QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil congratulated the 2026 QUT honourees and said the strength of higher education had emerged as a defining theme of this year’s awards.
“I congratulate all those recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List, including our QUT colleagues and alumni,” Professor Sheil said.
“Their achievements reflect the values of curiosity, innovation, excellence and service that underpin higher education and its contribution to Australian society.
“The prominence of tertiary education among this year’s honours highlights the important role we play in building the nation’s future and the value of our academic community.”
A total of 703 Australians have been recognised in the General Division of the Order of Australia, including five appointed as Companions (AC), 40 as Officers (AO), 183 as Members (AM), and 475 who have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Among the QUT honourees are:
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 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;
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;
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.
While most states celebrate the King’s birthday in June, Queensland will observe a state-wide public holiday for the celebration in October.
QUT Media:
07 3138 2361, media@qut.edu.au
