The Governor-General announced the 2022 Honours List during the recent Queen’s Birthday public holiday weekend.
Five APS members have been recognised for their contribution to both the Australian community and the profession of psychology. Each has made an incredible contribution to the lives of many Australians. Having the work of psychologists acknowledged on a national stage with this highest level of honour is a positive reminder that psychology’s work is both noticed and appreciated.
Dr Suzanne Dean FAPS OAM from Victoria has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to clinical psychology, and to community mental health. She has worked at the Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, and Victoria University. Dr Dean has a long-standing interest and commitment to the mental health, wellbeing and rights of Indigenous children, adolescents and families. She is a Fellow of the APS, College of Clinical Psychologists member and member of the Child, Adolescent and Family Interest Group.
Dr Warrick Brewer MAPS AM from Victoria has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to neuropsychology, and to professional societies. A consultant neuropsychologist, Dr Brewer has worked at the University of Melbourne and the Orygen Centre for Youth Mental Health. He was formerly a member of the National Executive Committee of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Among many other notable awards and representations in his career, Dr Brewer received the APS Early Career Award in 2005.
Professor Anne Dissanayake MAPS AM from Victoria has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to medical research, to tertiary education, and to professional societies. She has a long-standing commitment to research and advocacy in autism and developmental disabilities. Professor Dissanayake has worked at the School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University and has authored or co-authored more than 250 publications, journal articles and papers. She was the Founding Director and Inaugural Chair of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC).
Sky Lambert MAPS ACM from South Australia has been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) for her valuable work within the Department for Correctional Services (DCS). She provides therapeutic rehabilitation services to the most high-risk individuals in the prison system and oversees and supervises therapeutic programs for sexual and violent offenders. She is acknowledged for the meaningful outcomes she achieves and her contribution to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
Dr Alexandra West ME from Victoria has been awarded the Public Service Medal (ME) for outstanding public service to Victoria Police, particularly in mental health. She has contributed to significant changes at Victoria Police, including as author of the Victoria Police Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Action Plan to improve the delivery of mental health services to Victoria Police employees. Her work has influenced public sector in not only the state of Victoria, but other jurisdictions in Australia and around the world.
Congratulations to all.
The APS provides this list which, to the best of our knowledge, includes all APS members who were recognised in this year’s honours list. If you know of someone else who should be included in this list, please contact us at [email protected]