A glittering night celebrating our stars

July 2009

Monash University welcomed its six new distinguished alumni, and honoured the entire alumni community, at the University’s 2009 Distinguished Alumni Awards in June.

The gala awards ceremony was held at BMW Edge in Melbourne’s Federation Square in front of an audience of more than 350 alumni, staff, donors, students and friends.

The Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel AM presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to innovative technologist and entrepreneur Mr Alan Ramadan (BSc 1984) and medical researcher Professor Susan Davis (MBBS 1980, PhD 1989). The Chancellor also paid tribute to Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins AO who retired from the University at the beginning of July.

In presenting the awards, the Chancellor commented that the six recipients had been selected from the vast global Monash alumni community.

“These alumni have made an impact on the world stage – in education and research, business, health care, the environment, development and innovation. This evening’s awardees are without peer,” said Dr Finkel.

Professor Larkins presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to environmental expert Dr Fritz Balkau (BSc(Hons) 1968, PhD 1972, DipEd 1974) and bioethics educator and researcher Professor Julian Savulescu (BMedSc(Hons) 1988, MBBS(Hons) 1988, PhD 1995).

Mr Richard Henderson (DipArtDes 1974), a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 2007, presented the 2009 Distinguished Young Alumni Award to humanitarian Mr Hugh Evans (BSc 2008, LLB(Hons) 2008).

Dr Janine Kirk (BEc 1974, HonLLD 2007), eminent alumna and the awards ceremony MC, presented the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Service Award to business leader Mr George Pappas (BEc(Hons) 1968).

A special award was presented by Dr Christine Nixon APM (HonLLD 2005), the Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. The award recognised the contribution of the entire Monash alumni community during the Victorian bushfires. The award, now on display outside the office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland), was accepted by alumnus and staff member Mr Steven Barling (ADipBus(GenAdmin) 1990), the captain of the Churchill CFA, on behalf of the alumni community.

Students and staff, from the School of Music – Conservatorium (Faculty of Arts) and the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts provided the musical performances at the awards ceremony.

The stunning awards trophies – a hallmark of the event since 2007 – were designed and made by alumna and Faculty of Art & Design staff member Bethany Wheeler (BA(CeramicDes) 2000, MFA 2003).

Read more about the award recipients, and view short DVDs about their careers and achievements, by visiting the Distinguished Alumni Awards web page.