University leaders recognised in Australia Day honours

A philanthropist funding important University of Adelaide research and community programs, a distinguished judge and law educator, and researchers improving Indigenous oral health and kidney medicine are among the University staff, alumni and friends recognised in the 2025 Australia Day honours list.

Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, acknowledged the recipients’ achievements.

“I would like to congratulate all of the members of the University of Adelaide community whose exceptional work and contribution to our society have been recognised today,” he said.

“All of our community, many of whom are leaders in their chosen field, are inspired to make a positive difference by seeking to solve many of the challenges that face us.

“Talented people, such as those receiving awards today, make a positive impact across society.”

More than 25 members of the University’s community received honours this year, including:

Office of the order of Australia (AO):

The Honourable Justice John Basten AO – For distinguished service to the law as a judge, to legal education, to board and commission roles, and as a champion of Indigenous and human rights.

In a distinguished career spanning more than 50 years, Justice Basten has served the law community in Australia through his role as an appellate judge, barrister, academic, public interest lawyer and champion of Indigenous and human rights. He has served on the Supreme Court of New South Wales since 2005 and was an Advisory Committee Member on The Protection of Human Genetic Information in Australia at the Australian Law Reform Commission. Justice Basten received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Adelaide in 2024.

Mrs Pamela Wall AO – For distinguished service to the community through charitable support and philanthropic contributions, and to the community of South Australia.

A generous philanthropist, Mrs Wall trained as a nurse at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital but later left the profession to join the Electronics, Instrument and Lighting Company Ltd, founded by her husband, the late Ian Wall, who was a University of Adelaide alum. Mrs Wall and her husband established several philanthropic initiatives, including the Ian and Pamela Wall Chair in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University in 2022.

Member of the order of Australia (AM):

Ms Joanne Hedges AM – For significant service to Indigenous community, particularly through oral health research and improved outcomes.

Ms Hedges has spent her career improving health outcomes for Indigenous people, through her work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health services and at the Indigenous Oral Health Unit, within the University of Adelaide’s Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, where she is the Director and a senior Aboriginal research officer. A mentor and cultural leader to staff and students throughout the University, Ms Hedges is also a Senior Lecturer at the Adelaide Dental School.

Professor Stephen McDonald AM – For significant service to kidney medicine as an administrator, researcher and clinician.

Professor McDonald, a University of Adelaide alum, has led the way in creating better outcomes for people with kidney disease, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and remote communities. Professor McDonald joined the University of Adelaide as a Clinical Associate Professor in 2008 and is now the Director of the Adelaide EpiCentre (Centre for Clinical Epidemiology), a collaborative project between the University, Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), where he supports clinical research with a focus on using biostatistics, clinical epidemiology and health economics. He has served as the Renal Services Clinical Director of the Country Health SA Local Health Network since 2009 and Co-Chair of the National Indigenous Kidney Transplant Taskforce since 2018.

Associate Professor Patrick O'Connor AM – For significant service to community health, and to conservation and the environment.

A believer in holistic action to tackle biodiversity issues, Associate Professor O’Connor has been deeply involved in nature conservation through his research, work as a consultant, and through his involvement in governmental organisations. Associate Professor O’Connor joined the University of Adelaide as a Visiting Research Fellow in 2001 and was appointed the Director of The Centre for Global Food and Resources in 2015. Joining the Nature Conversation Society of South Australia as a committee member in 1998, he has held the position of President since 2020, also acting as Director for the National Landcare Network, Board Member of Landcare South Australia and Founding Member of Restoration Decade Alliance. His philanthropic interests have also extended to supporting people with cystic fibrosis, as a children’s camp leader for the South Australian arm of the charity and as President of the national body.

Medal of the order of Australia (OAM):

Clinical Associate Professor Robert Parkyn OAM – For service to medicine in the field of breast and endocrine surgery.

Clinical Associate Professor Parkyn is a recognised expert in the field of breast and endocrine surgery, holding positions within several international associations of endocrine surgeons, as well as national roles. Clinical Associate Professor Parkyn has been affiliated with the University’s Discipline of Surgery since 2009 and operates at St Andrew’s Hospital and the Adelaide Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgical Centre. He has served as a member of the Royal Australian Army from 1987 to 2002 and has led outreach programs in Asia and Africa, as well as serving as a surgeon in field hospitals and refugee camps.

The full list of members of the University of Adelaide community in the 2025 Australia Day Honours will be availbale on the University website.