La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor's Fellow and leading public intellectual, Emeritus Professor Robert Manne AO, has been awarded an Officer of the Order (AO) in this year's Australia Day Honours list.
Professor Manne was awarded the honour for distinguished service to tertiary education, to political and social commentary, to public affairs and to the Indigenous community.
Formerly a Professor of Politics at La Trobe, Emeritus Professor Manne is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. In 2012 he was shortlisted for the Melbourne Prize for literature, and in 2005 was voted Australia's leading public intellectual in a Sydney Morning Herald survey. He is also Convenor of La Trobe's Ideas and Society Program.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said that few Australians have enriched our nation's political, intellectual and literary life more than Emeritus Professor Manne.
"As well as making an unparalleled contribution to La Trobe University for more than four decades, Robert has made very significant and influential contributions to the broader social and political culture of Australia," Professor Dewar said.
"His devotion to public engagement is unabated and he continues in his work to present a diverse range of expert views and opinions, and to give other scholars and commentators a platform to present their ideas."
"It's wonderful to be celebrating Robert's unique contributions to tertiary education and public life with this prestigious Australia Day Honours award," Professor Dewar said.
Professor Manne said he is deeply grateful to have received the award.
"As the child of refugees from Nazi Germany, I have given my life to three things: Love of family. University teaching where I have tried to show students that for understanding both head and heart are needed. And independent, even at times unpopular, commentary about our nation's and our world's political and moral trajectory," Professor Manne said.
Special congratulations also go to La Trobe Emeritus Professors, Judith Brett and Stephen Duckett, who were both recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Emeritus Professor Judith Brett AM was recognised for significant service to education and public debate, particularly in social science and politics; and Emeritus Professor Stephen Duckett AM was recognised for significant service to public health policy and management, and to tertiary education.
Professor Dewar also acknowledged all the other recipients of this year's Australia Day Honours.
"I congratulate everyone who has received Australia Day Honours today, and especially the alumni, staff and friends of La Trobe who have received these prestigious awards in recognition of their significant national and global contribution," Professor Dewar said.
Image courtesy of Tom Ross
