08 February 2013
University of South Australia graduates from as far back as 1951 and as recent as 2002 have been honoured for their contribution to Australian society in the Australia Day Awards this year.
And two former staff members, water engineer Adjunct Professor John Argue (pictured) and Art and Architecture’s Adjunct Associate Professor Jack Cross were appointed officers in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for their contribution to education in their fields of expertise.
Prof Argue has been a pioneer of sustainable ideas in water management in urban environments in Australia – working on innovative urban engineering ideas for the capture and reuse of urban water well before these ideas were in the headlines.
His passion for his work played a strong role in inspiring students to work and research in the field.
He led research into the principles and application of water sensitive urban design and under the auspices of Engineering Education Australia has conducted workshops around the nation teaching an integrated approach to safely harvesting stormwater and protecting people, property, rivers, streams and the marine environment from polluted or unmanaged water flows.
Working in both UniSA’s School of Art and School of Education, Assoc Prof Cross was and continues to be a passionate educator.
For 20 years he was Dean of Studies at the University’s Underdale campus and since his “retirement” he has continued to teach at the University of the Third Age and Workers Educational Association (WEA) winning lifetime achievement awards from both entities.
In 2012 his landmark publication Great Central State: The foundation of the Northern Territory was awarded the 2012 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award.
Honours also went to UniSA graduates, Bachelor of Technology in Electronic Engineering, Nick Begakis AO, acknowledged for service to business and export development in South Australia and Bachelor of Business in HR Development, Major General Gerard Fogarty AO, for distinguished service as Deputy Commander Joint Task force 633 in Iraq.
The wider list of UniSA graduates who were awarded honours is available online.
Media contact
Michèle Nardelli office: 08 8302 0966 mobile: 0418 823 673 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
