RMIT community celebrated in the 2020 Australia Day Honours

The 2020 Australia Day Honours awarded on 26 January showcased the range and depth of impact that RMIT alumni, staff, Council members, donors and partners have on the Australian community. 

Through service to education, arts and culture, diversity and disability, local and state government, to the community and more, RMIT connections are helping shape the world we live in today and helping build a better world for tomorrow.

Professor of Architectural History and Director of RMIT Design Archives, Harriet Edquist was recognised with a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to architectural history and design, and to higher education.

“I was really pleased to receive the honour, as I see it as great recognition for the hard work and achievements of the whole RMIT Design Archives team over the past 12 years,” Harriet said.

“While we’re well-known within the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector, it’s wonderful to have our contribution to RMIT’s strategic goals recognised more broadly.

“Awards such as this help to make our work, which is often quite specialised, more interesting and accessible to the community, and that’s such a key part of what Universities are all about – engagement with the public, with our students and with our staff,” she said.

Alumni and industry honours

RMIT alumni recognised in the 2020 Honours included writer, speaker and appearance activist Carly Findlay, who was awarded a Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her service to people with a disability.

Carly has inspired audiences and helped drive change through her involvement with events such as the Melbourne Writer’s Festival, Emerging Writers Festival and Melbourne Fashion Week, which RMIT also partners with as part of our commitment to the creative industries.     

A Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia was also awarded to RMIT alumnus Kate Torney for her service to the broadcast media, and to the cultural sector.

Kate is the current CEO of the State Library of Victoria, which RMIT has proudly collaborated with many times to offer opportunities for students and graduates to hone their creative talents and gain real-world experience.

Most recently, this included inspiring student artworks being featured on construction hoardings in the library forecourt as it underwent its $88.1 million Vision 2020 redevelopment.

The Australia Day 2020 list recognised 1,099 outstanding and inspirational Australians from across the fields of government, the arts, sport, business, philanthropy, science, the military, public service and emergency services.