Building the nation’s future: universities dominate national awards

• Emeritus Professor Leo Carney, QUT Optometry and QUT alumnus, Doctor of Science. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to optometry and vision sciences through research and clinical practice, to academia, and to tertiary education; 

• Emeritus Professor Mark Wainwright AM, Former QUT Council member. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the tertiary education administration, to academic research, to Australia-China relations, and to governance roles; 

• Dr Michael Adams, QUT Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus, PhD Health. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Indigenous health and education; 

• Dr Bianca Beetson, QUT alumnus, Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) Hons, and 2025 QUT Outstanding Alumni Award winner (Community Impact). Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Indigenous art as an educator, curator and artist; 

• Professor Tracey Bunda, QUT alumnus, Bachelor of Education. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to tertiary education and research, and to the Indigenous community; 

• Debra Camden, QUT alumnus, Bachelor of Business (Communication). Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the public relations and strategic communications industry; 

• Dr Hope O’Chin, QUT alumnus, Bachelor of Education. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Indigenous community as an artist and educator; 

• Jason Steinberg, QUT alumnus, Bachelor of Business (Communication). Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Jewish community in Queensland, and to historical commemoration;  

• Dr Ray Weekes, QUT Honorary Doctorate and former Chair of the QUT Learning Potential Fund. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to business management and education; 

• Teresa Handicott, QUT Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus, LLB (Hons), former QUT Council member, and former Chair of the QUT Law Founders Committee. Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to business, and to corporate governance. 

The King's Birthday announcement follows news that QUT alumnus Alina Graham was honoured with a Queensland Day Award for her dedication to disaster recovery and fundraising over more than 35 years in South West Queensland. Ms Graham is a QUT Bachelor of Education (Secondary) graduate. She also has a Master in Health Science, Physical Education, HR and Adult Education. 

The full King’s Birthday Honours List is available on the Governor-General’s website. 

While most states celebrate the King’s birthday in June, Queensland will observe a state-wide public holiday for the celebration in October. 

This story will continue to be updated. If you know of anyone connected to QUT who has been recognised in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List, please let us know at alumni@qut.edu.au.

QUT Media:

07 3138 2361, media@qut.edu.au