A Supreme Court of Queensland judge was among the roll call of 11 University of Queensland Faculty of Business, Economics and Law community members celebrated this week for creating positive change.
Within the TC Beirne School of Law, six alumni and staff were recognised in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
BEL Faculty Executive Dean Professor Andrew Griffiths said the awards highlighted the many strengths of the BEL community.
“Our BEL community members set an example for the rest of the world,” Professor Griffiths said.
“Not only do they excel in their chosen field, but they also demonstrate exceptional leadership, community spirit and advocacy, and lift others with their words and actions.
“Congratulations to all of the recipients on their well-deserved awards.”
2019 Queen's Birthday Honours list
The annual Queen’s Birthday Honours list celebrates Australia’s finest philanthropists, leaders, activists, researchers and visionaries and their contributions to Australia.
The 2019 Queen’s Birthday honourees from the Law School community were*:
Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
The Honourable Justice Debra Mullins AO (Bachelor of Commerce ’77, Bachelor of Laws ’80, Master Laws ’87, Master of Laws (Adv) ’99)
For distinguished service to the law, and to the judiciary, to professional development and legal education, and to women.
The Honourable Justice Mullins AO has been a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland since 2000. She is a trustee of the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation and the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. She is also extensively involved in judicial education through her work with the National Judicial College of Australia.
Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
The Honourable Justice Graham Bell AM (Bachelor of Laws ’61)
For significant service to family law, and to the judiciary.
The Honourable Justice Bell AM was appointed to the Family Court in 1976, where he served until his retirement in 2015. He was one of Australia’s longest serving judges.
Emeritus Professor Gabriel Moens AM (Grad Cert Education ’98)
For significant service to the law, and to higher education.
Emeritus Professor Moens AM has taught extensively at universities around the world, including UQ. He is currently an Emeritus Professor at UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law, and a board member and Fellow of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration.
Stephen Sheaffe AM (Bachelor of Laws ’83, Master of Laws ’97)
For significant service to community history preservation.
Mr Sheaffe AM is the President of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and a barrister-at-law. He is also a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee at the Brisbane City Council.
Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
Damien Atkinson OAM (Bachelor of Arts ’86, Bachelor of Laws (Honours) ’89)
For service to youth.
Mr Atkinson OAM is a barrister-at-law and the Chair of the Youth Advocacy Centre in Brisbane, which deals with casework and policy related to young people. He is also the Chair of the Human Rights Committee for the Bar Association of Queensland.
Daniel O'Connor OAM (Bachelor of Educational Studies ’90, Master of Laws ’98)
For service to the law, and to the community.
Mr O’Connor OAM is the Deputy President of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and the Deputy President of the Industrial Court of Queensland. He is also the Senior Vice-President of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland.
*Accurate at the time of publication.
Read more about the 2019 Queen’s Birthday honourees from UQ
Contact: BEL Communications, media@bel.uq.edu.au
