28 January 2020
Vice Chancellor of the University of South Australia, Professor David Lloyd has congratulated members of the University community who have been recognised in the Australia Day honours for 2020.
“The wide group of alumni, staff, friends and donors who have been acknowledged in the Australia Day awards are a true reflection of the enterprising spirit that lives through our community – people whose approach to life is to contribute their knowledge and capacity to improving society,” Prof Lloyd says.
Among the recipients, founding Director of UniSA’s Centre for Islamic Thought and Education, Professor Mohamad Abdalla was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia AM in recognition of his contribution to Islamic education.
Widely published on topics such as Islamic science, Islam in Australia and Islamic schooling in the West, Prof Abdalla is one of Australia’s most respected Muslim leaders and has received many civic awards including the Ambassador of Peace Award.
Recipient of an Officer of the Order of Australia, Amanda Vanstone earned a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from UniSA in 1984 to complete her legal education. Since leaving her career in politics and diplomacy, she has launched a media career, is an active contributor to a range of boards and associations, including Chair of the Anne and Gordon Samstag Museum of Art. UniSA acknowledged her contribution to the community with a special Alumni Award in 2018.
Former UniSA Council member, lawyer and company director of several government and not for profit boards, Terry Evans was awarded an AM for his services to education, the law and health.
Among the other AM recipients are graduates Jenny Richter and Tracey Whiting, and recipients of the medal of the Order of Australia, OAM, include alumni and donors Peter Carter, Andrew Peake, Barbara Sax, Gary Schulz, Jan Sutherland, and Peter Wallace, and Jan Cornish received the Public Service Medal.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli phone: +61 418 823 673 or +61 8 8302 0966 email:michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
