Four people associated with USC have been recognised with national awards for community-minded dedication that has delivered huge boosts to health, conservation and the visual arts.

USC has celebrated the awarding of Australia Day 2019 Honours to a USC graduate, an academic and Honorary Senior Fellows.

USC Outstanding Alumnus 2017 Jan Becker, of Yandina, became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to community health through neonatal organisations, and to aviation.

The nurse leader, midwife and commercial helicopter pilot, who graduated with her USC Nursing Science degree in 2009, is committed to improving the health of women and babies in some of the world’s most under-resourced countries.

Captain Becker founded non-profit organisation Midwife Vision, which helps hospital midwives in Tanzania, and has been CEO of Becker Helicopters since 1996.

Three Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) were presented to:

• USC Associate Professor of Health Management Kevin Hegarty, of Pelican Waters, for service to public health administration. He was chief executive of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service from 2003 to 2017, including the opening of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Kawana;
• USC Honorary Senior Fellow 2013 and former adjunct lecturer Susie Chapman, of Marcoola, for service to conservation and the environment. A leader with Healthy Land and Water since 2004, she currently coordinates Aura Community Advisory Group and is Life Member of Sunshine Coast Environment Council;
• USC Honorary Senior Fellow 2017 Chris Simon, of Alice Springs, for service to the visual arts through support for and promotion of Aboriginal art.