Engineers recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Engineers from a diverse range of disciplines were among those recognised with Queen’s Birthday Honours this year, both for their professional work and for their contributions to the community.

Engineers Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans AM HonFIEAust CPEng, herself among the 2021 honourees, said the honours highlighted the importance of the engineering profession to Australia’s success, sustainability and safety. 

“I would like to congratulate the engineers for their contributions and achievements in an incredible range of areas,” she said.

“It is recognition of engineering’s importance to society, touching almost every facet of our everyday life, and demonstrates that engineers are community leaders.”

Officer of the Order of Australia

Engineers Australia Fellow and Chartered engineer Emeritus Professor James Williams FIEAust CPEng(Ret) was recognised with an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

The founding president of the Australian Materials Research Society, Williams was acknowledged for distinguished service to the physical sciences, to tertiary education, and to professional scientific organisations.

He was the Director of the Australian National University’s (ANU) Research School of Physics and Engineering from 2002 to 2012.

Member of the Order of Australia

One of three women in engineering appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) yesterday, Dr Evans was recognised for significant service to engineering, to standards, and to medical technology.

Electrical and mechanical engineer and leading academic Professor Emeritus Doreen Thomas FIEAust was recognised for significant service to tertiary engineering education and research, and to women.

A powerful advocate for women in STEM, Thomas was the University of Melbourne’s first female professor in engineering and helped create nine research fellowships to launch and accelerate the careers of female academics.

CEO of Fortescue Future Industries Julie Shuttleworth CompIEAust EngExec was also appointed an AM, for her significant service to the minerals and mining sector. 

With almost 30 years of experience in the mining industry in Australia, China and Tanzania, she is leading Fortescue’s aim to make green hydrogen the most globally traded seaborne energy commodity in the world. 

Professor Lawrence Cram FIEAust was appointed an AM for significant service to tertiary education, and to astronomy and astrophysics. His career spans research and teaching in engineering, mathematics, astronomy, physics and computing, as well as a period as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at ANU from 2004 to 2021.

The Hon. Mark Birrell was recognised for significant service to the infrastructure sector, and to business. A former Cabinet Minister in the Victorian parliament and, later, Chairman of Infrastructure Australia from 2014 to 2017, he was named a Companion of Engineers Australia in 2014.

Deputy Head of Curtin University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Tele Tan was recognised for significant service to information and communication technology, and to people on the autism spectrum. Director of the Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance, Tan uses assistive technologies and rehabilitation engineering to solve health and social challenges.

Aerospace engineer Air Commodore Damien Keddie was appointed an AM for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in combat aircraft acquisition and sustainment, and organisational capability development.

Warrant Officer Ricki Kiely was appointed an AM for exceptional service in combat aircraft sustainment, Defence Aviation Safety Regulations development and implementation, and maintenance management in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Warfare and Engineering Officer Commodore Timothy Brown RAN was recognised for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy, principally in leading submarine capability development. Brown completed a Bachelor of Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology in 1989 before entering the navy as a direct entry Marine Engineering Officer. He was the Marine Engineering Officer of the Oberon Class submarine HMAS Otway in 1993 before cross training as a Warfare Officer in 1994.

He has commanded the Collins Class submarine HMAS Sheean and the ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Arunta, as well as holding senior management positions in the Australian Defence Force.

Medal of the Order of Australia

Engineers were well-represented in the list for the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for everything from transport safety to service to the community.  

Appointees include:

• Commander Griffyd Eldridge RAN for meritorious service in the field of navy marine engineering.
• Director of Power Project Engineering Colin Frost EngExec for service to electrical engineering.
• Founder and Managing Director of Australian Consulting Engineers Dr Anthony Hasham FIEAust CPEng for service to business, and to the Australian-Lebanese community.
• Civil engineer Phillip Isaacs FIEAust CPEng for service to the community through a range of roles.
• Retired mechanical engineer Nevil Knell for service to the community through social welfare organisations. A Baptist church deacon, he spent 28 years as a volunteer visiting prisoners in every male prison in Victoria.  
• John Leddy FIEAust CPEng(Ret) for service to the community, and to engineering.
• Marko (Peter) Martinovich FIEAust CPEng for service to public administration.
• Dr Anthony Marxsen FIEAust CPEng(Ret) for service to engineering. He has been Chairman of Monash University’s Faculty of Engineering Grid Innovation Hub since 2019 and Chairman of IND Technology since 2016.
• Former Chairman of ExxonMobil Australia Richard Owen FIEAust CPEng for service to business. 
• Ray Rice FIEAust CPEng who was posthumously recognised for service to bicycling.
• Engistics founding Managing Director and Principal Engineer Michael Robertson FIEAust CPEng for service to the community as a foster carer, and to transport safety.
• Former Chair of the Australian-International Model Solar Challenge Robert Wellington for service to science education.

Conspicuous Service Cross

The Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) is awarded for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-warlike situations.

Group Captain Edwin Jamie Boyd MIEAust CPEng received a CSC for outstanding achievement in organisational reform and aviation training capability sustainment for the Australian Defence Force.

His leadership of the Air Training and Aviation Commons Systems Program Office has produced a range of superb outcomes, and his knowledge of airworthiness, engineering, logistics and commercial acumen has ensured the maintenance of an ageing fleet.

Aerospace engineer Wing Commander Timothy Cantrill FIEAust CPEng received a CSC for outstanding achievement in military aircraft type certification as Engineering Manager of Project Air 8000 Phase 2 acquiring the C 27J Spartan transport aircraft.

A Chartered engineer, his career in the Royal Australian Air Force has spanned 24 years, during which time he has displayed leadership, diplomacy and innovative problem solving.

Flight Lieutenant Aaron Hardman received a CSC for outstanding achievement in aerospace engineering, project management, and electronic warfare capability development for the Australian Defence Force. 

Squadron Leader Steven Brady MIEAust CPEng was acknowledged for outstanding achievement in establishing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission data development capability for the Australian Defence Force. 

An accomplished engineer, he was instrumental in establishing the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter Australia Canada United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory and developing mission data for the Australian and United Kingdom F-35 aircraft fleets. 

Conspicuous Service Medal

Two engineers were also recognised with the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for their work in the Australian Army.

Major Michael Sipple MIEAust CPEng for meritorious achievement as Officer Commanding and Senior Project Engineer at 19th Chief Engineer Works.

Leading Seaman Brendan Robinson for meritorious achievement in the field of Signals Intelligence engineering support. 

Public Service Medal

Gregg Buyers received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to infrastructure projects in Queensland. Starting as a graduate engineer with Brisbane City Council in 1991, Buyers has played a leading role in the successful delivery of some of the city’s most iconic infrastructure projects.

Jason Elderhurst was given a PSM for outstanding public service to building services in New South Wales. As a Senior Manager at the NSW Public Works Advisory, Elderhurst made a significant impact to the NSW Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping NSW school students return to school in May 2020.

View the full 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List here.

Have we missed someone? Comment below or send us an email to let us know who should be added to the list.