Honorary awards
Learn about the different honorary awards and see a list of past recipients.
Honorary awards recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution to the University, our regions or their field of expertise. The University Council decides who will receive an award.
Any University staff member – including members of Council – can nominate someone for an honorary award. This must be done in writing, addressed to the Council Secretariat at council@federation.edu.au.
For full details about eligibility, nomination requirements and assessment processes, see the Honorary Awards Procedure and the Distinguished Professor Procedure.
Honorary doctorate
This award recognises those who fit at least one of the following criteria:
- They have shown exceptional service to the University, usually over a sustained period of time.
- They have made a distinguished contribution to a relevant discipline or branch of learning.
- They have an exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Dr Terry Moran AC (22 October 2025)
Dr Robert Hook AM (21 October 2025)
Dr Anthony (Tony) Stone (19 March 2025)
Dr Jacqueline (Jackie) Huggins AM FAHA (16 October 2024)
Dr Peter Jopling AM KC (21 March 2024)
Dr Peter Wilson (29 March 2023)
Dr Meredith Doig (22 March 2023)
Dr Paul J H Hemming AO (19 October 2022)
Dr Geoff Raby AO (14 February 2022)
Dr Steve Davies (7 July 2021)
Dr Michael Ryan OAM (6 July 2021)
Dr George Joseph Fong Wah (1 April 2021)
Dr Robert Chong AM (5 December 2018)
Dr Colin Prowse OAM (6 December 2017)
Emeritus Professor David Battersby AM (7 December 2016)
Professor Liu Hongyi (1 November 2016)
Dr Aunty Eileen Harrison (19 May 2016)
Dr Elizabeth Lewis-Gray (12 May 2016)
Dr Lynne McLennan (9 May 2016)
Dr Shesh Ghale (9 December 2015)
Dr Peter Hall (7 May 2015)
Dr Donald Johns OAM (29 May 2014)
Dr Rex Hollioake, MBE OAM FIE Aust (12 May 2014)
Dr Rowena Coutts (9 May 2014)
Dr Greg Smith (3 May 2013)
Aunty Laura Bell (6 May 2013)
Dr Judy Verlin AM (7 May 2013)
Dr Doug Sarah OAM (7 May 2013)
Emeritus Professor Robert H T Smith (13 December 2012)
Dr Andre Agterhuis (2 May 2012)
Dr Peter Manders (1 May 2012)
Dr Heather Ridout (9 May 2011)
Dr Jeremy Johnson (9 May 2011)
Dr Roger Donaldson (4 May 2011)
Dr Wai-man Woo (3 May 2010)
Dr Christine Nixon APM (10 Dec 2009)
Hon John Dawkins AO (4 May 2009)
Sister Rita Hayes RSM (6 May 2008)
Dr John Hurley (5 May 2008)
The Hon Stephen Phillip Bracks (12 Dec 2007)
Dr John Edward Harvey AO (12 Dec 2007)
Dr Janet Holmes a Court, AC (9 May 2007)
Professor Emeritus Kwong Lee Dow AM (7 May 2007)
Dr Margaret McIver (4 May 2007)
Hon Richard de Fegely (18 Dec 2006)
Emeritus Professor Kerry O Cox (10 May 2006)
Dr Ian Gordon (10 May 2006)
Dr Daryl Jackson (5 May 2006)
Dr John Robert Magrath (10 May 2005)
Dr Edward John (Jack) Barker OAM (13 Dec 2004)
Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (13 Dec 2004)
Dr Fiona Caro (12 May 2004)
Professor Emeritus David Caro AO OBE (10 May 2004)
Dr Alan Kenneth Webb OAM (13 May 2003)
Dr Ewan Charles Jones (10 May 2002)
Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Blainey AC (9 May 2002)
Dr David Henry Haymes (7 May 2002)
Dr Cathy Freeman OAM (17 Dec 2001)
Dr Steven Moneghetti (3 May 2001)
Dr William Pryor AO (1 May 2001)
Dr Mary Atkinson (19 May 2000)
Emeritus Professor David James AO (19 Dec 2000)
Hon Jeffrey Kennett AC (18 May 2000)
Sir Edward Woodward OBE (6 May 1998)
Professor Emeritus David Penington AC (23 Apr 1997)
Professor Emeritus Tom O'Donnell (22 Apr 1997)
Emeritus professor
This award recognises retiring and (in exceptional circumstances) resigning professors who have made a distinguishing contribution and given outstanding service to the University over a number of years.
Emeritus Professor Robyn Brandenburg (5 May 2026)
Emeritus Professor Fadi Chachar (5 May 2026)
Emeritus Distinguished Professor Syed Islam (5 May 2026)
Emeritus Professor Madhu Chetty (28 April 2026)
Emeritus Professor Guojun Lu (29 October 2025)
Emeritus Professor Denis Foley (21 October 2025)
Emeritus Professor Dara Twomey (8 October 2024)
Emeritus Professor Wendy Cross (8 October 2024)
Emeritus Professor Erica Smith (3 October 2023)
Emeritus Professor Andrew Smith (22 March 2022)
Emeritus Professor Peter Gell (18 March 2022)
Emeritus Professor Helen Bartlett (11 May 2021)
Emeritus Professor Rae Mackay (6 December 2017)
Emeritus Professor David Battersby AM (7 December 2016)
Emeritus Professor John Smyth (9 December 2015)
Emeritus Professor Frank Stagnitti (9 December 2015)
Emeritus Professor Peter Matthews (19 February 2013)
Emeritus Professor Terry Lloyd (30 May 2012)
Emeritus Professor Wayne Robinson (4 May 2010)
Emeritus Professor Sydney Morris (3 May 2010)
Emeritus Professor Martin Westbrooke (7 May 2007)
Emeritus Professor Kerry O Cox AO (10 May 2006)
Emeritus Professor Ray Over (19 Dec 2000)
Emeritus Professor David James AO (19 Dec 2000)
Emeritus Professor Stephen Kemmis (5 May 1998)
Distinguished professor
This award, launched in 2024, recognises Federation University professors who have attained international distinction for their exceptional and continuous contributions to research, scholarship, and/or engagement and innovation.
Distinguished Professor Helen Thompson (8 October 2024)
Distinguished Professor Syed Islam (8 October 2024)
Distinguished Professor Shane Thomas (8 October 2024)
Distinguished Professor Colette Browning (8 October 2024)
Fellow of the University
This award recognises those who fit at least one of the following criteria:
- They have served as an exemplar to staff and students of the University through demonstrating leadership and initiative or distinction in a field of endeavour.
- They have rendered sustained and distinguished service to the University.
- They have a professional standing within the community.
Mr Malcolm Vallance (8 Dec 2016)
Dr Kennece Coombe (7 Dec 2016)
Mr Wai-man Woo (29 Oct 2006)
Mr William Hamish McGregor (10 May 2005)
Mr John Douglas McClure (10 May 2005)
Mr Colin Richard Prowse OAM (13 Dec 2004)
Ms Pamela Ruth Davies (13 Dec 2004)
Mr Archibald David Clyde Fisken (16 Dec 2002)
Mrs Mary Thelma Akers (16 Dec 2002)
Dr Edward Wong (17 May 1999)
Mr Derek Woolley (14 May 1999)
Mr L.A. (Peter) Fryar (14 May 1999)
Mr Alan Webb (24 Apr 1997)
Mr Patrick Hope (24 Apr 1997)
Mr Robert Hook AM (24 Apr 1997)
Associate Professor Trevor Hastings (24 Apr 1997)
Professor John Sharpham (23 Apr 1997)
Mr William Pryor AO (23 Apr 1997)
Mr Edward John (Jack) Barker OAM (23 Apr 1997)
Mr Robert Morrell (22 Apr 1997)
Dr Frank Hurley (22 Apr 1997)