Australia Day Honours bring wide-ranging ANU community achievements to light

Twenty-four members of The Australian National University (ANU) community, whose contributions to society span from clean energy technologies, history and law, have been named in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.

Professor Andrew Blakers, from the ANU College of Systems and Society, has been appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to science in the field of solar cell development, and as an advocate for energy storage and renewable technologies.

“It’s been a privilege to work in solar energy since 1979 and watch the industry grow from tiny deployments on satellites back-of-Bourke into a global juggernaut,” Blakers said.

Blakers is a renewable energy pioneer who has been instrumental in the development of more efficient solar cell technologies. In 2023, this work saw him honoured with the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, the world’s most prestigious engineering prize.

As a long-time advocate, he hopes to use the acknowledgement to continue his work highlighting the importance of accelerated renewable energy adoption to address climate change.

“Nowadays, global solar and wind power stations are being deployed five times faster than fossil and nuclear power stations combined because they are so cheap,” Blakers said.

“At current growth rates, global solar and wind generation will pass fossil and nuclear generation in 2032.

“Solar and wind are the solution to global warming and provide cheap smog-free energy forever.”

The Australia Day list, which this year honours 732 Australians, includes the Order of Australia (general and military divisions), meritorious awards, a COVID-19 honour roll, and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Professors David Headon and Paul Pickering were appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for service to history preservation as a historian, cultural advisor and author, and for service to tertiary education, social studies and history preservation, respectively.

The Honourable Richard Refshauge and The Honourable Alan Robertson, from the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy, were also appointed to Members of the Order of Australia (AM).

Refshauge is a sitting ACT Supreme Court judge and was recognised for his services to the ACT community and the arts. Meanwhile, Robertson, a former Federal Court judge, has been appointed for his service to the law, judiciary and the legal profession.

Eighteen ANU alumni were also given nods for their exceptional contributions to their fields, and to our nation.

Scientia Professor Megan Davis, a recipient of the Indigenous Alumna of the Year award, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her advocacy of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Vice-Chancellor and President Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell offered her congratulations to all recipients.

“We are so very proud of the members of our extended ANU community who are being recognised today. Their work, their passion and their contributions to Australia are all shining examples of the way our University strives to serve our communities and the nation.”

A number of other staff, alumni and donors were recognised for their remarkable service to the University. 

• The late Professor Lyndall Ryan AM – Officer of the Order of Australia.

• The Honourable Justice Brian John Preston SC – Officer of the Order of Australia.

• Professor Bronwyn Fox – Officer of the Order of Australia.

• Emeritus Professor Keith Alexander Nugent – Officer of the Order of Australia.

• Dr Peter Andrew Sawczak – Member of the Order of Australia.

• Colonel Thomas Robson McDermott DSO CSC – Member of the Order of Australia.

• Dr Emma Lee – Medal of the Order of Australia.

• Commander Luke Kenneth Andrews RAN – Medal of the Order of Australia.

• Commander Sandra Lee-Joy Bennett RAN – Medal of the Order of Australia.

• Mrs Tessa Sullivan – Medal of the Order of Australia.

• Mr Mark Barry Alcock – Public Service Medal.

• Dr Ralph King – Public Service Medal.

• Ms Gabrielle Tramby – Public Service Medal.

• Dr Brett Darren Yeomans – Public Service Medal.

• Air Commodore Anthony Phillip Jones (Retd) – Conspicuous Service Cross.

• Warrant Officer Class One Shane Robert Smith – Conspicuous Service Medal.

A full list of ANU staff, students, alumni and donors named in the honours list is available on the ANU alumni website here.