Queen’s Birthday Honours recognise achievements of staff and alumni

Members of the University of Adelaide community have today been awarded Queen’s Birthday honours, recognising outstanding contributions to their fields of expertise.

University of Adelaide alumni, staff and affiliates have been honoured in this, the year of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

“People named in Australia’s honours today continue to make history as leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour, such as medicine, photonics research, health care, agriculture and the arts."Professor Peter Høj AC

Among the recipients are the Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro who led research in the area of photonics while she was a senior member of staff at the University and Ms Velta Vingelis who has been recognised for teaching excellence in the School of Biological Sciences.

“I congratulate all those people from the University of Adelaide community – alumni, staff, former staff, affiliates and friends – who have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide.

“People named in Australia’s honours today continue to make history as leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour, such as medicine, photonics research, health care, agriculture and the arts.

“Their outstanding achievements to have an impact on the lives of Australians and people around the world by tackling some of society’s greatest challenges.

“They are an inspiration for us all and show how dedication, hard work and striving for excellence can benefit our society.”

Notable Queen’s Birthday Honours recipients from the University’s community include:

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

Professor Tanya Monro – For eminent service to scientific and technological development, to research and innovation, to tertiary education, particularly in the field of photonics, and to professional organisations.

Professor Monro, Australia's Chief Defence Scientist since 2019, was the inaugural director of the University of Adelaide’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) from 2009 to 2014. She was the first female Professor of Physics at the University holding the position from 2005 to 2014. While she was a member of staff Professor Monro held a number of senior positions including Director, Centre of Expertise in Photonics, School of Chemistry and Physics, and the Inaugural Chair of Photonics. She continues to hold a position at the University as an Adjunct Professor.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Ms Velta Vingelis – For service to tertiary education.
Ms Vingelis is Associate Lecturer, Genetics and Evolution in the University’s School of Biological Sciences. She’s the Co-Coordinator, Year1 FBS Pre-Clinical Course, in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Program. She has been awarded for excellence in teaching with the University’s Inaugural Student-led Teaching Award in 2016, a Stephen Cole The Elder Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 1995 and an Excellence in Tutoring Award, Biology from the Adelaide University Sciences Association in 2014.

More than twenty University of Adelaide alumni and former members of staff and members of the University community were also honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The full list of all University of Adelaide Queen’s Birthday Honours recipients is available on the University’s honours website.

Any Australian may make nominations for an award in the Order of Australia. More information is available at www.gg.gov.au.