A gravitational wave physicist, former State Treasurer, leading diabetes researcher and glaucoma specialist are among 33 alumni, staff and former staff from The University of Western Australia recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours list.

Emeritus Professor David Blair, BSc '68, was recognised with an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to physics, precision measurement science, gravitational wave research and  scientific education.

Professor Blair was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2020 for his contribution to the first detection of gravitational waves.

The groundbreaking 2015 discovery, which detected gravitational-wave signals from the collision of two substantial black holes 1.3 billion years ago, involved collaborators from around the world and had been more than 100 years in the making.

The Honourable Benjamin Wyatt, LLB '97, was recognised with an AO for distinguished service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, the Indigenous community, corporate governance, and the not-for-profit sector.

A Yamatji and Noongar man, Mr Wyatt was a senior public servant, head of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and a fierce campaigner for Indigenous rights.

He served as the member for Victoria Park from 2006 to 2021, and the first Indigenous person appointed Treasurer in any Australian State government.

Professor Timothy Davis, BMedSc '76, MBBS '78, was recognised with an AO for distinguished service to medicine as a consultant physician, to clinical research into diabetes and infectious diseases and to tertiary education.

A consultant endocrinologist and physician at Fremantle Hospital, Professor Davis has dedicated more than 40 years to diabetes research, and was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Diabetes Society in 2021.

His expertise has informed Federal and State Government advisory committees and he remains actively engaged with leading advocacy groups in diabetes care.

Professor Bill Morgan, MBBS '84, PhD '00, was recognised with an AO for distinguished service to ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmic physiology,  space medicine and health, and  tertiary education.

Professor Morgan served as managing director of the Lions Eye Institute (2019-2024) and is a Principal Research Fellow with UWA Medical School, consultant ophthalmologist at Royal Perth Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital and Chair of the International Space Centre, Space Medicine node.

He is an inventor on several patents including glaucoma surgical devices and teaches extensively in Indonesia and Australia.

Professor Terence Jeyaretnam, BE '94, was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to social justice, and environmental conservation and sustainability.

Mr Anthony Beech, BEc '74, LLB '99, received an AM for significant service to industrial relations and the community of WA.

The Honourable Christopher Ellison, BJuris '77, LLB '78, was recognised with an AM for significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, tertiary education administration and business.

WA’s Deputy Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Woods, BJuris '82, LLB '83, received an AM for significant service to the law, people with disability and basketball administration.

Professor John Olynyk, BMedSc '82, MBBS '85, was recognised with an AM for significant service to the health sciences, and gastroenterology and hepatology.

Professor Ryan Lister, BSc '01, PhD '05, received an AM for significant service to biochemistry, genetic science, and neuroscience.

Image: Emerita Professor Carolyn Oldham.

Emerita Professor Carolyn Oldham, BSc '85, PhD '94, was recognised with an AM for significant service to tertiary education, and environmental and water science.

Professor Mariapia Degli-Esposti, BSc '87, PhD '92, received an AM for significant service to immunology,  microbiology, and clinical research and education.

Mr Mark Irwin, BSc '94, was recognised with an AM for significant service to local government, surf lifesaving and the community.

Mr Tim Ungar, 2023 Chancellor's Medal recipient, received an AM for significant service to business, the arts and cultural sectors and philanthropy. Mr Ungar was inaugural Chair of the Perth Festival and served as a Board member for eight years.

Emeritus Professor Trevor Redgrave, MBBS '63, PhD '67, MD '86, received an AM for significant service to physiology and molecular biology research and tertiary education.

Dr David Joske, MBBS '83, was recognised with an AM for significant service to haematology and  pioneering the use of integrative oncology.

Mr Ian Hill, MIR '84, received an AM for significant service to public administration in WA and vocational education.

Mr Ian Hannah, MIR '84, was recognised with an AM for significant service to golf administration, surf lifesaving and community sports.

Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott received an AM for significant service to soil sciences, primary industry and agricultural management and the community.

Image: Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott.

Emeritus Professor Mark Bush was recognised with an AM for significant service to engineering, tertiary education and the community.

Emeritus Professor Colin MacLeod received an AM for significant service to clinical psychology and advancing research into emotions.

Emeritus Professor Stephen Zubrick was recognised with an AM for significant service to medical science and research, particularly in children's and youth development.

The Honourable Rene Le Miere KC, BEc '72, BJuris '77, LLB '78, received an AM for significant service to the judiciary, the law and the arts.

Mrs Margaret Freeman, BA '60, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the church.

Mr Saurabh Mishra, BCom, BE '96, was recognised with an OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Mrs Karen Field, BEc '71, received an OAM for service to charitable organisations and the mining sector.

Former Deputy State Coroner Ms Evelyn Vicker, BJuris '83, LLB '84, was recognised with an OAM for service to the law.

Dr Constantine Berbatis, BSc '71, received an OAM for service to the community of Perth.

Mr Philip Patterson, BSc '75, was recognised with an OAM for service to primary industry.

The late Mr Ronald Glencross, BSc(Agric) '59, received an OAM for service to environmental conservation.

Dr William McAuliffe, MBBS '86, was recognised with an OAM for service to interventional neuroradiology.

Dr Sean Stevens, MBBS '94, received an OAM for service to general practice medicine.

Mr Bradford Archer, BEc '91, received a Public Service Medal for service to the Climate Change Authority.

Image top: Professor Timothy Davis, Professor David Blair, Ben Wyatt and Professor Bill Morgan.