This year climate gamechangers and sustainability leaders were recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Notable was City of Sydney’s long time chief executive, Monica Barone, who was recognised with a Public Service Medal for her work championing the Resilient Sydney Network, which involved more than a decade of collaboration between 35 metropolitan councils.
Also notable was University of Technology Sydney’s Emeritus Professor Cynthia Mitchell, who was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to the environment through water resource sustainability as an innovator, leader and academic. She joined the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures in 2001.
University of New South Wales’ Emeritus Professor Helen Marian Lochhead was also appointed AO for her distinguished service to architecture and urban design, building regulation reform and education. She is the national president of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Dillon Kombumerri was also recognised with a Public Service Medal for his work at the NSW Architects Office, pioneering First Nations architect-led approaches to community engagement and design. He has also served University of Sydney as an adjunct professor for more than 12 years.
Here are some other winners who had contributed to architecture, environment, energy, conservation and more:
Awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM)
- Dr John Harold Dawson
- Mr Rodney Dix
- Mrs Sally Smith
Appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
- Mr Julian Bickersteth
- Mr David Damien Parer
- Distinguished Professor Louise Marie Ryan
- Dr Grahame John Webb
- Professor Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt
Appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
- Dr Patricia Ann Hutchings
- Dr Brett Anthony Summerell
- Dr Muriel Emmeline Watt
- Ms Margaret Leonie Edmond
- Dr John Joseph Taylor
Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
- Mrs Judith Anne Blyth
- Ms Elizabeth Murray Bourne
- Mrs Carlsa Joyce Carter
Mr Leon Francis Costermans - Mrs Winsome Kathlyn Lambkin
- Ms Cathryn Norma Nixon
- Ms Lee (Gidja) Isabel Walker
- Mr Paul Grimshaw
- Mr Paul Anthony Hede
- Mr Peter Alexander Hodge