June 13, 2019

Queen acknowledges University alumni in honours list

Vice-Chancellor congratulates recipients

University of Wollongong alumni have been praised for their outstanding contribution to their respective professions and the wider community in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honour list.

The NSW Police Commander for the Homicide Squad, Councillor and Former Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council and a Royal Australian Navy Commanding Officer were among UOW alumni and eminent Australians honoured on Monday, 10 June.

“On behalf of UOW I congratulate all recipients of honours and awards in the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours,” UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE said.

“The University is very proud to be associated with many of these outstanding Australians, whether as leading researchers and faculty members, honorary doctorate recipients, fellows, guest lecturers, alumni, or as long-standing friends of the Institution.

“Their exceptional service to education and research, to their respective professions and to the wider community, as recognised by these Queens Birthday Honours, is appreciated and applauded by the University of Wollongong.”

Detective Superintendent Scott Cook: Australian Police Medal

Detective Superintendent Cook is an accomplished police commander who has provided dedicated service to the people of New South Wales for more than 31 years.

He graduated UOW with a Masters in Transnational Crime Prevention in 2012.

In 2015, he was appointed as the Commander of the Organised Crime Squad and in 2017 he transferred to his current role as the Commander, Homicide Squad.

At the Homicide Squad, he has enhanced the police force response to unsolved homicides and oversees highly sensitive and complex murder investigations.

As the Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, he was instrumental in the squad's formation and the establishment of the first dedicated money laundering unit designed to work in partnership with domestic and international law enforcement agencies to identify, prosecute and dismantle high level international crime syndicates. The success of the squad's investigations are directly attributed to his leadership.

Professor Barbara Pamphilon: Member (AM) of the Order of Australia

Professor Pamphilon was acknowledged for significant service to higher education, and to the community.

She attained her PhD in Education from UOW in 1997.

She has been the Chair of the Australian National Museum of Education since 2006 and the director of the Australian Institute for Sustainable Communities at the University of Canberra since 2005. She has also served community groups including Barnardos and ACT Council of Social Services as a research officer.

Royal Australian Navy Commander Viktor Pilicic: Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)

Commander Pilicic was honoured for outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Coonawarra and Senior Australian Defence Force Officer of Larrakeyah Defence Precinct.

At UOW he attained a Graduate Certificate in Maritime Studies in 2006 and a Masters of Maritime Studies in 2007.

In his career he has achieved outstanding results through his leadership to support patrol boats capability, crews and their families. His significant care of and a deep empathy with the crews have been exceptional and he is highly regarded for his support. He also achieved capability and lifestyle improvements in the joint Larrakeyah Defence Precinct

Kenneth Halstead: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mr Halstead was acknowledged for his service to local government and engineering.

He graduated from a Mechanical Engineering Honours degree at UOW in 1982 and went on to serve the community as Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council from 2010-2012 and 2016-2018. He now works as a Shire Councillor.

He worked as the Director of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia from 2000 to 2017, and was a senior lecturer at University of Technology, Sydney for more than 20 years.

Royal Australian Navy Commodore Darron Kavanagh: Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia

Commodore Kavanagh was honoured for exceptional performance of duty in the field of Navy Capability Management.

He graduated UOW with a graduate certificate in Maritime Studies in 2006.

Commodore Kavanagh has excelled in complex acquisition project roles where he implemented organisational change which will have significant, long term and positive benefits for Navy. He applied his exceptional intellect, initiative and drive in order to deliver policy documentation and guidance to new Navy capability projects. His lasting legacy will be robust Seaworthiness Management and Assurance Plans.

Richard Stone: Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia

Mr Stone was awarded for his service to veterans and their families.

The Vietnam War Veteran served with the Royal Australian Air Force from 1961 to 1984, and was a member of the Air Force Reserves from 1999 to 2005.

He graduated UOW with a Graduate Certificate of Management in 1995, and went on to co-found the Veterans Support Centre in Queanbeyan which has been running since 2001.

Mr Stone has served the community as the Vice President of the Queanbeyan RSL Sub Branch since 2002.

More UOW recipients

A UOW distinguished professor, two honorary doctorate recipients, a university fellow and a former faculty committee member were also honoured in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours List.