Current and former Macquarie University staff, volunteers and alumni have been acknowledged on the annual honour roll for significant contributions to their respective fields.
“My warmest congratulations to those whose achievements and service have earned them a place among the King’s Birthday honourees this year,” says Professor Dowton. “These lists serve as a reminder of the crucial role our universities play, supporting education, research and innovation that has a real-world impact.”
Professor Nick Titov, from the School of Psychological Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to digital mental health and wellness, and to tertiary education.
Professor Titov is the founding executive director of Macquarie University’s digital mental health service, MindSpot, a revolutionary platform that provides free, confidential psychological care. More than 30,000 Australians register to use MindSpot each year, where they have access to professional support for conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, worry, panic, chronic pain, and distress due to chronic health conditions. The service addresses key barriers to mental health care, notably cost, social stigma and geographical isolation.
Professor Nick Titov, from the School of Psychological Sciences, has been honoured for his contribution to mental health and wellness.
Among his many professional roles, Professor Titov is an independent member of Lifeline Western Australia's Safety and Quality Advisory Committee; a board member of the International Society for Research into Internet Interventions; a scientific advisor with the Norwegian Centre for Mobile Mental Health; an Expert Advisory Group member of the Stay Strong Aboriginal and Islander Mental Health Initiative; and an Advisory Committee Member e-Mental Health in Practice.
Also awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Emeritus Professor Philip Newall was recognised for his significant service to audiology education and research, and to the community. He is a Professor Emeritus at Macquarie University, as well as an Honorary Adjunct Academic and Life Member at the NextSense Institute, located on campus.
Professor Philip Newall fitting a donated hearing aid to a young woman in Samoa. Image: Philip Newall
Professor Newall began his career in audiology in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom in 1971, working as a clinical audiologist in the Northern Regional Health Authority for nine years. He came to Australia in 1980 to run the postgraduate audiology program in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University until his retirement from the position in 2007.
Professor Newall has a long history with Macquarie University, dedicating decades to practicing, lecturing, advising, teaching, and research within our community.
He has also been a chief investigator for ~$3 million worth of research grants, including five from the National Health & Medical Research Council. These grants contributed to the establishment of the Hearing Cooperative Research Centre and the Hearing Hub at Macquarie University.
Since 2007, Professor Newall and his wife Cristy – also an audiologist – have visited Samoa 25 times to work on a voluntary basis testing deaf children and fitting donated hearing aids.
Macquarie University also celebrates Professor Gerald Blaise Fogarty, who was appointed a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Professor Fogarty has been a Senior Lecturer at the Macquarie University Hospital since 2010 and was also Visiting Medical Officer and radiation oncologist a from 2010 to 2021. He is recognised for his significant contribution to medical research and cancer care, and for shaping excellence in radiation oncology across Australia.
Professor Fogarty maintains a strong interest in clinical research and education, works at the forefront of new technologies in radiation therapy treatment, and aspires to establish level one evidence base for therapies in cancer, especially in skin cancer, to achieve the best possible treatment outcome for patients.
Macquarie University also congratulates members of its alumni community who were among those honoured:
- Mr Phillip Andrew Adams was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to broadcast media, to journalism, to the arts, to cultural leadership, and to the community. Mr Adams received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Macquarie University in 2014. He is a renowned weekly columnist with the Weekend Australia and former ABC Radio host of Late Night Live.
- Dr Skye McDonald was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for distinguished service to clinical neuropsychology, and to research into social cognition disorders after traumatic brain injury.
- Mrs Cheryl S Goh was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Indigenous community of Sydney, and to education.
- Mrs Karen E McKay was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to early childhood education.
- Mrs Roslyn E Philips was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable roles.
- Mr Mark D Porter was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for more than 41 years of service and contributions to Fire and Rescue NSW, fire safety standards, and the broader fire safety community.
- Ms Louise J Barnott-Clement was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding service to public education in NSW.
