Five engineers were yesterday named Officers in the Order of Australia (AO), the second highest category in the Australian honours list.
Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky was recognised for distinguished services to defence science and technology, engineering systems and education as an academic and researcher. He said he was both surprised and humbled to receive this award.
"I feel it also belongs to my colleagues and co-workers," he said. "I could not have achieved anything without the efforts of the hundreds of brilliant scientists and engineers that I have had the privilege of working with over the last 20 years."
He was formerly a Professor of Systems Engineering at the Australian National University and co-founder of Seeing Machines Limited, which provides intelligent face and eye tracking technology. He has been Chief Defence Scientist since 2012 and received Engineers Australia's Mike Sargent Medal in 2015.
Dr Brian Richards from Adelaide received his AO for distinguished service to geotechnical engineering and soil science, particularly through research and development of measuring and understanding soil suction and its effect on soil strength. He spent 37 years working in this field for the CSIRO, including as Chief Research Scientist, and is currently an independent consultant.
Mechanical engineer Glenn Keys was awarded the AO for distinguished service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory through contributions to disability support programs, and to business and commerce as an advocate for corporate social responsibility.
He was co-founder of the Aspen Medical Centre and its managing director until 2015. He was named the ACT Australian of the Year in 2015 and was joint winner of the Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016.
Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, Andrew Fletcher received his AO for distinguished service to business, particularly to the development of defence related industries in South Australia, through senior roles with maritime facility and major infrastructure projects, and to engineering. Fletcher was formerly the CEO of Defence SA and in 2009 was named Professional Engineer of the Year by the South Australian Branch of Engineers Australia.
Emeritus Professor Graeme Bird was named an AO for distinguished service to aeronautical engineering, particularly in the field of molecular gas dynamics, as a researcher and academic, to professional scientific organisations, and as a mentor of young scientists. He was a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at Sydney University for 26 years, including as head of department.
[Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky prepares to board HMAS Sheean, a Collins class submarine. Photo: Defence/Damian Pawlenko]