A leading mental health champion, a WA-raised adventurer and one of the architects of Australia’s higher education system are among 19 staff and alumni from The University of Western Australia recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.

Professor Helen Milroy, from The University of Western Australia’s Medical School and Stan Perron Professor Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia.

Professor Milroy, who also works for the Child and Adolescent Health Service (funded by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation) and the The Kids Research Institute Australia as an Honorary Research Fellow, is an Aboriginal doctor, child psychiatrist, artist, advocate and 2021 WA Australian of the Year.

Image: Professor Helen Milroy is an Aboriginal doctor, child psychiatrist, artist, advocate and 2021 WA Australian of the Year.

“I am both a proud Palyku woman and a proud Australian,” Professor Milroy said. 

‘I am honoured that my life’s work has been recognised and I hope this will bring renewed interest in how we can improve the health and wellbeing of all of our children and the important contribution our First Nations cultures and knowledges make to our lives.”

One of Australia’s most influential and experienced educational policy makers, the late Professor Peter Noonan, was also honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia. 

Born in Mullewa, Professor Noonan worked as a ministerial adviser to Hawke Government education minister John Dawkins as well as a tertiary education consultant to governments, business, education providers and policy makers. 

He was most recently Emeritus Professor at the Mitchell Institute and the Centre for Research on International Education Systems at Victoria University.

Expedition cyclist, explorer and passionate advocate for human rights and social justice Dr Kate Leeming, a graduate of The University of Western Australia, received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to adventure sports.

“Being recognised through the Order of Australia affirms that my commitment to my projects over the last 30 years is significant and appreciated at a national level,” Dr Leeming said.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma commended the Australia Day Honours recipients.

"Recipients from UWA recognised in this year’s honours are remarkable leaders in their very different fields and I congratulate all for their great work and achievements and in making such a difference in the communities in which they operate,” Professor Chakma said.

Three UWA staff members and 16 graduates were recognised in the Australia Day 2023 Honours List.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

For service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Dr David Denton, (UWA graduate) PhD '20
Mr Walter Edwards, (UWA graduate) BE '72
Ms Susan Hunt, (UWA graduate) MA '85
Professor Edwin Kirk, (UWA graduate) MBBS '90
Dr Michael Levitt, (UWA graduate) MBBS '81
Professor Helen Milroy, (UWA graduate) MBBS '83
Professor Peter Noonan, (UWA graduate) BA '76, BEd '80
Emeritus Professor John Pate, (UWA graduate) DSc '05
Emeritus Professor Ian Puddey, (UWA graduate) MBBS '76, MD '87
Professor Patricia Dudgeon
Professor Paul McMenamin

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

For service worthy of particular recognition.  

Ms Christine Allbeury, (UWA graduate) BSc '84
Dr Bernard Chapman, (UWA graduate) MBBS '86
Dr Ernest Evans, (UWA graduate) BE '57
Dr Katherine Leeming, (UWA graduate) BPEd '88, GradDipEd '89, DEd '16
Mrs Mary McComish, (UWA graduate) LLB '72
Mr Gerard McGann, (UWA graduate) BSc '71
Mrs Elsma Merillo, (UWA graduate) BEd '75
Dr Karen Smith