ANU Arts alumnus David Morrison is 2016 Australian Of The Year

An Australian National University Bachelor of Arts alumnus has won the country’s highest civilian honour – the Australian of the Year award.

Lieutenant General (Retired) David Morrison AO, who studied at the ANU in the 1970s and later became Chief of the Australian Army, was honoured for his commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

Joining him on the honours ranks was Distinguished Research Fellow in the ANU Centre for European Studies, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), and four College alumni.

“We are delighted by the success of our Arts alumni including David Morrison, and Distinguished Research Fellow, Dr Brendan Nelson,” College of Arts and Social Sciences Dean, Professor Paul Pickering, said.

“The fact that Lieutenant General Morrison has enjoyed a distinguished career in the army is a reminder of the way that an Arts degree can open up a range of opportunities and life experiences in the future.

“Moreover, his commitment to gender equity and inclusion is an example of how Arts graduates are provided with the tools to help them shape the sort of society we want to live in.  

“On behalf of the College, I congratulate Lt. Gen (Ret’d) Morrison and Dr Nelson for their awards.”

Morrison graduated from ANU in 1979, immediately joined the army and graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. He served in the Army for 36 years and held senior positions including Australian Instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, United Kingdom in 1987-88 and Colonel Operations, Headquarters International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999.

Morrison was Commander, Australian Defence College in 2006 and Chief of Army between 2011 and 2015. His awards include Commander of the Legion of Merit (USA), Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) and Officer of the Legion of Honour (France).

He is a board member of Our Watch, which works to end violence against women and children, has since 2013 been a member of the Male Champions of Change which advocates for gender equality and in 2015 became Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia.

Speaking after receiving the Australia Day honour, Morrison said too many Australians were denied the chance to reach their full potential because of their gender, the god they believe in, their racial heritage, “because they’re not able-bodied, because of their sexual orientation.”

Australians have to help such people achieve their goals, “because when they do, we all benefit and that’s what true diversity is all about and…why I am so honoured to be chosen as your Australian of the year,” Morrison added.

Medicine graduate, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson AO, was honoured for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, the community, advancement of Australia’s international relations and major cultural institutions.

He has been a Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies since April 2013 in an honorary role that provides a chance for distinguished people outside the University to participate in its education, research and policy engagement.

Director of the Australian War Memorial since 2012, Nelson was Australian Ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union (2009-2012.)

Dr Nelson was the youngest president of the Australian Medical Association when elected in 1993. He was a Member of Parliament between 1996 and 2009, including Minister for Education, Science and Training (2001-2006), Minister for Defence (2006-2007) and Federal Opposition Leader of the Liberals (2007-2008).

Alumnus David Gallop (B Arts/B Law 1996) was awarded a Member of the Order if Australia (AM) for his services to sport administration thorugh executive roles with football and rugby league organisations. 

Veronique Ingram (B Arts 1979) received the Public Service Medal (PSM) for public service to the financial sector in the areas of public policy, administrative initiatives and service delivery. 

The Honourable Justice John Pascoe AO CVO (B Arts 1969) was appointed a Companion in the Otder of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the law and to the judiciary, through support for improved access to the justice system for Indigenous peoples, to legal administration and higher education, and as an advocate for the prevention of international trafficking of children.

Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Rashmi Sharma (GradCert HE 2005) received a Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to medicine, and to professional organisations.