Charles Sturt University staff and alumni have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

The King’s Birthday Honours, formerly called the Queen’s Birthday Honours, is an annual list of awards given in Australia to people who have made exceptional contributions to the nation or their communities.

Charles Sturt’s staff and alumni were recognised for outstanding contributions across education, emergency services, community leadership, research and public service.

Charles Sturt University staff who received Honours were:

• Dr Jonathan Leigh Howard – Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to tertiary education, conservation, and sustainability. Dr Howard (pictured) is a respected academic and environmental leader whose work spans teaching, research and community engagement. His contributions include leadership in sustainability education at Charles Sturt, long-standing involvement in conservation organisations and advisory committees, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship at both regional and national levels.Dr Howard is also an alumni of the University.

• Ms Margaret Rae Gleeson – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the arts. Ms Gleeson has made a sustained contribution to arts education and regional cultural development. Her work includes leadership roles in theatre and music initiatives, as well as teaching contributions at Charles Sturt that have supported the next generation of educators and creative practitioners.Ms Gleeson is also an alumna of the University.

Charles Sturt University alumni who received Honours were:

Member of the Order of Australia (AM):

• Ms Lisa Annese for significant service to business and to the community, including leadership within the information technology sector.

• Dr Patricia Lorraine Hamilton for significant service to community health and medical practice.

• Mr Gary Ronald Worboys for significant service to the community through emergency response and public safety leadership.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):

• Mr Paul James Lemmon for service to surf lifesaving, including coaching, mentoring and contribution to community sport.

Australian Fire Service Medal:

• Assistant Commissioner Victoria Anne Campbell for distinguished service to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service through sustained operational leadership and specialist expertise in aviation operations and emergency management.

• Mr Justin Shane Francis for distinguished service to the Queensland Fire Department, particularly in enhancing high-rise firefighting capability, firefighter safety and community protection.

• Mr Jason Ross Heffernan for distinguished service to fire and emergency management leadership, including operational command, organisational reform and strengthening community resilience.

• Mr Aaron Robert Kennedy for distinguished service to emergency management and bushfire response, including leadership in major incidents and advancing firefighter safety and operational capability.

• Mr Michael Arthur Kovacs for distinguished service to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service through leadership, training and mentoring, and sustained community engagement.

Australian Police Medal:

• Detective Sergeant Lorenda Jayne Barber for distinguished service to policing, particularly in child protection investigations and advocacy for vulnerable members of the community.

• Superintendent Darren William Brand for distinguished service to policing, including leadership in rural communities and initiatives to address domestic violence.

• Chief Superintendent Marcus Edward Hill for distinguished service to policing through operational leadership, reform initiatives and strengthening emergency and disaster response capabilities.

• Detective Superintendent Adam Paul Johnson for distinguished service to policing, including leadership in complex investigations and maintaining strong community relationships during critical incidents.

• Chief Inspector Paul Edwin Martin for distinguished service to policing, including frontline operational leadership, mentoring and community engagement.

• Detective Inspector Nigel Keith Warren for distinguished service to policing, particularly leadership in homicide investigations and the management of unsolved cases.

• Commander Mary Jane Welsh for distinguished service to policing through leadership in cybercrime, organisational reform and strengthening investigative capability.

Conspicuous Service Cross (Defence Honour):

• Lieutenant Colonel Haydn William Barlow for outstanding devotion to duty in the Australian Defence Force through leadership and delivery of complex operational outcomes.

• Lieutenant Colonel Timothy James Dawe for meritorious achievement in the Australian Defence Force through sustained leadership and operational capability.

Emergency Services Medal:

• Mr David William Rope for distinguished service to emergency management and community safety.

Public Service Medal:

• Mr Nigel John Greenup for outstanding public service through leadership and reform across local government and community engagement.