Tamil Recipients of Order of Australia Awards

Two Tamils have won Order of Australia Awards this year. Professor Vijay KUMAR receives AM Awardfor significant service to medical research in the disciplines of nuclear medicine and biology, to professional organisations, and to the community; and Ms Padmini Maryse SEBASTIAN receives OAM Award for service to multiculturalism, and to the community.

Source: Prof Vijay Kumar

Source: Prof Vijay Kumar

Professor Vijay KUMAR

For significant service to medical research in the disciplines of nuclear medicine and biology, to professional organisations, and to the community.

Service includes:

• Principal Scientist, and Head of Radiopharmaceutical Science, Westmead Hospital, and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, since 1996.
• Clinical Professor, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia, since 2011.
• Treasurer, World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 2014-2018 and Secretary, Bid Committee, 2008-2014.
• Australia and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine: President, 2014-2016.
• Member, Scientific Advisory Panel, since 2013.
• Secretary, International Relations Committee, since 2009.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), United Nations, Vienna:
• Consultant (Full Time), Division of Nuclear Science Applications, 2010.
• Consultant Scientific Expert, since 2005.
• Scientific Secretary, Regional African Conference 2010, under Technical Co-operations Project of IAEA (RAF-2008).
• Steering Committee Member for organising iPET-II Conference in IAEA, Vienna, 2011.
• Steering Committee Member for establishing future trends in Nuclear Medicine by IAEA, Vienna, 2010.
• Track Chair, Ninth World Congress of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Seoul, South Korea, 2006.
• Track Chair, Tenth World Congress of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010.
• Member, Board of Directors, International Society of Radiolabelled Blood Elements, since 2011.
• Editorial Board Member, World Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, since 2008.
• Vice-President, United Indian Association, 2005-2009.
• Founding Member, Sydney Tamil Sangam Association, 1978.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Recipient, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Award, 2007 and 2014.
• Recipient, Life Time Achievement Award in Nuclear Medicine, Society of Nuclear Medicine, India, 2011.

 

An interview with Prof Vijay Kumar will be broadcast on SBS Tamil Radio on Friday 27 January.

Source: Padmini Sebastian

Ms Padmini Maryse SEBASTIAN,

For service to multiculturalism, and to the community.

Service includes:

• Manager, Immigration Museum at Museum Victoria, since 2003 and Director, 2001-2003 and  Manager, Public Programs, 1997-2001.
• Founding Board Member, International Network of Migration Institutions, UNESCO, since 2006.
• Board Advisory and Reference Committee Member, Islamic Museum of Australia, 2011-2014.
• General Manager, Zootango State Theatre Company, Tasmania, 1995-1997.
• Judge, Melbourne Awards, City of Melbourne, since 2013.
• Board Director, Victorian Women's Trust, since 2011 and Member, Management Committee, The Dugdale Trust for Women and Girls, current.
• Member, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation Advisory Board, Deakin University, since 2015.
• Youth Mentor, Centre for Multicultural Youth, since 2010.
• Volunteer, Maribyrnong Migrant Hostel, 1984-1985.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Recipient, Churchill Fellowship, 2000.

An interview with Ms Padmini Sebastian will be broadcast on SBS Tamil Radio on Sunday 29 January.