In summary

  • Our Swinburne community has been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours list
  • Services to the building and construction industry, community and orthopaedic services, as well as tertiary education are some of the areas our Swinburne community members have made an impact
  • The Australia Day Honours list recognised 680 inspirational Australians

Members of our Swinburne community are among 680 inspirational Australians who have been recognised for their service and achievements in the 2026 Australia Day Honours list.

Services to building and construction, community services and tertiary education are some of the areas where our Swinburne community have made an impact worthy of the honours list.

Members of our Swinburne community recognised this year are:

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Professor Pascale Quester, Vice-Chancellor and President: for distinguished service to tertiary education, to academic administration and leadership, to commerce, and as an author.

Distinguished Professor Saeid Nahavandi, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Chief of Defence Innovation: For distinguished service to tertiary education, to engineering, to robotics and haptics research and innovation, and to defence capability development.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

The Late Mr Norman Faifer, Swinburne alum: For significant service to the building and construction industry, and to the community.

Emeritus Professor Nicolette Lee, Swinburne alum: For significant service to tertiary education, and to curricula policy and practice development.

Professor John O'Donnell: For significant service to orthopaedics as a clinician and mentor.

Emeritus Professor Marcus Wigan, Former Swinburne student: For significant service to engineering, to road safety, and to tertiary education.

Mr Graeme Base. Swinburne alum: for significant service to children's literature as an author and illustrator.

Ms Kathleen (Maggie) Toko, Swinburne alum: for significant service to mental health governance and awareness.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Emeritus Professor Chesney (Romesh) Nagarajah, Swinburne alum: for service to tertiary education.

Mr Paul Birch, Swinburne alum: for service to the community through a range of roles.

Mr Daniel Lustig, Swinburne alum: for service to the community through a range of roles.

Mr Charles Reis, Swinburne alum: for service to the community in a range of roles and organisations.

Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)

Mr Danny Elbaum, Swinburn alum: for service as a member of an Australian ambulance service.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

Commander Stefanie Curic, Swinburne alum: for outstanding devotion to duty in the management of Navy Engineering training

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