University community in Queen's Birthday Honours

Tuesday, 13 June 2017

Staff and members of the wider University of Adelaide community have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.

The highest honour, Companion in the General Division (AC), was awarded to University of Adelaide wine science graduate Mr Peter Gago, South Australia’s Great Wine Capitals Global Ambassador and celebrated chief winemaker at Penfolds.

Mr Gago was recognised for his eminent service to the Australian wine industry as an internationally acclaimed winemaker, to the global promotion of excellence in oenology, marketing and research, as a mentor, and to the community of South Australia.

Emeritus Professor Geoff Fincher (School of Agriculture, Food and Wine) has been named Officer in the General Division (AO).

Professor Fincher was recognised for distinguished service to science, and to education, in the area of plant genomics, as an academic, researcher and administrator, through scientific advisory roles, and to international professional societies.

Honorary titleholders Mrs Sheila Mary Kavanagh (Clinical Associate Lecturer in Adelaide Nursing School) and Professor Angel Lopez (Clinical Professor in Adelaide Medical School) were also awarded an AO.

Mrs Kavanagh was recognised for distinguished service to nursing, particularly in the field of burns treatment, as a clinician, researcher and educator; and Professor Lopez for distinguished service to medical and scientific research in the areas of immunology and cell biology, and through innovative developments in cancer treatment, particularly acute myeloid leukaemia.

The award of Member in the General Division (AM) went to Emeritus Professor Bob Vincent (Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences), Associate Professor Alaric Maude (Visiting Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences) and Dr Anthony Lake (Clinical Lecturer in Adelaide Dental School).

Professor Vincent received his award for significant service to science, and to education, particularly in the field of solar-terrestrial physics, as an academic and researcher.

Associate Professor Maude was recognised for significant service to education in the field of geography as an academic, researcher, author, and mentor; and Dr Lake for significant service to legal dentistry, particularly to forensic odontology, to disaster victim identification, and to professional dental standards.

Ms Margie Steffens (Director Community Outreach Dental Program, Adelaide Dental School) received a Medal in the General Division (OAM) for her service to community health through outreach dental programs.

Also a Senior Dental Hygienist, Ms Steffens founded and manages the Common Ground Dental Project which provides dental services for homeless people. She also provides dental health advice and care at Teenchallenge, Streetlink and St Johns Ladder programs.

The University of Adelaide congratulates all these recipients as well as dozens of alumni and friends of the University acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

A full list of alumni recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2017 can be seen here.

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