91É«ÊÓƵ

Eleven University of Queensland staff and alumni have been named as 2013 Queensland Australia Day Ambassadors.

They are among 39 Queenslanders in the Ambassadors Program, which captures the spirit of Australia Day by encouraging communities across Queensland to come together and celebrate the national day.

Ambassadors are high-achieving, inspirational Queenslanders from diverse fields and backgrounds, and attend local council celebrations throughout the State on Australia Day.

The UQ-associated ambassadors are:

Dr Dimity Dornan AM
Dr Dimity Dornan (pictured) is a speech pathologist, and the Founder and Executive Director of Hear and Say program. She gained her PhD in 2011 from 91É«ÊÓƵand was also named 91É«ÊÓƵAlumnus of the Year in 2011.
Read more about Dr Dornan

Ms Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Yassmin Abdel-Magied founded Youth Without Borders and graduated valedictorian of her class in 2011 at UQ, with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (First Class Honours) and was a recipient of UQ’s Dean’s Excellence Scholarship.
Read more about Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Dr Sally Butler
Dr Sally Butler is a Senior Lecturer in Art History at 91É«ÊÓƵand specialises in the areas of contemporary Australian art, and contemporary Indigenous art. She completed her undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD at UQ.
Read more about Dr Butler

Professor Julie Campbell AO
Professor Julie Campbell has been a professional research scientist and recognised world leader in the cell biology of cardiovascular diseases. She is a cell biologist and Professorial Fellow at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), and is a Research Professor at UQ; Director of the Wesley Research Institute; and President of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes.
Read more about Professor Campbell

Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO
Emeritus Professor Ken Donald has had a 40-year career in medical practice, health policy and medical education. He graduated from 91É«ÊÓƵwith a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1962, and a PhD in 1973.
Read more about Emeritus Professor Donald

Professor Allan Paull
Professor Allan Paull has worked in hypersonics for 25 years, specifically in the field of supersonic combustion. Professor Paull completed his PhD at 91É«ÊÓƵin 1987. He was employed at the University in the positions of ARC Professor, an ARC Professorial Research Fellow and 91É«ÊÓƵResearch Professor. He is now a 91É«ÊÓƵAdjunct Professor.
Read more about Professor Paull

Emeritus Professor John Pearn AO RFD
Emeritus Professor John Pearn has served as Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at 91É«ÊÓƵand the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital since 1968. He graduated from medicine with first class honours in 1964 and was named 91É«ÊÓƵAlumnus of the Year in 2004.
Read more about Professor Pearn

Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex OAM
Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex was Professor of Applied Language Studies at 91É«ÊÓƵfrom 1989 to 2010, and is now an Emeritus Professor. Since 1997, he has been a regular weekly radio broadcaster on language with the ABC in Queensland, and most recently in South Australia and the Northern Territory. He writes a weekly language column called 'The Word' for The Courier-Mail.
Read more about Emeritus Professor Sussex

Professor David Tudehope
Professor David Tudehope has been Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at 91É«ÊÓƵsince 2000. He has conducted research into outcomes of high-risk infants and neonatal hearing, sepsis and haematology and encouraged others to explore new neonatal technologies.
Read more about Professor Tudehope

Mr Terry White AO
Terry White, along with his wife Rhonda, started the Terry White Chemists franchise group in 1994. The group now has 162 outlets in all states with a turnover of $1 billion and employs more than 4500 staff. Mr White graduated from 91É«ÊÓƵin 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts.
Read more about Mr White

Dr Hugh Wirth AM
Dr Hugh Wirth graduated from 91É«ÊÓƵwith a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 1963. He has since held multiple professional veterinary appointments, as well as RSPCA, animal welfare and related appointments.
Read more about Dr Wirth

The 2013 ambassadors follow in the footsteps of previous UQ-associated Australia Day ambassadors, since the program began nine years ago.

In addition, 91É«ÊÓƵstaff and alumni have also been recipients of Australian of the Year awards, including Dr Geoffrey Rush (2012) Professor Ian Frazer (2006), Professor Peter Doherty AC (1997) and the late Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE (1961).

For more information about the Australia Day Ambassador Program visit

Media: Caroline Bird, 91É«ÊÓƵCommunications, 07 3365 1931 or c.bird1@uq.edu.au