Alumni achievers

Monash University Chancellor and Honorary Patron of Monash Alumni Advisory Group, Dr Alan Finkel AM recently announced the recipients of the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of alumni selected by the Monash Alumni Advisory Group from more than 200,000 Monash alumni.

This year's recipients represent the global impact Monash alumni have on health, business, environment and the community. They contribute to enhancing the quality of the Monash student experience while representing the success of Monash University as a leader in teaching, learning and research.

Courage and compassion - the Distinguished Young Alumni Award

After completing his residency at Melbourne's suburban Box Hill Hospital, Dr David Mitchell (MBBS 2000) served with the Royal Australian Air Force from 2003 to late 2007. While deployed to East Timor in 2004 he was the United Nations aero-medical evacuation doctor. During the aftermath of the 2005 Bali bombing, he was the only General Practitioner (GP) to be part of the medical evacuation team. In 2006, he worked in Cyprus and Lebanon during the evacuation of thousands of Lebanese Australians. That same year, the Royal Australian College of General Practice named Dr Mitchell as GP Registrar of the Year 2006 and he received the Australian Defence Force Medal.

Professor Murray Esler AM, in supporting Dr Mitchell's nomination, stated: "David exemplifies the highest standards of military medical service. He has brought an outstanding level of medical expertise, logistic skill, courage and compassion to the arenas in which he served."

Mr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED

Serving Monash - the Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Mr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED (PhC 1956) and Mr John Sturdy (BE(Hons) 1978, MEngSc 1988, MBA 1990) share a common passion - giving back to Monash University, its students and its alumni.

Alistair Lloyd has actively contributed to the Victorian College of Pharmacy for more than 50 years. Mr Lloyd more recently joined the Victorian College of Pharmacy Foundation when it was founded in 2001 and has since served as Foundation Chairman. In this role he has formed and strengthened ties with alumni and established a number of studentalumni engagement initiatives. The Dean of the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Professor William Charman (BPharm 1981), nominated Mr Lloyd and wrote: "Alistair is arguably the most respected member of the pharmacy community...and no one has done more (or could do more) for strengthening the relationship between Monash University and its pharmacy alumni."

Mr John Sturdy

In nominating John Sturdy, former president of the Monash Alumni Association Incorporated, Mark Hillebrand (BBus(Mktg) 1988) described him as "a person of utmost integrity...with raw passion... [whose] primary focus was always long-term success and value derived by the Monash community". Mr Sturdy has developed, nurtured and participated in alumni, student and University-wide activities for almost 20 years. Mr Sturdy founded the Monash MBA Alumni Network and was an active committee member of the Monash Alumni Association Incorporated for more than 10 years. He regularly volunteers his time to the Faculties of Engineering and Business and Economics, serving on advisory committees and presenting talks.

Global leadership - the Distinguished Alumni Award

This award, the highest honour given to alumni by the alumni community, recognises lifetime achievement. The 2008 recipients represent the best of Monash University.

Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar

Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar (PhD 1990) is a leading academic, researcher and political analyst. During the administration of President Habibie of Indonesia, she served as Assistant to the Vice President for Global Affairs and Assistant Minister/State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Professor Anwar currently holds leadership positions with independent think tank The Habibie Centre and The Indonesian Institute of Sciences in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is also a board member of international bodies including the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission and the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. Her nominator, Professor Greg Barton (BA(Hons) 1988, PhD 1996), describes Professor Anwar as having "a towering reputation without equal among her peers".

Professor Tim Flannery (MSc 1981) was nominated by Professor John Long (BSc(Hons) 1981, PhD 1984) for his "outstanding achievements...in making research accessible to the public and in having a truly great effect on the way Australians now think about the environment". Tim Flannery is an acclaimed writer, scientist and explorer and was the 2007 Australian of the Year and 2005 Australian Humanist of the Year.

Professor Tim Flannery

Professor Flannery has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers and has written numerous books, including his international bestseller on global warming, The Weather Makers: The history and future impact of climate change. While arguably best known in Australia for his commentary on environmental issues, Professor Flannery has a distinguished record in the fields of zoology and palaeontology.

For more information, visit the Monash University Alumni website.