King’s list honours exceptional UTS leaders

An internationally recognised health economist is among an extensive list of University of Technology (UTS) community members who have been named on the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list.

UTS researchers, academics, alumni and board members are among the more than 1,100 Australians recognised for their contributions and service to the community.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Parfitt, congratulated all members of the UTS community who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

“These national awards acknowledge and celebrate the significant contributions made by our colleagues and community, not just locally, but globally. Looking at all the recipients I am absolutely inspired by them and their achievements, and I am honoured to have them as a part of UTS.”

Distinguished Professor Jane Hall has been appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.

Professor Hall was commended for her distinguished service to the social sciences, to academic leadership and mentoring, and to national and international associations.

Professor Hall founded the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) in 1991, and currently serves as its Director of Strategy. She has built CHERE’s national and international reputation for research excellence and policy relevance over three decades; the centre is sought out by governments, industry and academics for its leadership and translation of research into meaningful health policy and practice.

Professor Hall has been instrumental in the development of the fields of health economics and health services research in Australia, including as a member of the boards of the NSW Bureau of Health Information and of the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, and she has nurtured and inspired a generation of researchers.

Professor Joanne Gray has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education and to the midwifery profession.

Professor Gray played a key role in the development of implementation of the Bachelor of Midwifery at UTS, the first to be offered in NSW. Her research focuses on midwifery education, the embedding of continuity of midwifery care experiences and innovative approaches to learning, teaching and assessment.

Professor Gray led the UTS Graduate School of Health from 2018 – 2022, and she is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education.

Professor Gray is the President and Director of the Australian College of Midwives, and Board Director of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Professor Nicky Leap has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to midwifery as a clinician and educator.

Professor Leap is an Adjunct Professor of Midwifery in the UTS School of Nursing and Midwifery, and was integrally involved in the development and implementation of the Bachelor of Midwifery program.

She helped develop national standards for midwifery education and practice in Australia, and played a pivotal role in the implementation of NSW’s first publicly funded homebirth program.

Professor Deborah Bateson, Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medicine through research and education, and to reproductive health.

Professor Sally Tracy, Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to tertiary education, and to midwifery.

Ms Juliette O’Brien, a lecturer in Data and Entrepreneurial Journalism in the UTS School of Communication, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to journalism, and to community health.

Other members of our extended community include: 

The late Mr Richard Grills, a former member of the UTS Orthoptic Industry Advisory board and a member of the Visiting Committee at the UTS Orthoptics School, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to community eye health, and to the ophthalmic optics industry.  

Clinical Associate Professor Andrew Chang, a former member of the UTS Orthoptic Industry Advisory Board, has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to ophthalmology and retinal surgery as a clinician and educator.

Mr Sean Gordon, a recipient of the UTS Excellence Alumni Award, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Indigenous community as an advocate for equity.

Ms Juanita Ann Davies, former Coordinator of the St Basil's Nursing Home Student Placement Program, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to aged welfare.

Mr Peter Jenkins, former member of the UTS Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Industry Advisory Board, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to electrical engineering.

The late Mr Ian White was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to athletics. Mr White was a life member and Vice President of the UTS Sydney Norths Athletics Club.