Honorary awards

The University formally and publicly recognises outstanding contributions or achievements in the following four categories:

Honorary Doctorate

Recognises and celebrates eminent achievement at the highest levels, with the following criteria:

  • exceptional service to the University, usually over a sustained period of time, and/or
  • distinguished contribution to a relevant discipline or branch of learning, and/or
  • exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.

View the list below of Honorary Doctorate recipients.

Fellows of the University

Recognises the contribution of individuals to the University and to the community, with the following criteria:

  • has served as an exemplar to staff and students of the University through demonstrating leadership and initiative or distinction in a field of endeavour, and/or
  • has rendered sustained and distinguished service to the University and/or
  • has a professional standing within the community.

View the list below of Fellows of the University recipients.

Emeritus Professor

Recognises retiring and (in exceptional circumstances) resigning Professors who have made a distinguishing contribution and given outstanding service to the University over a number of years.

View the list below of Emeritus Professor recipients.

Distinguished Professor

A new Honorary title launched in 2024, recognises Federation University Professors who have attained international distinction for their exceptional and continuous contributions to researchscholarship, and/or engagement and innovation.

View the list below of Distinguished Professor recipients.

Honorary Doctorates

Name Date Awarded
Dr Peter Jopling AM KC21 March 2024
Dr Peter Wilson29 March 2023
Dr Meredith Doig22 March 2023
Dr Paul J H Hemming AO19 October 2022
Dr Geoff Raby AO14 February 2022
Dr Steve Davies7 July 2021
Dr Michael Ryan6 July 2021
Dr  George Joseph Fong Wah1 April 2021
Dr Robert Chong AM5 December 2018
Dr Colin Prowse OAM6 December 2017
Emeritus Professor David Battersby AM 7 December 2016
Professor Liu Hongyi 1 November 2016
Dr Aunty Eileen Harrison 19 May 2016
Dr Elizabeth Lewis-Gray 12 May 2016
Dr Lynne McLennan 9 May 2016
Dr Shesh Ghale 9 December 2015
Dr Peter Hall 7 May 2015
Dr Donald Johns OAM 29 May 2014
Dr Rex Hollioake, MBE OAM FIE Aust 12 May 2014
Dr Rowena Coutts 9 May 2014
Dr Greg Smith 3 May 2013
Aunty Laura Bell 6 May 2013
Dr Judy Verlin AM 7 May 2013
Dr Doug Sarah OAM  7 May 2013
Emeritus Professor Robert H T Smith13 December 2012
Dr Andre Agterhuis2 May 2012
Dr Peter Manders 1 May 2012
Dr Heather Ridout 9 May 2011
Dr Jeremy Johnson 9 May 2011
Dr Roger Donaldson 4 May 2011
Dr Wai-man Woo 3 May 2010
Dr Christine Nixon APM 10 Dec 2009
Hon John Dawkins AO 4 May 2009
Sister Rita Hayes RSM 6 May 2008
Dr John Hurley 5 May 2008
The Hon Stephen Phillip Bracks 12 Dec 2007
Dr John Edward Harvey AO 12 Dec 2007
Dr Janet Holmes a Court, AC 9 May 2007
Professor Emeritus Kwong Lee Dow AM 7 May 2007
Dr Margaret McIver 4 May 2007
Hon Richard de Fegely 18 Dec 2006
Emeritus Professor Kerry O Cox 10 May 2006
Dr Ian Gordon 10 May 2006
Dr Daryl Jackson 5 May 2006
Dr John Robert Magrath 10 May 2005
Dr Edward John (Jack) Barker OAM 13 Dec 2004
Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw 13 Dec 2004
Dr Fiona Caro 12 May 2004
Professor Emeritus David Caro AO OBE 10 May 2004
Dr Alan Kenneth Webb OAM 13 May 2003
Dr Ewan Charles Jones 10 May 2002
Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Blainey AC 9 May 2002
Dr David Henry Haymes 7 May 2002
Dr Cathy Freeman OAM 17 Dec 2001
Dr Steven Moneghetti 3 May 2001
Dr William Pryor AO 1 May 2001
Dr Mary Atkinson 19 May 2000
Emeritus Professor David James AO 19 Dec 2000
Hon Jeffrey Kennett AC 18 May 2000
Sir Edward Woodward OBE 6 May 1998
Professor Emeritus David Penington AC 23 Apr 1997
Professor Emeritus Tom O'Donnell 22 Apr 1997

Fellows of the University

Name Date Awarded
Mr Malcolm Vallance 8 Dec 2016
Dr Kennece Coombe 7 Dec 2016
Mr Wai-man Woo 29 Oct 2006
Mr William Hamish McGregor 10 May 2005
Mr John Douglas McClure 10 May 2005
Mr Colin Richard Prowse OAM 13 Dec 2004
Ms Pamela Ruth Davies 13 Dec 2004
Mr Archibald David Clyde Fisken 16 Dec 2002
Mrs Mary Thelma Akers 16 Dec 2002
Dr Edward Wong 17 May 1999
Mr Derek Woolley 14 May 1999
Mr L.A. (Peter) Fryar 14 May 1999
Mr Alan Webb 24 Apr 1997
Mr Patrick Hope 24 Apr 1997
Mr Robert Hook AM 24 Apr 1997
Associate Professor Trevor Hastings 24 Apr 1997
Professor John Sharpham 23 Apr 1997
Mr William Pryor AO 23 Apr 1997
Mr Edward John (Jack) Barker OAM 23 Apr 1997
Mr Robert Morrell 22 Apr 1997
Dr Frank Hurley 22 Apr 1997

Emeritus Professors

Name Date Awarded
Emeritus Professor Erica Smith3 October 2023
Emeritus Professor Andrew Smith22 March 2022
Emeritus Professor Peter Gell18 March 2022
Emeritus Professor Helen Bartlett11 May 2021
Emeritus Professor Rae Mackay 6 December 2017
Emeritus Professor David Battersby AM7 December 2016
Emeritus Professor John Smyth 9 December 2015
Emeritus Professor Frank Stagnitti 9 December 2015
Emeritus Professor Peter Matthews 19 February 2013
Emeritus Professor Terry Lloyd 30 May 2012
Emeritus Professor Wayne Robinson 4 May 2010
Emeritus Professor Sydney Morris 3 May 2010
Emeritus Professor Martin Westbrooke 7 May 2007
Emeritus Professor Kerry O Cox AO 10 May 2006
Emeritus Professor Ray Over 19 Dec 2000
Emeritus Professor David James AO 19 Dec 2000
Emeritus Professor Stephen Kemmis 5 May 1998

Distinguished Professors

NameDate Awarded