Deakin congratulates 2021 Australia Day Honours recipients

In particular, Deakin would like to congratulate Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM of the Ngan'gityemerri language group, who was named the 2021 Senior Australian of the Year. She is an Aboriginal elder from Nauiyu and a renowned artist, activist, writer and public speaker.

Dr Ungunmerr Baumann was the Northern Territory's first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher and went on to visit schools throughout the Top End, advocating for art to be taught as part of every child's education. In 1988, she attained a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, and two years later began training as a school principal. In 1993, she graduated from Deakin with a Bachelor of Education, and in that same year was appointed principal of St. Francis Xavier School of Daly River. In 1999 she completed a Master of Education through Deakin, achieving a High Distinction.

Among her many initiatives and achievements, she established the Miriam-Rose Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation working to empower Indigenous youth through education, art, culture and opportunity. She served for several years as President - the first woman in the role - of the Nauiyu Community Government Council, an Aboriginal organisation that operated the leasing arrangements for the Daly River community. For many years, she held the position of Art Consultant with the Professional Services Branch of the Northern Territory Department of Education; she was also on the National Indigenous Council.

Throughout her life, Dr Ungunmerr Baumann has remained dedicated to maintaining the cultural independence of her people. In 1998 she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia Medal for services to Aboriginal education and art, and to the Nauiyu community. She was also awarded an honorary PhD in Education from Charles Darwin University.

Congratulations also to Ms Tanya Hosch who was named South Australia’s 2021 Australian of the Year. Ms Hosch is the first Indigenous person and second woman appointed to the AFL executive and has held leadership roles in sport, the arts, culture, social justice and public policy, and was part of Deakin’s Reconciliation Conversation last year.

Deakin's 2021 Australia Day honour recipients:

SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM

Bachelor of Arts, 1988
Bachelor of Education, 1993
Master of Education, 1999

OFFICER IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)

Major General Roger John Noble AO - For distinguished service in the appointments of Head Military Strategic Commitments, Deputy Chief Joint Operations and Deputy Commanding General United States Army Pacific.

Alumnus: MBA, 2000.
Current student, PhD.

MEMBER IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)

Ms Lisa Michelle Alexander AM - For significant service to netball at the elite level.

Alumnus: Bachelor of Education, 1987.

Mr Michael Raymond Buxton AM - For significant service to the visual arts, and to the property development sector.

Deakin donor.

Mr Argus Alexander Hume AM - For significant service to water catchment management, and to agribusiness.

Alumnus: Bachelor of Education, 1987.

Mr Richard Neil Kelloway AM - For significant service to air force organisations, and to veterans advocacy.

Alumnus: Bachelor of Arts, 1983.

Professor Daniel Ian Lubman AM - For significant service to medical education, research, treatment and policy in the field of addiction.

Member, Advisory Board, Centre of Health Risk Behaviours and Mental Well Being, 2004-2006.

Ms Sarah Louise Matheson AM - For significant service to the law, to intellectual property protection, and to the not-for-profit sector.

Member, Academic Advisory Board, School of Law, 2004-2006.

Rear Admiral Katherine Anne Richards AM - For exceptional performance of duty in Royal Australian Navy command and management positions.

Alumnus: Master of Arts (Strategic Studies), 2015.

Professor Lester Irabinna Rigney AM - For significant service to Indigenous education, and to social inclusion research.

Former staff member.

Ms Pamela Ann Rutledge AM - For significant service to people living with disability or social vulnerability.

Alumnus: Graduate Certificate of Corporate Management, 2002.

Dr Jill Harrison Smith AM - For significant service to the performing arts, and to cultural development.

Chair, Arts and Cultural Management Advisory Board.
Honorary Doctorate, 2019.
Deakin donor.

Major General Murray Ronald Thompson AM - For exceptional performance of duty as Director Force Development - Army, and Commander Defence Strategic Communications.

Alumnus: Master of Arts (International Relations), 1998.
Former staff member.

Dr Ronald James Webber AM - For significant service to the building and construction sector.

Former guest lecturer.

MEDAL IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION (OAM)

Principal Chaplain Collin Gregory Acton OAM - For meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy in the field of Chaplaincy.

Alumnus: Master of Politics and Policy, 2017.

Ms Julie Anne Gillick OAM - For service to education, and to professional associations.

Alumnus: Master of Educational Administration, 1989.

Mr Philip Holmes-Smith OAM - For service to education, particularly to research and evaluation.

Alumnus: Graduate Diploma of Education, 1986.

Mr Norman Houghton OAM - For service to community history.

Former staff member: Senior Archivist, 1990-2006

Ms Azmeena Hussain OAM - For significant service to water catchment management, and to agribusiness.

Alumnus: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, 2010.

Mr Neil Howard Samuel OAM - For service to people living with dementia, and to the community.

Former guest lecturer, 2004-2016.

Mrs Amanda Stephan OAM - For service to nursing, particularly to child and maternal health.

Alumnus: Bachelor of Nursing (Postregistration), 1999.

AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (ACM)

Ms Melissa Sueanne Westin ACM

Alumnus: Bachelor of Commerce, 2007.

AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)

Mr Jeremy Marcus Fewtrell AFSM

Alumnus: Graduate Certificate of Corporate Management, 2003; MBA, 2006.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Robert Mudie CSC - For outstanding devotion to duty as the Commanding Officer 7th Signal Regiment, Staff Officer Grade One Cyber and Career Adviser Signal Corps.

Alumnus: Master of Arts (International Relations), 2016.

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)

Dr Richard Symons Blewett PSM - For outstanding public service through advancing the use of geophysical data to attract investment in Australia's minerals industry.

Alumnus: MBA, 2001.

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Investiture ceremonies:

Appointments to the Order of Australia recognise outstanding achievement and service to Australia or humanity at large. Recipients receive the insignia of their honours at investiture ceremonies at Government Houses in each state and territory later in the year.