Professor Jacqueline Close and Terrence Donovan (Uncle Terry) have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in the Australia Day Honours this year.
Neuroscience Research Australia CEO, Professor Matthew Kiernan AM, warmly congratulates Professor Close and Uncle Terry.
The Order of Australia and the meritorious awards recognise individuals for their distinguished service. Those recognised have consistently performed to the highest standards and made major contributions to the Australia community and to humanity at large.
Recipients of Australia Day 2024 Honours were announced by the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) on the 26th of January, 2024.
Professor Kiernan said, “I wholeheartedly congratulate Professor Close and Uncle Terry: Professor Close for her AM (Member of the Order of Australia) and Uncle Terry for his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Both have tirelessly contributed to improving community health outcomes and I am proud to see them acknowledged for their efforts.”
“Recipients have made a difference and had an impact at the local, national and/or international level. Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities,” the Governor-General said.
“Recipients come from all parts of the country. They have served and had an impact in just about every field you can imagine; their stories and backgrounds are diverse. We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness and, today, celebrate them.”
About Uncle Terrence ‘Terry’ Donovan
Uncle Terry Donovan is an integral member of the Aboriginal Health & Ageing Program team. He has played a major role in knowledge translation activities of the team, advising and guiding many projects, and providing mentorship and support to Aboriginal and non-Indigenous team members. His tireless efforts to increasing people’s knowledge of Aboriginal culture has had an immeasurable impact on the team, and NeuRA more broadly, through Uncle Terry’s involvement in the Reconciliation Action Plan working group and his numerous presentations on inclusiveness in the workplace. Uncle Terry is dedicated to working for his community, and embodies this in every aspect of his work at NeuRA.
Uncle Terry is a Gumbayngirr/Biripai man of Nambucca Heads and has had diverse careers ranging from military service, working in local government and non-for-profit community services, to providing education to health professionals on Aboriginal cultural awareness.
About Professor Jacqueline Close
Professor Jacqueline Close is a consultant Geriatrician at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney and Clinical Director of the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia. Prof Close sits on a number of State and National committees in relation to Aged Health. She is Co-Chair of the ANZ Hip Fracture Registry, Chair of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Clinical Care Standards Working Group for Hip Fracture and the President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine.
Professor Close has also played an active role as member or chair for various NSW Government health agencies, groups and commissions.
“This recognition of Professor Close is a reflection of her strong and sustained leadership, expertise and tireless work in hip fracture management, falls and injury prevention and improving the care of older people,” says the ANZHFR.
Her previous awards and recognitions include:
· Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation Research Medal, 2019.
· President’s Medal, Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine, 2017
· Health Services Research Award, Research Australia, 2017
· Prince of Wales Hospital and NSW Health Award for Falls Prevention in Hospitals, 2008
