Georgie Burgess
27 January 2026: From services ranging across science, children’s literature to performing arts and many more – the University of ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ is proud to celebrate 17 members of its community who have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours list.
University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten has extended his congratulations to the outstanding University alumni and community members for their dedication, commitment and service to bettering Australian society.
“These awards recognise the impact of vision, hard work and sacrifice, and I am thrilled to once again see a robust representation of our University community in this year’s Honours list. Here at UC, we are proud to bring together both students and staff from all walks of life, and that vast range of expertise and talent is clear to see in those recognised for their success and service to their passions, research and work.
“On behalf of the University, I extend congratulations to all those honoured and thank you for your contributions towards building a better world for us all.”
The University community members who received awards this year are:
Order of Australia – General Division
Professor Peter John Cook CBE AC was recognised for his eminent service to science as an innovator, pioneer and international expert in the development of carbon capture and storage, to policy development, and to climate change mitigation.
A Distinguished Scientist since 2011, Professor Cook was a member of the Antarctic Geological Mapping Team as part of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions in 1964-65 before graduating from the University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Design in 1981 and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 1982.
Adjunct Professor Noor Blumer AM has had her significant service to the law, to the legal profession, and to the community recognised. Ms Blumer has been an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Faculty of Business, Government and Law at the University since 2021, having had a long-standing career in law including as a Founding Partner, and current Director of Blumers Lawyers.
Former Adjunct Professor Emeritus Professor Colin Burton AM has had his significant service to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science research, education and practice recognised. Professor Burton was an Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Health between 2010 and 2013. He was the director of the Australian Pharmacy Research Centre for 15 years (1991-2006) and is today the Chairman for the Project Steering Committee on Integrating Pharmacists within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to improve chronic disease management .
Service to the performing arts through administrative roles has earned Ms Beverley Anne Clarke OAM her Medal of the Order of Australia. A Board Member (2011-2021) and Chair (2015-2021) of the ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ International Music Festival, Ms Clarke continues to volunteer with the organisation today. She was an alumna with the class of 1997, graduating with a Bachelor of Education.
Mr Paul Marcus Crake OAM has been recognised for his service to people with disability. Mr Crake was part of the class of 2000, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Finance. Since then, Mr Crake has competed as a professional athlete in running, stair climbing and cycling – including becoming the world record holder for the Empire State Building Run-up in 2003. He also founded and is Director of Total Ability and was ATSA Industry Person of the Year in 2024.
Dr Stephen Leslie Davis OAM, who graduated with both a Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Education in 1977, has been recognised for his service to international relations and to the Indigenous community of the Northern Territory. A negotiator for both the Boko Haram hostages in 2014 and the ceasefire in Niger Delta in 2004, Dr Davis has dutifully served Australia, particularly Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory, as well as the Nigerian government.
He was also the Co-Director for the International Centre for Reconciliation based in the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2007.
Mr Craig Charles Delaney OAM has been recognised for his service to public administration and to veterans. Since 2018, Major Delaney has been the Manager for the New South Wales Government Veterans Employment Program. Previously, he has served as the National Logistics System Project Manager for the Department of Defence (2015-2017), Logistic Executive to the United Mission, United Nations (2011) and Director for Emergency and Training Area Management New South Wales (2013-15).
Major Delaney is a university alumna, having graduated with a Master of Management in Defence Studies in 2002.
Former University staff member Dr Nancy Diane Lane OAM has had her service to tertiary education recognised. Dr Lane was the Acting Deputy Dean, Faculty of Communication (1990-91), Associate Professor and Head of the Centre for Library and Information Studies (1982-90) and former President for the Staff Association for the University (known then as ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ College of Advanced Education).
Bachelor of Applied Science in General Science alumna (1995) Ms Jennifer Reay Tyrrell OAM has been recognised for her service to the community through a range of roles.
Ms Tyrrell has been involved in a wide range of community groups, including the Friends of Hughes Grassy Woodland, Gang Gang Community Science Research Project, Lake Burley Griffin Sea Scouts, the Immune Deficiency Foundation of Australia, among others.
Mr Brett James Odgers OAM, a former University staff member, has been recognised for his service to history preservation, planning, and the ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥ Community. An inaugural member of the Walter Burley Griffin Society since 2004 Mr Odgers has held numerous roles for the society, including Chair (2006-19), Speaker, Volunteer and Committee Member.
From a Graduate Diploma in Librarianship (1980), to a Master of Education (1983) and a Doctor of Philosophy (2004) University alumna Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder OAM has been recognised for services to children's literature. An author, illustrator and editor since the 1980s Dr Reeder has published more than 30 multi-award-winning stories.
A former lecturer, librarian, teacher and tutor Dr Reeder now gives back through several mentorship programs including with the Children’s Book Council of Australia (ACT branch).
Meritorious Awards
Mr Peter Milton Cottrell PSM was recognised for outstanding public service to Australia’s critical IT infrastructure. Mr Cottrell plays a pivotal role in leading the operation and support of the mainframe platform within Services Australia. The platform is highly complex technology and the backbone of critical Australian Government services, which sustains the national services of Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. He has significantlystrengthened the security of the platform by encrypting all mainframe data, including sensitive customer and medical information, positioning the agency to better mitigate future cyber threats.
Mr Cottrell graduated from the University in 2003 with a Master of Information Technology.
Mr Paul David Ryan PSM has been recognised for his outstanding public service in advancing climate-smart land management in Australia. He played a central role in developing methods for the Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) scheme. The scheme encourages emissions reduction and carbon sequestration through sustainable land-use practices, empowering landholders across the country to contribute to Australia’s emissions goals delivering economic and environmental benefits.
He graduated from the University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Ecology & Natural Resources.
Ms Jody Salmon PSM has been recognised for her outstanding public service in the delivery of reform agendas to benefit Australians with disability. One of the many significant reforms Ms Salmon has delivered is the successful transition of the Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program, which provides funding for organisations to deliver community projects that support Australians with disability and their carers and families.
Ms Salmon is from the graduating class of 1974, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Office Management.
Mr James White PSM has been recognised for his outstanding public service in climate change and energy policy. Mr White led teams to deliver a number of programs aimed at funding renewable energy technologies, including Community Batteries for Household Solar, Community Solar Banks, and several microgrid programs, cementing his reputation as an influential leader in the climate and energy policy space.
He also led the provision of advice to the Australian Government on the operation of the Renewable Energy Target and played a key role in increasing renewable electricity generation and putting Australia on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computing Studies in 1974.
Mr Derek Anthony Kettle PSM has had his outstanding public service in legal leadership and constitutional advice recognised. For nearly three decades, Mr Kettle has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, guiding the Australian Capital Territory through complex and high-profile legal challenges in the Magistrates, Supreme, Federal, and High Courts.
His leadership ensured trusted and reliable responses during the territory’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 and 2024 ACT elections.
Mr Kettle graduated in 1990 with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies.
Military Division Awards
Australian Army Colonel Mark Andrew Coyle AM has been recognised for his exceptional service as the Commander Australian Contingent on Operation ASLAN in 2020 and Operation OKRA in 2024.
He has been awarded this honour for demonstratrating calm and exemplary leadership, including ensuring the morale, welfare and success of his troops in South Sudan. He was also recognised for his exemplary planning and leadership during operations in Iraq and Syria, which ensured Coalition Forces successfully executed an operational pivot and navigated complex strategic Middle Eastern tensions, while significantly furthering the defeat of Daesh. His actions personally advanced Australia’s interests and reputation.
Mr Coyle is a University alumna, graduating in 2005 with a Master of Management in Defence Studies.