Monash alumnus named Australian of the Year

January 2010

Photo: National Australia Day Council.

Monash University is extremely proud to congratulate alumnus Patrick McGorry (PhD Med 1991), who has been named Australian of the Year 2010. Professor McGorry completed a doctorate in medicine at Monash in 1991.

Professor McGorry received the top Australian honour for his contribution “to the improvement of the youth mental health sector to help transform the lives of tens of thousands of young people here and around the world”.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid tribute to Professor McGorry upon presenting him with his award on Australia Day eve:

“The incredible influence of his work, the number of young Australians and their families whose lives have been improved, and the value of his contribution to the nation cannot ever fully be measured,” he said.

For more than 25 years, Professor McGorry has devoted his time to young people with mental health issues and raised awareness of mental health in the community. He is Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health and Director of the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.

Photo: David McArthur, Parallax Photography.

Professor McGorry is one of three Monash graduates named Australian of the Year in the past four years. Others include Professor Tim Flannery (MSc 1981) and Professor Mick Dodson AM (BJuris 1974, LLB 1978).

Monash University has a number of connections with the Australian of the Year awards. The trophies (pictured right) were designed by glass artist and Monash alumna Kristin McFarlane (BA(GraphDes) 1994, GradDipA(CeramicDes) 2003, MFA 2005).

See a full list of Monash community members who received Australian Honours on the Alumni Relations website.