Royal honours for University community

The exceptional work of more than 20 staff, alumni, and affiliates from the University of Adelaide’s community has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours.

Students at the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus

Nobel Prize winning author Professor John Maxwell (J. M.) Coetzee and forensic science expert Emeritus Professor Roger Byard have both received a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for their leading work in their respective fields.

“I congratulate all members from the University of Adelaide community – alumni, staff, former staff, affiliates, and friends – who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide.

“People named in today’s honours continue to make history as leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour, such as medicine, science, the arts, and architecture.

“They are an inspiration for us all and show how dedication, hard work and striving for excellence can benefit our society.”

Notable King’s Birthday Honours recipients from the University’s community include:

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

Professor John Maxwell (J. M.) Coetzee AC – For eminent service to the arts, particularly literature, to literary studies, to tertiary education, and to animal welfare.

Literary critic, translator and one of the most lauded living writers, Professor Coetzee joined the University of Adelaide as a Professor of Literature in 2002. He was the first author to be awarded the Booker Prize twice, for Life & Times of Michael K (1983) and for Disgrace (1999), and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003. In 2015, he became the patron of the University’s J.M. Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice, which brings together arts practitioners and researchers in English, the performing arts and the visual arts. The Centre seeks to foster creative practice at the University, offering opportunities for artistic collaboration and research-based practice. Professor Coetzee’s latest work, The Pole and Other Stories, was published in 2023. He has received 13 Honorary Doctorates from institutions across the world, and became a Patron of animal welfare organisation Voiceless in 2004.

Emeritus Professor Roger Byard AC PSM – For eminent service to medicine, to forensic pathology, to tertiary education as an academic and researcher, and to the community.

Emeritus Professor Byard was George Richard Marks Chair of Pathology at the University of Adelaide from 2006 to 2023 and is now an Emeritus Professor and a Senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist at Forensic Science SA. He has written more than 1000 peer-reviewed medical papers, 151 book chapters and 11 textbooks, and in 2009 was registered as an expert in his field with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Emeritus Professor Byard is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom, College of American Pathologists, National Association of Medical Examiners in the United States, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Society of New South Wales and Faculty of Postmortem Imaging of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. He was also the Founder and Emeritus Member of national SIDS prevention charity Red Nose’s National Scientific Advisory Group in 2004.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Ms Greta Bradman AM – For significant service to the performing arts in a range of roles, and to psychology.

Ms Bradman is an alum of the University, graduating from the Elder Conservatorium of Music with distinction before completing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. An international, award-winning artist, radio presenter and board member, Ms Bradman has advocated and interpreted many new works, including those of her fellow Conservatorium alumni.

Professor George Zillante AM – For significant service to architectural tertiary education, and to construction and building surveying.

Professor Zillante has more than 30 years' experience in the fields of architecture, urban and regional planning, building surveying, business administration and construction, contributing to the community through teaching, research and government advisory roles. He joined the University as Head, School of Architecture and Built Environment in 2012 until 2019, and still holds a role as a member of the school’s Industry Advisory Board. Prior to joining the University, he held the role of Associate Professor and Head of Construction and Project Management at the University of South Australia from 1999 to 2012. Professor Zillante’s expertise has been used across state and international business boards.

Dr Peter Rischbieth AM – For significant service to rural health as a medical practitioner.

Dr Rischbieth served the community of Murray Bridge as a general practitioner from 1987 to 2024. He is a Clinical Lecturer with the University, and has advocated for change through leadership with the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.

Mrs Lusia Guthrie AM – For significant service to the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.

Mrs Guthrie completed a Master of Science – Science and Technology Commercialisation at the University and has held positions within leading medical technology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as working at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital as a scientist. Mrs Guthrie is currently the Chair of Innovation and Commercial Partners, and is an Advisory Board Member of the University’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Emeritus Professor John Carver OAM For service to science in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry.

Emeritus Professor Carver is an alum of the University and became a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry in 1986. He held a number of positions within the University, including Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences (2008-2009), Head of the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science and School of Chemistry and Physics, and served as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Chemistry and Physics in 2013 to 2015.

Mrs Carolyn Grantskalns OAM – For service to the education sector.

A University alum, Mrs Grantskalns has worked within the education space for more than 30 years. She served as Principal of Wilderness School from 1990 to 2005, and has also held leadership positions at national and state independent school organisations. Mrs Grantskalns also served as a Board Member for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and is the Presiding Member of the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia.

Public Service Medal (PSM)

Dr Lawrence Palmer PSM – For outstanding public service in palliative medicine.

Dr Palmer was appointed as the Director of Palliative Care at Modbury Hospital in 2012, and became the head of the Specialist Palliative Care Unit when the service amalgamated with the Lyell McEwin Palliative Care Services in 2012.  He works to ensure people and families facing the inevitability of death are supported to be as safe and comfortable as they can be. Dr Palmer has also partnered with the University to teach students on placement through lectures, and he educates interns and trainees in his unit, fostering a strong culture of learning and growth.

The full list of members of the University of Adelaide community in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours is available on the University website.

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