Wednesday, 7 February 2024

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (09:54): Today I rise to congratulate 28 constituents in Western Victoria who have been recognised for their outstanding service to our community in January’s Order of Australia awards. Foremost amongst them is the late emeritus professor William Hugh Sawyer of Point Lonsdale, who has posthumously been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant contribution to tertiary education and biochemistry. William instituted the early career researcher program at the University of Melbourne, where he had a personal chair and was the president of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the 1990s, moving on to become president of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists from 1999 to 2001. Innovative prime lamb producer Georgina Gubbins has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to the agricultural industry. Georgina’s service to the industry includes education and international food and fibre production, so congratulations, Georgina.