Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

Congratulations to the School of Economics and Public Policy's Professor Patrick O'Connor who was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for his significant service to community health, and to conservation and the environment.

A believer in holistic action to tackle biodiversity issues, Professor O’Connor has been deeply involved in nature conservation through his research, work as a consultant, and through his involvement in governmental organisations.

Professor O’Connor joined the University of Adelaide as a Visiting Research Fellow in 2001 and was appointed the Director of The Centre for Global Food and Resources in 2015. Joining the Nature Conversation Society of South Australia as a committee member in 1998, he has held the position of President since 2020, also acting as Director for the National Landcare Network, Board Member of Landcare South Australia and Founding Member of Restoration Decade Alliance.

His philanthropic interests have also extended to supporting people with cystic fibrosis, as a children’s camp leader for the South Australian arm of the charity and as President of the national body.