Small group of sustainability professionals recognised in Australia Day honours

Amongst the sportspeople, philanthropists and medical researchers that dominated this year’s Australia Day Honours list, there were also a handful of people that have made major contributions to sustainability across science, engineering, urban planning, natural resource management, economics and good old-fashioned nature conservation.

NSW Chief Scientist and scientific engineer Emeritus Professor Mary Josephine O’Kane, also chair of the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy from 2010-2012, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to science and engineering, as a contributor to national policy development and governance, to the promotion of technology research and future energy supply, to higher education, and as a role model for young scientists.

Former Lowy Institute professorial fellow and professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU Professor Warwick J McKibbin was recognised for distinguished service to education as an economist, particularly in the area of global climate policy, and to financial institutions and international organisations. Professor McKibbin has published a number of books and articles around climate change, economics and public policy, and is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, where he is co-director of the Climate and Energy Economics Project.

Fellow of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects Donald Goldsworthy was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia “for service to architecture and urban design”. He established his practice in 1995 providing consultant services across architecture, strategic planning, asset management, urban design and project procurement to clients including the City of Greater Bendigo, the Department of Planning and Development for the Victorian State Government, and the Rehabilitation and Feasibility Branch for the Ministry of Housing.

Others awarded on the day included:

• Michael James Ball AM, NSW: for service to the community through leadership roles with major urban planning and heritage preservation organisations.
• Andrew (Drew) Clarke PSM, ACT: for service to public administration, communications and energy policy initiatives and reform, and the spatial information industry.
• Brian William Eaton, WA: for service to conservation and the environment through leadership roles with a range of organisations and contributions to public administration in Western Australia and aged care.
• John Barry Gollings, Vic: for significant service to photography through the documentation of iconic architectural landmarks in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The Fifth Estate has published many of his photos of award-winning sustainable architecture projects.
• David William Goodall, WA: for service to science as an academic, researcher and author in the area of plant ecology and natural resources management.
• Professor Hartmut Kaebernick, ACT: for service to the manufacturing sciences through the promotion and advancement of life cycle engineering product design.
• Dr Neville Graeme Marchant, WA: for service to conservation and the environment in Western Australia, to native plant taxonomy, and to research and education.
• John Hayward Mant, NSW: for significant service to urban planning and public administration as an advisor and consultant to local and state governments. Mr Mant was involved in drafting the original Environment Planning & Assessment Act.
• Professor John Cole, Qld: for service to the environment, to higher education, and to the community.
• Christine Curry, WA: for service to conservation and the environment.
• The late Helen Curtis, Vic: for service to wetland conservation and urban landcare.
• Susie Herzberg, SA: for service to conservation and the environment.
• Annette McGeachy, Vic: for service to conservation and the environment, particularly to botanic gardens.
• Michael Kennedy, NSW: for significant service to wildlife conservation and preservation, as an advocate and supporter, and to environmental policy development.