Awards to top alumni

Alumni

A varied field of five extraordinary alumni, including a human rights lawyer and a wine scientist, have been honoured with a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide.

Awarded annually, the Distinguished Alumni Awards recognise alumni who have enhanced the reputation of the University and have given outstanding service to the community or made a significant contribution in their chosen fields.

The Hon. Catherine Branson QC (BA 1977, LLB 1970)
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australian Law and Human Rights.

Catherine Branson's career has enhanced the reputation of the Law School and the University. In her various judicial and executive roles, including President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Commissioner since 2009, she has demonstrated outstanding service to the community and made a significant contribution to the rule of law.

Mr Barry Grear AO (B Tech 1967)
In recognition of his leadership to the Australian and World Engineering Profession and his significant contribution to emergency services organisations in South Australia and nationally.

Barry's work as Chairman of the State Emergency Relief Fund represented an enormous contribution to the wellbeing of South Australia. He is a leader of the engineering profession, having represented millions of engineers worldwide through his presidency of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO). Serving in a variety of managerial roles and leading recovery efforts after natural disasters, Barry has been described as the ultimate engineer, one who is truly inspirational to others and who has had a huge influence on the profession both nationally and internationally.

Dr Arthur Ray Beckwith (D Univ 2004 (Adel), RDA 1932)
In recognition of his highly significant contribution to the field of Oenology and to the wine industry in Australia and internationally.

Ray has had a long and distinguished career in Oenology. His research, in collaboration with Alan Hickinbotham, has had significant implications for oenology, changing winemaking practices across the world in response to their findings in the areas of wine microbiology, wine pH management and related wine stability issues.

Emeritus Professor Colin Matthews (MD (Adel) (ad eundem gradum) 1970)
In recognition of his leadership and outstanding contribution nationally and internationally in the field of Reproductive Medicine.

Colin has changed many lives and families in South Australia and has had an international influence. Through his generosity and foresight the University has reaped benefits which catalysed the spectacular growth in the area of Reproductive Medicine. Through his commitment to education and development many young people have completed PhDs and many doctors have completed Fellowships in Reproductive Medicine.

Mr Siong Guan Lim (B E (Mech) (Hons) 1969)
In recognition of his outstanding visionary leadership and extensive contributions to Singapore and its Civil Service.

Siong Guan is a highly respected member of the Singapore community having served with distinction in the highest echelons of the Civil Service and chaired major Statutory Boards of the government. He currently holds the position of Group Managing Director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. Siong Guan's life has been one of continuous service to the people of Singapore based upon the learned skills he attributes to the University of Adelaide, that of being a hard-working individual whose potential went beyond the attainment of a degree in one field.

Story by Connie Dutton