Imma Perfetto
Cosmos science journalist
Medical researchers, physicists, and archaeologists are among the more than 700 people celebrated today by the Australia Day 2025 Honours List for their achievements and services to the nation.
Six individuals were appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree, in service to Australia or to humanity at large.
One of them is infectious diseases physician Professor Allen Cheng, who was recognised for services to medicine as an epidemiologist, infectious and communicable disease research and education, and to national and international public health policy. Cheng’s research covers a wide range of issues, including sepsis, influenza and vaccine effectiveness, to hospital infection prevention and control.
Twenty-three people were appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.
Of these, Emeritus Professor Andrew Blakers has been recognised for his work in the field of solar cell development, and as an advocate for energy storage and renewable technologies. Blakers led the team that developed PERC solar photovoltaic technologies, which are used in half of all solar panels ever made.
Professor Bronwyn Fox has been appointed for distinguished service to public administration, to scientific research and development, to advanced manufacturing, and to tertiary education. Fox is a professor of materials science and the deputy vice chancellor research and enterprise at the University of New South Wales, and was previously Chief Scientist at CSIRO.
Dr Hugh Kirkman has been recognised for distinguished service to conservation and the protection, management and sustainability of seagrasses and marine ecosystems.
Professor Claire Smith has been appointed for distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly social and anthropological archaeology, and as a national and international academic. Her research focusses on how Indigenous knowledge can enrich archaeological theory, method and practice.
Emeritus Professor and physicist Keith Nugent is recognised for distinguished service to tertiary education and to the advancement of optical physics.
This year, 108 people were appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in a particular locality or field of activity, or to a particular group.
They include Professor Nina Tirnitz-Parker, recognised for her for significant service to biomedical science. Tirnitz-Parker’s research group at Curtin University works on basic, translational and clinical research in liver disease, fibrosis and cancer.
The Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, Professor Stuart White, has been appointed for significant service to environmental research, to corporate sustainability, and to tertiary education.
Professor Lauren Ayton has been recognised for significant service to optometry, to ophthalmology, and to public health as a clinician and researcher. Her research interests are in vision restoration, retinal pathology and clinical assessment of visual performance.
And 320 people have been awarded the Medal of the Order (OAM) for service worthy of particular recognition. Among them is John Saxon – for service to science, particularly deep space tracking and exploration – and Professor Claudine Bonder, an expert in vascular biology, for service to medical research.
Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia at www.gg.gov.au.
