Researcher awarded Queen's Birthday Honour

Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC researcher Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst (University of Melbourne) and AFAC staff member Sandra Lunardi have both been recognised for their achievements in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours list. 

Dr Tolhurst received a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia award, recognising him for his significant service to science through land and bushfire management, and to the community through providing expert advice at fire emergencies. The citation went on to spell out Dr Tolhurst's achievements:

• Associate Professor, School of Ecosystem and Forest Services, The University of Melbourne, since 2011; Senior Lecturer, since 1997.
• Project Leader, Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, Government of Australia, current; Researcher, since 2003; Co-developer, Phoenix Fire Behaviour model, 2009. Member, Expert panel, 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, 2009. Expert Advisor, the Black Saturday fires, 2009; The Great Divide fires, 2007; The Grampians and Moondarra fires, 2006; The Alpine fires, 2003; The Sydney bushfires, 2001; The Grampians Mt Difficult fire, 1999; The Linton fires, 1998; The Caledonia fires, 1998; The Alpine National Park fires, 1998; The Blue Mountains fires, 1994.
• Co-developer, Fire Behaviour Analyst Course, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Government of Victoria, 'no dates'.

Ms Lunardi was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to the community through fire and emergency service organisations. The citation listed her achievements: 

• Director, Workforce Development, Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), since 1993. Member, Public Safety Industry Advisory Committee, no dates. Member, Board of Studies, Australian Institute of Police Management, no dates. Emergency Services Representative, Government Skills Australia, approximately 6 years.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC recognises Dr Tolhurst's and Ms Lunardi's major achievements to the Australian community and congratulates them both on their well-deserved awards.