For their outstanding service in a range of fields, an inspiring and distinguished group of staff, students and alumni from The University of Queensland community have been honoured in the 2013 Australia Day awards and honours list.

UQ alumni were in in the running for Australian of the Year in three of the four categories, while many other staff, students and alumni received Australia Day honours.

The University congratulates Ms Ita Buttrose on being named Australian of the Year 2013 and all awardees for their achievements.

Australian of the Year finalists from the UQ community:

National Finalist Australian of the Year Professor Adele Green AC

Professor Green has been at the frontline of melanoma research for 20 years. As head of cancer and population studies at Queensland Institute of Medical Research, her research establishing that daily sunscreen use can halve the risk of melanoma set the benchmark for prevention. At UQ, she gained a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (1976) and Doctor of Philosophy 1984. More information is available here

National Finalist Senior Australian of the Year Laurie Lawrence

Starting with the smallest babies, Mr Lawrence's widely acclaimed program teaches children the skills to save themselves from drowning. Aiming to reduce child drowning rates to zero, he demonstrates the same conviction that saw him coach the Australian Olympic swimming team at Los Angeles in 1984, Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992. At UQ, he gained a Diploma of Physical Education (1963). More information available here

National Finalist Young Australian of the Year Julie McKay

In her five years leading UN Women Australia, more than $1 million has been raised for projects which directly affect the lives of women and girls in the developing world and hundreds of thousands of Australians have engaged with the organisation's work. At UQ, she gained a Bachelor of Arts (2004) and a Bachelor of Business Management (2004). More information available here.

See the original post here:
Australia Day honours abound for UQ community in 2013