UQ alum and Adjunct Professor, The Honourable Annastacia Palaszcuk, has been recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours.
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland. )
Key points
- 680 Australians have received awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia for 2026.
- UQ alum and Adjunct Professor Annastacia Palaszczuk is among 10 Australians who have received the highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
University of Queensland staff and alum have been recognised and celebrated on the 2026 Australia Day Honours List.
Distinguished UQ alum and Adjunct Professor, The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk , is one of just 10 Australians honoured with the nation's highest civil award, appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Ms Palaszczuk has been recognised for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Queensland particularly as Premier, to educational equity, multiculturalism and public health.
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"During my term as Premier, Queensland went through cyclones, bushfires, floods and of course the pandemic and Queenslanders have always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially in our recovery efforts.
"During my term we empowered women and valued our multicultural communities helping to create a society where we respect one another.
"I have always believed in the power of education and that every child should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
"I am looking forward to being a member of The University of Queensland Senate this year and of course continuing my Adjunct Professor role."
Ms Palaszczuk was appointed an Adjunct Professor in the School of Political Science and International Studies in 2025 and elected as a member of the 36th UQ Senate.
She had previously served on the Senate, as a student representative in the 1990s while completing her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at UQ.
Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings from the School of the Environment and a UQ alum has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to environmental conservation, to the development of protected area management effectiveness evaluations and to tertiary education.
Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings AO
(Photo credit: Sue Stolton)
"I am deeply honoured by this award and very aware that it represents the efforts and achievements of many colleagues around the world in highlighting issues of effectiveness in national parks and conservation areas," Emeritus Professor Hockings said.
"Over the last 30 years, we have been able to draw attention to the need to ensure quality in our management of nature conservation and provided the tools to evaluate and improve this work.
"The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas that I pioneered is now expanding globally - a cause for optimism in what is often a bleak world for nature and I look forward to continuing to support this initiative.
"But I am most proud to see what many former students from UQ are now contributing to conservation, both in Australia and around the world.
"It is so rewarding to see the leaders of today and tomorrow emerge and admire the passion and commitment that they exhibit in their work. It gives me hope for the future."
UQ Deputy Chancellor Ms Tonianne Dwyer has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to business and commerce, and to tertiary education.
Tonianne Dwyer AM
(Photo credit: The University of Queensland)
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition," Ms Dwyer said.
"In my work with corporate and charitable organisations I have sought to bring my broad commercial and governance experience to help them strive harder, reach higher and be good corporate citizens.
"I have a particular passion for the university sector and it is a privilege and an honour to have a role in a sector that is so critical to our future as a society.
"My other passion is supporting women in their careers and gender equity more broadly.
"Throughout my career I have sought to make a difference, contribute to the public good and leave the world a better place and I see this award as recognition that I might have done so - in a small way at least!"
Members of the UQ community recognised in 2026:
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to educational equity, to multiculturalism, and to public health.
Officer of the Order of Australia AO
Emeritus Professor Marc Hockings has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to environmental conservation, to the development of protected area management effectiveness evaluations, and to tertiary education.
Associate Professor Anthony Lynham has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to trauma medicine as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, to the Parliament of Queensland, and to the community.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Dr John Allan has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, and to women and maternal health.
The late Mr Robert Bain has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, and to the legal profession.
Professor Mark Cassidy has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to geotechnical science, to engineering, and to academia.
Professor Shaun Collin has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary education, to ecology, and to agricultural research.
Mr Bruce Cowley has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business, to the law, and to tertiary education.
Emeritus Professor Roderick Drew has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to horticulture research, and to agricultural development.
Ms Tonianne Dwyer has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business and commerce, and to tertiary education.
Adjunct Professor David Gole has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to architecture, and to heritage conservation.
Dr Warren Henry has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to veterinary science, and to global humanitarian programs.
The Honourable Justice John Logan RFD SC has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the judiciary and to the law.
The late Dr Nicholas Medland has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to sexual health medicine as a physician, clinical epidemiologist and general practitioner.
Mr Nicolas Merciades has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to aged welfare.
Professor Robert Newton has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to exercise medicine, to cancer research, and to the community.
Professor John Rolfe has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to regional economic development as an economist and author.
Mr Richard Stringer has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to architectural photography, to education, and to history.
Mr Paul Taylor has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the arts and education through governance and philanthropic roles.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Mrs Patricia Barry has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to life saving, and to the community of the Sunshine Coast.
Mr John Forrest RFD has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to cricket.
Mr Bruce Green has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government, and to the community of Port Lincoln.
Dr Bronwyn Herbert has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to youth social welfare.
Dr Geoff Knight has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to paediatric medicine.
Mr Wen Yao Ko has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Taiwanese community of Brisbane.
Ms Danielle Mulholland has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Taiwanese community of Brisbane.
Mr Mark Rigby has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to science as an astronomy and astronautics educator.
Mr Palanichamy Thevar has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Tamil and Indian communities of Queensland.
Dr Mark Waters has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medical administration.
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Mr Scott Stewart has been awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to local government and infrastructure in Queensland.
Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Mr Paul Owens has been awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.
Information on the awardees is available on the Governor-General's website . This list is updated as new details are confirmed. Please contact us if an honouree from the UQ community is not listed.
