Led by a former ANU Chancellor, the Univeristy was well represented in the annual Queen's Birthday honours.

A former University Chancellor, a brain expert, a prominent demographer and a Pacific historian were among the ANU people who made it on the Queen's Birthday honours list this year.

Before his stint as Chancellor from 1994 to 2006, Emeritus Professor Peter Baume worked as a gastroenterologist and then as a Federal Liberal senator.

He was named a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his academic, research and community services.

Where some people might take such a moment to bask in the glory, Professor Baume turned the spotlight back on his former University, telling the Canberra Times that ANU was "a wonderful university and … an Australian treasure not recognised enough by people of Australia."

One bright piece of the treasure at ANU is the work of Professor Stephen Redman from the John Curtin School of Medical Research.

The neuroscientist was made a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his efforts to understand more about the inner workings of the brain.

Demographer Peter McDonald received the same award for his work on "population dynamics and future studies, through the exploration of related policy options and through education."

Professor McDonald is the Director of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute (ADSRI) based at ANU. "If awards were provided to institutes rather than to individuals, this award would have been made to ADSRI," he said.

One other individual to receive an AM was historian Professor Hank Nelson from the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies.

Professor Nelson, who was recognised for his efforts as a researcher and commentator on the history of Papua New Guinea, is currently working with the Australian War Memorial to develop a website about WWII in PNG.

For more information visit http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/

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