Melbourne Law School

The Governor of Victoria and Melbourne Law School alumnus, The Hon. Alex Chernov AC QC has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in an Australia Day honours list that recognised a host of notable legal figures.

The former Supreme Court Judge and University of Melbourne Chancellor was awarded Australia’s greatest civic honour in recognition of his distinguished career in law and his significant role in legal education in Australia.

From Melbourne Law School via the Victorian Bar to Melbourne’s Government House, Mr Chernov is a former chairman of the Victoria Bar, vice president of the Australian Bar Association and president of the Australian Law Council. In 2009 he became Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Last year Mr Chernov, who arrived in post-war Australia as a 10-year-old boy with his Russian parents, was inaugurated as the 28th Governor of Victoria.

Mr Chernov was just one of 10 Melbourne Law School alumni and community members recognised this year for their diverse contributions and service to their fellow citizens. Melbourne Law School would like to congratulate the following alumni on their honours:

Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC)

His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AO QC (LLB(Hons) 1967)
For eminent service to the people of Victoria, to the advancement of higher education, particularly the development of academic and administrative programs at the University of Melbourne, through the establishment of the Australia India Institute, and to the judiciary.

Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO)

The Honourable Justice Diana Bryant AO (LLB 1969)
For distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly to family law policy reform and practice, through the establishment of the Federal Magistrates Court, and to the advancement of women in the legal profession.

Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM)

The Honourable Rosemary Anne Balmford AM (LLB(Hons) 1955)
For service to the judiciary, the practice of law in Victoria, and to the study of ornithology.

Mr Bryan Andrew Keon-Cohen AM QC (LLB 1973, LLM 1975)
For service to the law, and to the legal profession, through the advancement of social justice and the protection of human rights, particularly in the areas of environmental and Indigenous law reform.

Mr Ian Andrew Renard AM (LLB(Hons) 1970, LLM 1972, LLD 2009)
For service to the tertiary education sector, particularly in the area of governance policy development, to business and commerce, and to a range of arts and cultural institutions

Mr Robert Stewart AM (LLB(Hons 1972)
For service to the community through fostering collaboration between business and the tertiary education sector, to health and technology organisations, and to the sport of rowing.

Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM)

Mr John B Arthur OAM (LLB 1968)
For service to Catholic Religious Congregations and to Indigenous education through advisory and leadership roles.

Mr Brian Stirtevant Barrow OAM (LLB 1980)
For service to the law in Victoria as a magistrate, and to youth.

Melbourne Law School community

Melbourne Law School also congratulates former professorial fellow, Professor Geoffrey Lindell and former advisory board member and chair, the Hon. Peter Heerey QC, who were both appointed Members of the Order of Australia.

The Honourable Peter Cadden Heerey AM QC
For service to the judiciary through the Federal Court of Australia, to the development of legal principle in the areas of intellectual property, trade practices and military law, and to the community.

Professor Geoffrey John Lindell AM
For service to legal education as an academic, particularly in the area of Australian constitutional law and through a range of professional associations.