Former Australian cricket captain and philanthropist Steve Waugh AO has been honoured as the 2025 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asialink Medallist.
The Medal recognises outstanding records of achievement in improving Australia-Asia relations and enhancing the quality of life in the region.
Mr Waugh was recognised for his longstanding commitment to deepening ties between Australia and India. Through his philanthropic work and public advocacy, he has used his public profile to draw attention to the importance and uniqueness of Australia's relationship with India.
Previous recipients include economist and Myanmar expert Professor Sean Turnell, international policy maker Professor Gareth Evans AC KC and Gabi Hollows AO.
Steve Waugh AO delivering his acceptance speech. Image credit: Aaron Francis
"This is something pretty amazing," Mr Waugh said in accepting the honour. "I'll really treasure this. This is one of the biggest awards I've gotten throughout my career, I really appreciate it.
"(For) Australia and India it just seems like the time is right now, the stars have aligned and Australia and India should do a lot of business together. It just feels like there's a good vibe.
"(India is) a place which is so different to Australia. But at the end of the day, I realised the people are the same as us. They're just from different backgrounds, different cultures and we've got to respect each other and get on better with each other."
Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) said: "The Dunlop Medal and Lecture honours Australians who, like Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, have demonstrated a visionary commitment to Australia-Asia relations. Continuing to strengthen ties with our Asian neighbours is vital to economic prosperity and our ability to address shared global challenges.
"It is a great privilege to award this year's medal to Steve Waugh AO. Widely recognised as one of the greatest Australian cricketers of all time, Steve has used his profile to highlight the importance and uniqueness of Australia's relationship with India. He understands the great economic and people-to-people opportunities that arise out of our shared love of sport and has drawn on this to the great benefit of our bilateral relationship."
Professor Linfa Wang delivering the 2025 Dunlop Asia Lecture. Image credit: Aaron Francis
The 2025 Dunlop Asia Lecture was delivered by infectious disease expert Professor Linfa Wang. Nicknamed "Batman", Professor Wang is globally recognised for his contributions to bat viruses and bat biology, and innovations to combat viral outbreaks.
Struck by the description of Dunlop as a "lighthouse of sanity in a universe of madness and suffering", Professor Wang said that he too has "tried to build lighthouses – not on the battlefield, but in the laboratory".
"Just as Dunlop spent his later years teaching surgeons across Asia, our role as scientists is also to share knowledge across borders," Professor Wang said. "The lessons from bats are not just biological - they are philosophical. Balance, not aggression. Harmony, not fear. Tolerance without weakness."
Asialink Group Chief Executive Officer Martine Letts said: "Professor Linfa Wang's pioneering research was instrumental in our response to outbreaks from the Hendra virus in Australia to the COVID-19 pandemic globally. His career is an example of the scientific and institutional collaboration the Asia and Pacific region needs in the face of shared global challenges."
