2023 Australia Day Honours: Eight ANZSOG alumni recognised for service

Nine ANZSOG alumni including Board member Sharyn O’Neill, have been recognised for the quality of the work in the public sector, as well as the contributions they have made to the community, in the 2023 Australia Day Honours. 

ANZSOG Dean and CEO Adam Fennessy PSM congratulated all those who received awards, saying that the Australia Day Honours were a chance to recognise the varied and often-overlooked work of public servants in developing and implementing policies that raised the quality of life of all Australians. 

Three alumni were awarded Honours in the order of Australia, and five were awarded Public Service Medals which recognise outstanding career service in a state or federal public service. Only 100 PSMS are awarded each year. 

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 

• Glenys Beauchamp – Executive Fellows Program 2003 – Former Federal Secretary of Health (2017-2020), the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (2013-2017), and Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport (2010-2013), was awarded the AO for her distinguished service to public administration, particularly innovative health reform, industry and science policy, and program delivery. She was also previously president of IPAA ACT. 

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 

• Susan Hunt – Executive Fellows Program 2007 – World Association of Zoos and Aquariums president and former member of the WA Public Sector Commission’s centre for public sector excellence, was awarded the AM for her significant service to animal welfare, and to public administration. She also served as the CEO of Lotterywest and Healthway from 2019-2021. 
• Professor Bruce Thompson – Executive Fellows Program 2006 – University of Melbourne’s Professor Bruce Thompson, a former NHMRC peer reviewer, and member of the Assigners Academy as well as the Grant Review Panel, was awarded the AM for his significant service to respiratory medicine, and to tertiary medical education. 

Public Service Medals 

• Janice Lim – Executive Master of Public Administration 2013 – (Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria) Awarded for outstanding public service in policy and program delivery, particularly in the areas of family violence, housing, and youth justice. She has led the development of landmark legislation across the areas of family violence, housing and youth justice for the past 18 years. 
• Sharyn O’Neill – ANZSOG Board Member – Awarded for outstanding public service through leadership and management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms Sharyn O’Neill’s stewardship of the public sector and support to the Premier during the pandemic has fundamentally shaped and driven the Western Australian Government’s response. Appointed State Recovery Controller, she developed the WA Impact Statement and WA Recovery Plan, providing high-level direction for the State’s priorities. 
• Simon Phemister – Executive Master of Public Administration 2004 – (Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victoria) Awarded for outstanding public service through policy and program delivery, particularly within regions and agriculture. Mr Phemister led the Victorian response to bushfires, mobilising support for affected communities and developing initiatives to support the recovery of regional communities and agricultural industries. In recent years, he has been at the forefront of implementing the Victorian Government’s response to working with industries affected by COVID-19, developing initiatives that have saved businesses and found people jobs. 
• Catherine Weber – Executive Fellows Program 2010 – (Department of Treasury and Finance, Northern Territory) Awarded for outstanding public service to the Northern Territory Public Sector. Ms Catherine Weber has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Northern Territory over 40 years, in a range of challenging roles and environments in the Department of Education, Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture and as Deputy Under Treasurer, Finance and Corporate. Throughout her career she has regularly been called upon to lead structural review processes and has been integral in a number of key policy initiatives, with the primary objectives of improving social and economic outcomes for Territorians. 
• Emily Roper – Deputies Leadership Program 2019 – (Department of Premier and Cabinet, WA) Awarded for outstanding public service through leadership and management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms Emily Roper’s stewardship of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet as Director General and formerly Deputy Director General during the pandemic has fundamentally shaped and supported the Western Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Deborah Efthymiades – Executive Fellows Program – (ACT Education Directorate) Awarded for outstanding public service to public education, in leading significant education system policy and reform for the ACT. Ms Efthymiades is recognised for her ability to provide exceptional leadership and commitment in exercising her role. She has led a number of education strategies for the ACT to guide all parts of the education system to support and deliver excellence and equity in educational outcomes for each and every child and young person, making sure early childhood education is high quality, accessible and affordable.