Outstanding individuals recognised with Australia Day honours

Three individuals who have a close association with USQ have been congratulated by University Chancellor Bobbie Brazil for being honoured in the 2009 Australia Day Awards.

USQ Council member Greg Claydon received an Australia Day Public Service medal for his water reform achievements, Professor Jim Taylor was awarded a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his service to tertiary education, while Harry Spencer was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to basketball and the community of Toowoomba.

Mrs Brazil said that not only had the three award recipients contributed much to USQ but they had also been instrumental in developing wider community initiatives.

'All three are to be congratulated for their meritorious service to the University and to the wider community,' Mrs Brazil said.

'To have three people from USQ honoured in this way on Australia Day is a great reflection on the calibre of people that we have working at the University and the important contributions that they have made to their communities.'

A member of the USQ council since 2008, Mr Claydon, who is also the Executive Director of Strategic Water Initiatives in the Department of Natural Resources and Water, has had a significant influence in ensuring a sustainable water future for Queensland since entering the public service in 1974.

'Greg was one of only 11 people to be honoured with a Public Service Medal, which is proof of his dedication to the conservation of water in this state," Mrs Brazil said.

'As a graduate of USQ in Agricultural Engineering Greg has led many of the land, water and vegetation management programs in South West Queensland in his role with the Department of Natural Resources. As well he has freely given his time towards the governance of USQ as a Council member.'

Meanwhile USQ Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Jim Taylor's honour was the result of almost three decades working in distance education at the University.

Through Professor Taylor's expertise the number of distance education students has grown from 400 just 30 years ago to more than 19,000 in 2009. His work in the area of flexible delivery of education has seen him develop a number of international programs that have received world wide recognition for their innovative and ground breaking use of new technologies.

A dedicated basketball coach for close to 45 years, Harry Spencer's OAM recognised his contributions to the sport on a local, state and national level.

Mrs Brazil added that his commitment beyond sport to the Toowoomba community through Rotary and events such as the Science and Engineering Challenge held at USQ had meant that the award was particularly well deserved.

'Through their work both on and off campus both Jim and Harry have been terrific ambassadors for the University and it is important that these two great contributors have been recognised.'