INTERNATIONALLY recognised scientist and engineer Prof Brian ANDERSON AO, of Red Hill, has been awarded the honour of Companion in the Order of Australia.

He is one of two Canberrans promoted to the top honour (AC) the Queen’s Birthday awards.

The other is distinguished public servant Dr Ian WATT AO, of Griffith, a former secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Prof Anderson is honoured for eminent service to information and communications technology, to engineering and to higher education, as an academic, researcher and author, to professional scientific associations, and as a mentor of young scientists.

Dr Watt’s citation recognises his eminent service to the community through public sector leadership and administration, to innovative and effective governance, program delivery and policy reform, and to the promotion of workplace diversity.

Other Canberrans recognised were:

OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Dr Neil William DAVEY, Torrens, for distinguished service to public administration, particularly through seminal contributions to the development of Australia’s decimal currency, and to international banking, agriculture and bioscience organisations.

Dr Thomas Joseph HIGGINS, Barton, for distinguished service to agricultural biotechnology as a biologist and researcher, particularly in the area of plant nutritional value and resistance to pests and disease, and to professional scientific organisations.

Mr Michael MRDAK, Kambah, for distinguished service to public administration through executive roles in the infrastructure, transport and logistics sector, and through the development of policy reform initiatives.

The late Professor Michael Robin RAUPACH, late of, Chifley, for  distinguished service to science in Australia and internationally as a leader and researcher into climate change and land systems, and to professional organisations.

Mr Gary Francis QUINLAN, Kingston, for distinguished service to public administration in the field of international relations as a senior diplomat and ambassador, and as an advisor to government on foreign policy.

Professor John William WHITE, Turner, for distinguished service to science globally in the field of chemistry, as an academic, mentor and researcher, and through leadership of Synchrotron and neutron science projects in Australia and the Asia-Oceania region.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Dr Gordon Dean BEAUMONT, Yarralumla, for significant service to medicine, particularly in the field of otolaryngology, and to medical research and education.

Mr William Laurence DANIELS, Deakin, for significant service to education as an advocate for the independent schools sector, and to public administration.

Professor Denis James EVANS, Crace, for significant service to science, particularly chemistry, as an academic and researcher, to tertiary education, and to professional groups.

Dr Vivienne Joyce THOM, Yarralumla, for significant service to public administration through a range of senior roles, and as a mentor to women in executive positions.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Mrs Winifred Maud BENNETT, Conder, for service to the community, particularly as a hospital volunteer.

Ms Genevieve BOLTON, Turner, for service to the law, particularly to welfare rights.

The Reverend Neville Preston DRINKWATER, Charnwood, for  service to the Catholic Church in Australia.

Mrs June Patricia FIELD, Yass, NSW, for service to the community of Yass.

Mrs Sybil Agnes GATELY, Flynn, for service to choral music.

Mr Harold James HIRD, Spence, for service to the community of the ACT.

Mrs Margaret JOB, Forrest, for service to charitable organisations.

Mr Bryan Richard LENTHALL, Fraser , for service to rugby union.

The Reverend Peter Robert ROSE, Bruce, for service to the community through chaplaincy and Christian support roles.

Mr Alasdair Bilton ROY, Campbell, for service to children and young people through advocacy roles.

Mr Duncan Tod SMITH, Ngunnawal, for service to Indigenous youth, and to the community.

Mr Charles Michael STEELE, Spence, for service to the community through music.

PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)

Federal

Ms Jane Florence DICKENSON, Theodore, for outstanding public service leading to enhanced workforce participation of mothers in Australia.

Mr Warwick John FINN, for outstanding public service in advancing Australia’s interests.

Mr Peter William HARPER, Chapman, for outstanding public service through contributions to Australian and international statistics.

Ms Elizabeth Ann KELLY, for outstanding public service to Commonwealth administration in leadership roles.

Dr Steven Kevin KENNEDY, Weetangera, for outstanding public service in the area of climate change policy.

Ms Susan Margaret KRUSE, Kambah, for outstanding public service in the area of access to social, health and other payments and services.

Mr Michael LAWSON, Deakin, for outstanding public service to industry reform.

Ms Philippa Anne LYNCH, for outstanding public service through the delivery of whole-of-government legal policy and governance advice.

Mr Patrick John McINERNEY, Theodore, for outstanding public service in the protection of the ozone layer and the climate system.

Mr Rohan David McNEIL, for outstanding public service in the development of intelligence capability.

Mr Robert Clive PEAKE, Red Hill, for outstanding public service to aviation safety.

ACT

Ms Sandra GEORGES, O’Connor, for outstanding public service to the law, and to the community of the ACT.