Australia day honours

Associate Professor Ossie Petrucco received an AM for significant service to medicine and education in the field of obstetrics, human reproduction and child health.

Professor Petrucco has led the way in reproductive health in South Australia, becoming well known for his work in microsurgery and pioneering new surgical techniques.

A dedicated teacher, Professor Petrucco taught microsurgery, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery across Australia and continues to conduct conferences and workshops, since retiring from the University of Adelaide in 2006. He is also currently affiliated with the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute.

Dr Ron Sinclair received an OAM for service to environmental biosecurity management, and to people with Alzheimer’s.

As an Affiliate and Research Fellow from the University’s Invasion and Ecology Group, Dr Sinclair has spent over four decades studying the management of invasive species.

He is also recognised for his advocacy work, calling for better research funding into Alzheimer’s disease and support for families, particularly in regional areas.

Associate Professor Julian White received an AM for significant service to the field of medicine, particularly in the field of toxicology.

As head of the Women’s and Children’s Toxicology Department, his clinical research and leadership has led to a greater understanding of snakebites worldwide.

He is also a team member in a University of Adelaide coordinated project, looking to reduce the amount of snakebites in Myanmar, where thousands of people are estimated to die from bites each year.

Adjunct Associate Professor John Keeler received an AM for significant service to tertiary legal education in South Australia as a senior academic and author, and as a mentor of law students.

Joining the University of Adelaide in 1964, Dr Keeler was quick to distinguish himself as a leading scholar and outstanding teacher.

He served on the South Australian Law Reform committee for ten years, represented the University’s Law School on the Law Society Council on numerous occasions and played a significant role in the governance of the wider University.

The University of Adelaide community congratulates Associate Professor Petrucco, Dr Sinclair, Associate Professor White and Adjunct Associate Professor Keeler on their latest achievements, as well as dozens of alumni and friends of the University acknowledged in the Australia Day honours.