In summary

  • Swinburne staff, alumni and friends have been recognised for their service and achievements in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List
  • Swinburne Emeritus Professor Peter Hannaford has been appointed to the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for service to science
  • The Australia Day Honours list recognises 1047 inspirational Australians

Swinburne staff, alumni and community members are among 1047 inspirational Australians who have have been recognised for their service and achievements in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List.

Service to science, medicine, higher education and women’s affairs are some of the areas where our Swinburne community have made an impact worthy of the honours list.  

Emeritus Professor recognised for service to science

Swinburne Emeritus Professor Peter Hannaford has been appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to science, particularly to experimental physics, as an academic and researcher, to professional institutions, and as a role model for young scientists.

Emeritus Professor Hannaford's physics expertise is quantum materials. He is the leader of the Time Crystals project within Swinburne’s Optical Sciences Centre and one of the university's foundational researchers.

He is one of six people appointed to the Companion of the Order for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity.

Emeritus Professor Peter Hannaford (middle) is one of six people appointed to the Companion of the Order for his eminent service to science.

Recognition for Swinburne community

Other Swinburne community members recognised this year are: 

Office of the Order of Australia (AO)

Helen Tope, Swinburne alum: for distinguished service to environmental protection, particularly of the ozone layer, through leadership, research and policy development. Ms Tope is a lifetime member of the Swinburne National Centre for Sustainability. 

Member of the Order (AM)

Professor Bruce Thompson, former Dean of Health Sciences at Swinburne: for significant service to respiratory medicine, and to tertiary medical education

Adjunct Professor Marcia Devlin, Swinburne alum: for significant service to higher education, and to women

Leanne Miller, Swinburne alum: for significant service to women's affairs, and to the Indigenous community

Medal of the Order (OAM)

Dr Judith Wilks, Swinburne alum: for service to education

Alice Lai, Swinburne alum: for service to the Chinese community of Victoria

Related articles

  • 50 years of psychology at Swinburne: celebrating the people behind the science

    • Education
    • Science
    • University

    Swinburne’s Department of Psychological Sciences celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, reflecting on five decades of psychology education, research and professional training.

    Read more (50 years of psychology at Swinburne: celebrating the people behind the science)
    Wednesday 11 November 2026

  • Landmark reform of Australian university leadership

    Aerial view of the courtyard outside the ATC with some students walking and sitting.
    • University

    Australian university Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors will come together within a single national representative body.

    Read more (Landmark reform of Australian university leadership )
    Friday 06 November 2026

  • Bringing Indigenous students and industry together

    • Social Affairs
    • Business
    • University

    Swinburne’s inaugural Indigenous Industry and Careers Expo connected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with industry to explore career pathways and build professional connections.

    Read more (Bringing Indigenous students and industry together )
    Friday 06 November 2026

  • French climate technology startups explore Australian opportunities through Swinburne accelerator

    • Sustainability
    • University
    Six French startups have completed the inaugural Climate 4.0 Hub Flagship Accelerator, exploring new research, commercialisation and investment opportunities in Australia.
    Read more (French climate technology startups explore Australian opportunities through Swinburne accelerator)
    Thursday 12 November 2026

  • Swinburne to bolster Victoria’s future healthcare workforce with new healthcare precinct

    • University

    Swinburne University of Technology will train and upskill an additional 2500 future health professionals, with a new healthcare precinct at its Hawthorn campus.  

    Read more (Swinburne to bolster Victoria’s future healthcare workforce with new healthcare precinct )
    Monday 12 October 2026