Emeritus Professor Carol Bower, who has had a profound impact on child and public health over a 40-year career, was one of 25 UWA-affiliated staff and alumni recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Professor Bower, whose landmark research and advocacy around the link between low folate levels and birth defects led to the mandatory fortification of flour in 2009, was named a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) – the nation’s highest honour.

Professor Bower, from UWA Medical School and a The Kids Research Institute Australia founding researcher, said she had thought long and hard about whether to accept the honour.

“My first response was that I was just doing my job,” she said. “However, I realised that in recognising me, this honour is actually recognising the many wonderful people with whom I have had the enormous privilege of working.

“This award is truly for them – especially for colleagues at the WA Register of Developmental Anomalies, The Kids Research Institute Australia, and The University of Western Australia, and the consumers and community members who have contributed to our research.”

Emeritus Professor Bower, MBBS '71, PhD '91, is one of six recipients nationwide to receive an AC in the King’s Birthday Honours, which recognise eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large

Image: Emeritus Professor Carol Bower.

The Honourable Colin Barnett, BEc '73, MEc '83 and an Adjunct Professor at UWA’s Business School, received an AC for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia: as premier; for economic and infrastructure development; social welfare reform; and to the Indigenous community.

Professor Kingsley Dixon, BSc '76, PhD '82 and a former staff member, received an Office of the Order of Australia (AO), which recognises distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.

Professor Dixon received his AO for distinguished service to conservation biology, particularly ecological research and restoration, and tertiary education.

Dr Cassandra Goldie, BJuris '86, LLB '87, was recognised with an AO for distinguished service to social justice through leadership and advocacy to promote the rights of people marginalised and disadvantaged in the community.

Dr David Blacker, from UWA's Medical School and Perron Institute’s Medical Director, received a Member for the Order of Australia (AM), which recognise service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.

Dr Blacker received his AM for significant service to medicine and to neurological research.

Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Emeritus Professor Robyn Owens, from UWA's School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, was recognised with an AM for significant service to science in the fields of computer vision and mathematics.

Associate Professor Rosanna Capolingua, MBBS '83, received and AM for significant service to patient care, to medicine and as a role model to women.

Dr George Galvin RFD, BSc '65, MBBS '73, was recognised with an AM for significant service to military history, to governance in sport and to emergency medicine.

Professor Warren Harding, BSc(Agric) '79, received and AM for significant service to business, to community health and to the information technology industry.

Mr Terry Hill, BSc(Agric) '80, received an AM for significant service to primary industry, to public administration and to the agricultural sector.

Ms Joanna Horgan, BA '89, DLitt '17, was recognised with an AM for significant service to retail business, and to women in executive roles.

The late Mr Robert Meadows KC, LLB '64, received an AM for significant service to the law and the legal profession in WA.

Professor Josephine Ward, BSc '76, received an AM for significant service to tertiary education and to science.

Professor Alice Pebay, an Adjunct Associate Professor for the Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science at UWA, received an AM for significant service to science, particularly through stem cell and neuroscience research.

Mr Nicolo Catania, BEc '71, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), which are awarded for service worthy of particular recognition, for service to the community through a range of roles.

Ms Vanya Cullen, BSc '83, was recognised with an OAM for service to viticulture and oenology.

Dr Andrew Davies, MBBS '97, received an OAM for service to medicine and to the community.

Mr David De Vos, BA '66, received an OAM for service to the broadcast media as a journalist.

Mr Norbert Fandry, BScEd '76, was recognised with an OAM for service to secondary education.

Ms Susan Hayes, BA '93, MPhil '94, received an OAM for service to literature, particularly as an administrator.

Ms Eugenie Jelly, MEdMan '92, received an OAM for service to nursing as a clinician and an educator.

Ms Kathleen McGurk, BA '86, was recognised with an OAM for service to the visual arts through administrative roles.

Mrs Esme Moulds, BSW '98, received an OAM, for service to social welfare support.

Mr Stephen Reynolds, BSc '86, GradDipEd '97, received an OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Dr Fergus Gardiner, an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at UWA Medical School and the Rural Clinical School, received an OAM for service to medicine.

The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises and celebrates the outstanding contribution of Australians.