WA's first female maths professor receives highest Australia Day honours

The University of Western Australia’s Professor Cheryl Praeger has been recognised with the highest honour in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List – one of just four people Australia-wide to be awarded a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

WA’s first female mathematics professor, Professor Praeger was acknowledged for her eminent service to mathematics; to tertiary education; to international organisations; as a leading academic and researcher and as a champion of women in STEM careers.

She joins five UWA staff members and 11 graduates who were recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma commended the Australia Day Honours recipients.

"Recipients from UWA recognised in this year’s Honours are inspiring leaders who have made a tremendous difference in their fields, ranging from research breakthroughs to advancements in education and making a difference in the community,” Professor Chakma said.

"To be recognised in the prestigious Honours List is testament to their remarkable work and we are very proud of their achievements.”

A full list of UWA graduate and staff recipients in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List is below:

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

For distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large. 

• UWA Professor Peter Leedman (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) DSc '89
• UWA Adjunct Professor Kenneth Fitch (Faculty of Science) MD '75, DSc '07
• UWA Professor the Hon. Trevor Riley (UWA graduate) LLB '70
• Emeritus Professor Mark Randolph (UWA Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems)
• Former Adjunct Professor the late Brian O’Brien (Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences)

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

For service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group. 

• UWA Professor Jan Dickinson (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences)
• Ms Fiona Harris (UWA Graduate) BCom '81
• Mr Gerald King (UWA Graduate) LLB '63
• Dr George Lefroy (UWA Graduate) BE '63, MEngSc '65
• Mrs Frances Lefroy (UWA Graduate) BA '64
• Emeritus Professor John Melville-Jones (UWA Graduate) BA '57, PhD '63

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For service worthy of particular recognition. 

• Dr Robert Braham (UWA Graduate) BMusEd '83, BA '88, PhD '98
• Mrs Wanda Horky (UWA Graduate) BA '72, GradDipEd '73
• Mr Roy Kelley (UWA Graduate) BA '78, MEdMan '99
• Dr David Nelson (UWA Graduate) MBBS '69
• Adjunct Associate Professor John Barrett-Lennard (Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education)
• Associate Professor Richard Loh (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences)