UQ community celebrated with 2026 King’s Birthday Honours

A dermatologist dedicated to improving skin cancer detection and a trailblazing doctor advancing healthcare delivery to Indigenous communities are among University of Queensland staff and alumni recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. 

UQ community members are among 949 remarkable Australians who have received honours for their exceptional contributions to the nation.  

Professor H. Peter Soyer, Dermatology Research Centre Director at UQ’s Frazer Institute, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to dermatology, to the diagnosis of skin cancer, to medical research and development, and to governance roles.

Professor Soyer’s recent research has focused on 3D total body imaging and the incorporation of AI into dermatology, with the aim of improving early detection and management of melanoma and other skin cancers to achieve better patient outcomes.

“As an Austrian citizen who has now lived in Australia as a permanent resident for 19 years, I did not realise that a non-Australian could be recognised through the Order of Australia,” Professor Soyer said. 

“I was deeply honoured and genuinely surprised to learn that several colleagues nominated me – it was a very special moment, and I would strongly encourage others to nominate people whose contributions they admire and value.

“I am specifically committed to developing innovations in dermatology that help address the current inequities in health care access, delivery, and outcomes across regional, rural and remote Australia. 

“Collaboration and inclusion are central to achieving meaningful and lasting improvements in healthcare.”

Professor Noel Hayman, a proud Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon man, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medicine, particularly to Indigenous health care and medical education. 

Professor Hayman was one of the first two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MD graduates from UQ and founded the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care. 

“I saw Aboriginal people had very poor access to primary healthcare, so my goal has always been to improve services to the community,” Professor Hayman said.

“It is critical that healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is grounded in cultural respect and community leadership.

“I am honoured to be recognised for my work in community health, research and teaching and I will continue to advocate for better Indigenous health outcomes.” 

UQ congratulates all community members recognised with awards:

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Emeritus Professor Justin Kenardy (staff and alum) – For distinguished service to clinical psychology, to the understanding of traumatic stress, to governance roles, and to tertiary education.

Emeritus Professor David McIntyre (staff and alum) – For distinguished service to medicine as a clinician, to medical research and education, to policy development, and to allied health administration.

Emeritus Professor Michael Roberts (staff and alum) – For distinguished service to pharmaceutical science and medicine, to the advancement of topical drug delivery, and to clinical toxicology research.

Professor H. Peter Soyer (staff) – For distinguished service to dermatology, to the diagnosis of skin cancer, to medical research and development, and to governance roles.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Mr Mathew Ames (alum) – For significant service to intensive care medicine, to sport, and to education.

Associate Professor David Austin (staff) – For significant service to community health, to engineering, to business administration, and to corporate governance.

Emeritus Professor Tracey Bunda (staff) – For significant service to tertiary education and research, and to the Indigenous community. 

Emeritus Professor Mark Bush (alum) – For significant services to engineering, to tertiary education, and to the community.

Ms Debra Camden (alum) – For significant service to the public relations and strategic communications industry.

Professor Noel Hayman (staff and alum) – For significant service to medicine, particularly to Indigenous health care and medical education. 

Professor Warwick Middleton (alum) – For significant service to psychiatric medicine, and to research into and treatment of complex traumagenic dissociation. 

Dr John North (alum) – For significant service to orthopaedic medicine, to international surgery outreach, and to education and training.

Emeritus Professor Sarah Roberts-Thomson (staff and alum) – For significant service to pharmaceutical medicine, to academic leadership, and to tertiary education. 

Dr Shane Sondergeld (alum) – For significant service to rural and remote medicine, to general practice, and to the community.

Associate Professor Michael Steyn (staff) – For significant service to anaesthesiology and peri-operative medicine, and to health leadership.

Mr Damon Thomas (alum) – For significant service to local government, to the law, and to the community of Tasmania.

Dr Bernard Tuch (alum) – For significant service to endocrinology, and to medical research.

Professor Sean Tweedy (staff and alum) – For significant service to para sport, to adapted physical activity research, and to tertiary education.

Professor Balasubramanian (Bala) Venkatesh (staff and alum) – For significant service to critical and intensive care medicine, to infection control, and to tertiary education.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mrs Christine Castley (alum) – For service to the multicultural community, and to public administration.

Dr Thomas Condon (alum) – For service to dentistry, and to the community of Southern Downs.

Mr Wayne Fossey (alum) – For service to the Indigenous communities of southern Queensland.

Associate Professor Alan Gale (alum) – For service to cardiothoracic surgery, and to the community. 

Mr Craig Holden (alum) – For service to the community, and to surf lifesaving.

Mr Geoffrey Joy (alum) – For service to education.

Dr Rodney Kirkpatrick (alum) – For service to community history.

Mr William te Kloot (alum) – For service to business governance and risk management.

Mr Ross Lee (alum) – For service to the law, and to the community.

Mr Mark Neave (alum) – For service to youth.

Dr Robert Newby (alum) – For service to conservation and the environment.

Mr Stephan Schnierer (alum) – For service to fisheries management.

The Reverend Dr Noel Clifford Schultz (alum) – For service to the Lutheran and Uniting Churches.

Ms Cecile Wake (alum) – For service to the energy supply industry, and to education.

Public Service Medal (PSM)

Associate Professor Helen Irving (staff and alum) – For outstanding public service to paediatric health care in Queensland.

Mr Paul Walmsley (alum) – For outstanding public service to the economic development of rural and regional Queensland.

Australian Police Medal (APM) 

Detective Superintendent George Marchesini (alum) – For distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force.

This list will continue to be updated.