, the late Dr Murray Johns, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to sleep medicine and research.

Dr Johns was an Adjunct Professor at Swinburne between 1998 and 2016 where he collaborated on several projects, including a National Health and Medical Research Council-funded investigation into the possible influence of mobile phone radiation on electrophysiological parameters and sleep.  

In 2018, Swinburne awarded Dr Johns an Honorary Doctorate in Health Science degree for his pioneering contribution to research into sleep disorders, which includes developing several clinical measures of sleepiness and establishing the first private practice of sleep medicine in Australia at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital.

Dr Johns was also a generous donor toward Swinburne for many years.  

Recognition for Swinburne community 

Other Swinburne community members recognised this year are: 

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

James Demetriou, former industry fellow: for significant service to sport, to education, and to business.

Luisa Guthrie, former advisory board member (Swinburne Manufacturing Futures Research Institute): for significant service to the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Wendy Thorpe, Swinburne alum and former Council member: for service to the financial sector.

Public Service Medal (PSM)

Marlene Morison, Swinburne alum: for outstanding public service in improving outcomes for people in custody and offenders in the community.

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)

Sharon Kennelly-Merritt, Swinburne alum: for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.

Anthony Scicluna, Swinburne alum: for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.