Western Australian-born High Court Justice James Edelman was one of only six Australians to be awarded the nation’s highest honour — the Companion of the Order of Australia — in this year’s Australia Day Honours.

Justice Edelman, a graduate of The University of Western Australia (LLB, BEc '95, LLB, BEc '97) and one of the youngest judges appointed to the High Court, was recognised for his eminent service to the law and the judiciary.

The award acknowledged his contribution to legal education and scholarship, as a mentor to academics and legal practitioners in Australia and internationally, and to the community.

There were 23 alumni, staff and former staff recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours for their contribution to the nation.

Three UWA graduates, including a staff member, were awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Retired marine scientist Dr Hugh Kirkman (PhD '84) received an AO for distinguished service to conservation and the protection, management and sustainability of seagrasses and marine ecosystems.

Professor Graeme Hankey (MBBS '81, MD '93), from UWA’s Medical School and the Perron Institute Chair in Stroke Research, was recognised with an AO for distinguished service to medicine as a neurologist and stroke physician, research, and as an editor and author.

WA’s first female attorney-general , the Honourable Cheryl Edwardes (BJuris '83, LLB '84, BA '88, LLM '98), received an AO for distinguished service to the law and social justice, resource management and environmental sustainability, business, and the community.

UWA staff or former staff members and graduates recognised in the Australia Day 2023 Honours List:

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Professor Samar Aoun, Perron Institute Research Chair in Palliative Care at UWA.

The Honourable John Day, BSc '78, BDSc '83.

Professor Stuart White, BSc '84.

Professor Emerita Leonie Rennie, BSc '65, GradDipEd '66, BEd '73, MEd '77, PhD '84.

Mr Peter Kennedy,  BA '65, GradDipEd '69.

Dr Karen Reid, EdD '13.

Professor Nina Tirnitz-Parker, PhD '08.

Emeritus Professor David Kennedy, from UWA’s School of Humanities.

The Honourable Kim Hames, MBBS '77.

Mr Michael Byrne, former member of UWA Senate.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Associate Professor Jill Duncan, MEdMan '92, PhD '97.

(The late) Dr Patrick Shanahan, BDSc '61.

Adjunct Professor Michael Ewing, BSc(Agric) '72, PhD '92.

Ms Sukhjit Khalsa, BA '15.

Miss Kendall Whyte, BSc '15, GradCertBus '19.

Associate Professor David Booth, BDSc '59, MDSc '70.

Ms Christabel Chamarette, BPsych '70, MPsych '75.

Ms Tanya Trevisan, BArch '88.

Public Service Medal

Mr Silvio Trinca, BE '82.