Honours & Awards

2024

Dr Graham Grant (Fr 1951)

For contributions to biomedical engineering and medicine.

Mr Warwick Shanks (Fr 1988)

For outstanding service to business and the community with his involvement in a number of different organisations

2023

2022

Mr Allan Anforth AM (Fr 1975)

For significant service to the law, to social welfare and to education.

Dr Denis Hugh Gordon OAM (Fr 1954)

For service to the community of Belmont.

Mr James John Barkell OAM (Fr 1964)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Mr Donald Rees Magarey OAM (Fr 1958)

For service to the law and to music.

2021

Reverend Dr John Alexander Pender (OAM) (Fr 1969)

For service to the Uniting Church in Australia, and to education.

2019

Dr Lester William Burgess (AM) (Fr 1966)

For significant service to international agricultural research in the areas of plant pathology and biosecurity.

Dr Phillip Kelvin Brownlie (OAM) (Fr 1965)

For service to medicine as a general practitioner.

Dr Peter Ian Davidson (OAM) (Fr 1968)

For service to medicine as a general practitioner.

Emeritus Professor Trefor Owen Morgan (AO) (Fr 1953)

For distinguished service to medicine, and to medical research in the physiological sciences, particularly in relation to hypertension.

Dr Richard Murray Tooth (OAM) (Fr 1948)

For service to medicine as an orthopaedic specialist.

2018

Dr William Leith Porges (OAM) – Principal of St Andrew’s College 1999 – 2008

For service to tertiary education, and to veterinary science.

Professor Rosalind Frances Croucher (AM) – Honorary Fellow of St Andrew’s College

For significant service to the law as an academic, to legal reform and education, to professional development, and to the arts.

2022

Mr Richard John Dunstan OAM (Fr 1971)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Robert Peter Austin AM (Senior Tutor 1979-1981)

For significant service to the law and to the judiciary, and to education.

Mr David Arthur Kenyon AM (Fr 1975)

For significant service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory region.

2021

Dr Andrew K Hewish (Fr 1988)

For services to the Arts, in recognition of his role as founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Recent Drawing.

2020

Former Councillor/Hon. Fellow Dr Jennifer (Jill) Gordon AM

For significant service to psychological medicine, and to professional medical bodies. 

Emeritus Professor John William Longworth AM (Fr 1961)

For significant services to tertiary education, and to the agricultural sciences.

2019

Dr Keith Douglas Sutor AM (Fr 1973)

For significant service to international relations, and to the Uniting Church in Australia

Keith is Foreign Affairs Editor for Channel 7’s Sunrise and The Morning Show and is regularly sought after for comment on business and global issues. At Wesley Mission, he’s been a lay preacher for over 40 years, Honorary Secretary in Sydney since 2012, Chair of Wesley Congregational Life Council and a Consultant on Social Policy for 17 years. Other roles include President of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (1991-1998) at the University of Sydney, Chairperson of the International Commission of Jurists (NSW), and Managing Director of the Global Directions think tank.

2018

Mr David Westbrook Anstice AO (Fr 1966)

For distinguished service to Australia-America business relations, particularly in the pharmaceutical field, through roles with multinational and educational organisations.

David is a Non-Executive Director of CSL Limited (a global specialty biotechnology company to treat and prevent serious human medical conditions) in Melbourne and Alkermes (a biopharmaceutical
company that focuses on central nervous system diseases) in Massachusetts. He is also the Deputy Chair of the US Studies Centre’s Board of Directors.

Mrs Anita Belgiorno-Nettis AM (Past Parent)

For significant service to the community through support and philanthropic contributions to social welfare and arts organisations.

Anita is a Board Member of the Sydney Theatre Company and film producer. She has produced titles such as The Last Race (2011) and The Black Balloon (2008).

Dr Kim Alexander Ostinga OAM (Fr 1954)

For service to medicine, particularly to orthopaedics.

Kim is an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Co Founder of The Hunter New England Bone Bank at John Hunter Hospital, a ‘Live Donor’ femoral head bank. He is also President of the Friends of Kind Edward Park in Newcastle.

We would like to congratulate the following alumni for their efforts in the community and for receiving these prestigious awards.

2024

2023

Professor Richard Payne (PG 2008) – Elected a Fellow

Professor Payne has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. He is an international leader in the fields of organic chemistry and chemical biology from the University of Sydney.

Iver Cairns (Fr 1979) – Scientist of the Year

Iver was announced Scientist of the Year at the 2023 at the recent Australian Space Awards! Professor Cairns is the director of the Australian Research Council Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs and their Applications (CUAVA), and the leading partner at Waratah Seed.

Teddy Wilson (Fr 2021) – named Captain of Rugby Union team

Teddy was named the Junior Wallabies Captain for 2023.

Sam Martin (Fr 2021) – represents Australia at Winter World University Games

Sam represented Australia and University of Sydney in the Biathlon at the 2023 FISU Winter World University Games held in Lake Placid, USA.

Rory Cheal (Fr 2018), Jasper Gotterson (Fr 2018), Sean Stuart (Fr 2018) and Max – Run 80 states in 79 days!

Rory, Jasper, Sean and Max completed a challenge that saw them run 80 consecutive marathons in under 80 days – raising over $214,000 for the Cancer Council.

Phoebe Litchfield (Fr 2022) – makes International Cricket Debut

Phoebe became the first Australian teenager to hit an ODI half century on debut against Pakistan before going on to be named Player of the Match.

Alice Arnott (Fr 2016) – selected for Hockeyroos

Alice joined the Hockeyroos team for the 3-match series against India in May, along with the Australia A-Team.

Rohan Browning (Fr 2016) – wins 2023 Betty Cuthbert Medal

Rohan won this medal for Best Single Performance of the Meet at the 2023 Australian Track & Field Championships.

Tom Hunt (Fr 2017) – finishes first in 6633 Arctic Ultra

Tom competed in the 6633 Arctic Ultra, a gruelling 617 km footrace in -40°C conditions. He finished in first place, breaking the course record by 23 hours. In addition to this, Tom also raised over $20,000 in support of ‘Walking with the Wounded’, an organisation that provides support for ex-servicemen and women.

Tom Morrison (Fr 2022) – gains selection for Junior Wallabies

Tom who has been named as a part of the latest 41-man Junior Wallabies Training Squad alongside alumnus Teddy Wilson (Fr 2021). They are set to play against Fiji, Ireland and England in South Africa this June.

Sophie Payten (Fr 2012) – appointed to the Music Australia Council

Sophie joined this new government-backed body established to support and grow Australian music at home and abroad. Sophie, known professionally as Gordi, is an Australian folk singer. Offstage, she works as an emergency department doctor.

Michael De Huy (Fr 2022) – First Place in performing arts competition

Michael won first prize at the Valencia International Performing Arts International Piano Competition. Michael has also competed in a three-month tour of Europe and summer competitions sponsored by Create NSW, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was assisted by the SAC Travel Scholarship Program.

Emily Watts (Fr 2021) – secures Cycling Win

Emily is officially the 2023 National Road Series Women’s overall winner. Emily placed first in the Tour of Gippsland and Cycle Sunshine Coast, second in Tour of Tasmania and third in Grafton to Mt Mitchell, which secured her the overall win. 

Phil Waugh (Fr 1988) – appointed Rugby Australia CEO

Phil has become the first Wallaby to occupy this leadership role, having earned 79 caps for the national side as Wallaby Number 766.

Patrick Holt (Fr 2017) – Wins Gold for Australia

Patrick has celebrated a win in the Australian Men’s Eight Rowing team, securing Gold in the World Rowing Cup lll. They beat race favourites Great Britain in a brilliant tussle, crossing in 5:23.92.

Clarissa Luk (Fr 2018) – second Solo Show

Clarissa hosted her second solo exhibition in August. Following on from her inclusion in the successful ‘Fiercely Feminine’ Group Show in Melbourne and inaugural ‘Facsimile’ Show in Perth, Clarissa held her second solo show in Sydney. Over half of  Clarissa’s pieces from this year’s exhibition have now been sold, with proceeds going to support local charity Pass It On.

Jessica Harper (Fr 2013) – Launches Podcast

Jessica is a successful opera singer now residing in Belgium. She has launched her podcast ‘So You Think You Can Belto?’ in which she chats to opera and classical music professionals with the aim of helping Australian students wanting to move overseas and work in the industry.

Andrew’s Represent at Australian Boat Race

Eleanor Price (Fr 2020), Tiffany Botha (Fr 2022), Sophia Wightman (Fr 2022), Marcus Britt (Fr 2016), and current students Oscar Beregi (Fr 2023) and Henry Wilcox (Fr 2023) who were part of the winning USYD teams at this year’s Australian Boat Race. Held on the Yarra River, the team held onto their position over the 4.1km race, crossing the line around 15 seconds in front of Melbourne.

Netra Hankins (Fr 2020) – Victory at Annual Intervarsity Moot

Netra wins the 2023 Justice William Gummow Cup with the USYD team. This annual intervarsity moot is held between the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney. This year’s moot was centred around a question of equity.

Samuel Aubin (Fr 2021) – Wins Incubate Award

Samuel wins the INCUBATE Award for Best Student Startup at the University of Sydney Student Innovation Awards. Sam, a co-founder of AgX, an open operating system designed to simplify agricultural data, collaborated on this project with his business partner, Callum Taylor 

James Stokes (Fr 2013) – New single out now

James, known professionally as ‘Jimbo Stokes’, has released his new single ‘Same Damn Walls’. James refers to this song as “wanting to capture the feeling of hitting and knocking down life’s barriers, whether you’re running into them or putting them up, they can be hard to dodge, and annoying!” 

Victoria Boult (Fr 2016) – Given Green Light for TV show

Victoria will be writing and directing a television adaption of n00b for the small screen. n00b, which had its genesis as a successful TikTok series in 2021, follows a group of teenage outcasts in 2005, who use the internet and social media to escape reality.

Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017) – Nets First Matildas Goal

Clare scored her first international goal for the Matildas in October. Clare achieved this milestone during the AFC Women’s Asian Olympic qualifying match against the Phillipines in Perth. 

2022

Will Edwards (Fr 2007) – Archie Rose wins at 2021 World Whiskies Awards

Will, founder of Archie Rose Distilling Co, has seen both his Single Malt Whisky and Rye Malt Whisky win big in Round One of the 2021 World Whiskies Awards, taking out Australia Best Rye Whisky and Australia Best Single Malt Whisky (12 years & under).

Anthony Chen (Fr 2014) – 2021 Australian National Piano Award Finalist

Anthony has been named as one of the finalists for this year’s competition. Anthony is an award-winning pianist who completed his Bachelor of Music (Performance) with First Class Honours at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

David Anstice AO (Fr 1966) – Prestigious University of Sydney Award

David has been awarded an honorary doctorate from University of Sydney in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business, education and the wider community. David has over 45 years’ experience and is one of the most influential figures in the pharmaceutical industry.

Paige Taylor (Fr 2013) – RG Menzies Scholarship Recipient

Paige has been awarded this prestigious postgraduate scholarship by the Harvard Club of Australia. It is awarded to two recipients to pursue their dreams at the Harvard graduate school of their choice. Paige currently works as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company and will be studying for a Master in Public Administration in International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Ashley Gray (Fr 1985) – 2021 Cricket Book of the Year / the Cricket Society & MCC Book of the Year 2021

Ashley’s book ‘The Unforgiven: Missionaries or Mercenaries?’ has won the 2021 Cricket Society Book of the Year award at the Telegraph Sports Book Awards in London. The book has also won the 2021 Cricket Society and the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) Book of the Year Award. The competition, run by the Cricket Society and in partnership with the MCC, is highly regarded by writers and publishers.

Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017) – Matildas soccer debut

Clare made her international debut with the Matildas women’s soccer team in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on 22 September. Clare joined her current club, Fortuna Hjørring, the 11-time Danish Champions, earlier this year.

Iver Cairns (Fr 1979) – Australian satellites take off with Space-X

Iver, a Professor in Space Physics at the University of Sydney, led the team responsible for the successful launch of the CUAVA-1 in September, an Australian-designed and built satellite, onboard a SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The satellites are headed towards the International Space Station before they will start their orbit around Earth, gathering valuable data for use in future space exploration.

Jennifer Jackett (Fr 2008) – awarded the Joan Uhr Prize

Jennifer was jointly awarded the Joan Uhr Prize for her outstanding research focused on addressing public policy challenges, engaging across academia, the Australian Public Service and through the news media. The Australian National University awards the prestigious Joan Uhr Prize annually to the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation PhD scholar who has made the greatest contribution to public policy in the past year, particularly through strengthening the links between the Australian Public Service and ANU.

Rohan Browning (Fr
2016) – Athletics, Tokyo Olympic Games

Rohan is the first Australian male to qualify for the 100M
sprint since 2004. He is currently the fastest man
in Australia and the third fastest of all time. 

Jaime Ryan (Fr 2013)
– Sailing, Tokyo Olympic Games

Jaime has been selected to compete in the women’s 49erFX class. In Rio 2016, Jaime placed 15th overall in the women’s
470 event with sailing partner Carrie Smith. She currently sails at Newcastle
Cruising Yacht Club.

Hannah Buckling (Fr
2010) – Tokyo Olympic Games

Hannah is a member of the “Aussie Stingers.” This year, she
was awarded the SUSF Sportswoman of the Year award for her sporting achievements
and her willingness to encourage and teach younger players.

2020

Dr Alexander Abrahams (Fr 1977) – University of Sydney Alumni Award

Dr Alexander Abrahams was awarded the University of Sydney Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in May. Dr Abrahams transformed dental practice in Australia by establishing the largest branded dental network, Pacific Smiles, which has over 95 dental centres across the country and employs more than 600 dentists. A philanthropist and investor in start-ups for the greater good, he has provided: seed funding for Group Homes Australia, an innovative dementia care model where residents live in suburban homes with 24-hour care; the blood testing group, Haemokinesis, which develops products for emergency and transfusion medicine; and established the Rosebrook Foundation to fund the arts and healthcare in Australia. Through the Rosebrook Foundation, Dr Abrahams donated $3.6 million to the University of Sydney’s Chair of Lifespan Oral Health. Together with his wife, Sue, he also funds an Indigenous scholarship at the University.

Will Edwards (Fr 2007) – Australia’s Best Whiskey

Will is the founder of Archie Rose Distilling Co. and their whisky has been judged in 2020 as Australia’s Best Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in the US.

Ashley Gray (Fr 1985) – Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year

Ashley’s recently published book ‘The Unforgiven: Missionaries or Mercenaries?’ has been shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The award is the world’s longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize.

Jemima McCalman (Fr 2018) – Buildcorp Wallaroos Training Squad Selection

Jemima has been selected in the Buildcorp Wallaroos Training Squad that will meet at the AIS in Canberra in December. This will be the first national camp for the team in 2020 as they continue preparation for Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

Cameron Mostyn (Fr 2005) – Talisker Whisky Challenge

In January 2020, Cameron and three of his friends completed the Talisker Whisky Challenge, rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. They came second overall and produced the fastest time ever by an Australian Team. Their team, known as ‘Rowed Less Travelled’, raised over $280,000 for the Black Dog Institute.

Jamie Ryan (Fr 2013) SUSF 2019 Sportswoman of the Year

Jamie was named Sydney Uni Sports & Fitness Sportswoman of the Year for 2019. Jaime achieved selection for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2019 through impressive results on the world stage of sailing. In 2019, she placed 11th in the European championships and 35th in the world championships, competing in the 49erFX class in the Hempel World Cup series finishing the year ranked 7th in the world.

Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017) – Women’s Talent Identification Camp Selection

Clare has been selected for the Women’s Talent Identification Camp with the Westfield Matildas. The camp provides opportunity for some of Australia’s most promising female soccer players to be evaluated by the Westfield Matildas’ coaching staff as the national team program recommences.

2018

Genevieve Sergeant (Fr 2014)

The University of Sydney Visualise Your Thesis Competition

Yi Xuan (James) Zhang (Fr 2015)

The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Prize for Best Design Report at the University of Sydney

2015

Hannah Buckling (Fr 2010)

Nigel C Barker Medal at the University of Sydney’s 2015 Alumni Awards