Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal

The Dunlop Asia Medal is awarded for an outstanding record of achievement in improving Australia-Asia relations and enhancing the quality of life in the region. The Medal provides recognition and support for exemplary Australians committed to excellence in both their vocations and their contributions to Australia-Asia relations.

Criteria

The following key selection criteria (in order of priority) is used by the Dunlop Asia Medal's Selection Committee to evaluate nominations for the Medal:

• Outstanding long-term commitment to developing relations in a given field between Australians and people from one or more of the countries of Asia
• Achievements that go beyond the requirements of the their work
• The enduring humanitarian quality of the work undertaken
• Evidence of self-sacrifice throughout their career
• Nomination

Nominations are requested in March and the closing date for receipt of nominations for the Dunlop Asialink Medal is in August each year.

It is Asialink's policy to retain nominations for five years after which a separate nomination will be required in order for the nominee to continue to be considered for the Dunlop Asialink Medal in subsequent years. However, we would be glad to receive any additional information or materials at any time if you feel these would enhance the nomination.

Explore the list of past Dunlop Asialink medal recipients below.

2023

John McCarthy AO

John McCarthy is a former Australian career diplomat. He joined the then-Department of External Affairs in 1968. McCarthy's posts include Ambassador to Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, the United States, Indonesia and Japan and High Commissioner to India. His assignments in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia included Chief of Staff to the then-Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock, Chief Legal Officer and Deputy Secretary. McCarthy is an Officer of the Order of Australia (1999). He has honourary doctorates from Murdoch and Griffith Universities.

Read the citation.
Read John McCarthy's remarks.

2022

The Hon Julie Bishop

In The Hon Julie Bishop’s over 20-year political career, she placed the Indo-Pacific focus at the centre of how the government sees Australia in a global landscape. She oversaw the largest expansion of Australia’s overseas diplomatic presence as well as strengthened and concreted Australia’s commitment to a rules-based-order in international politics.

Read the citation.

2019 and 2020

Mr Carrillo Gantner and Mrs Ziyin Wang Gantner

Cultural leaders and philanthropists Carrillo Gantner and Ziyin Wang Gantner have been jointly awarded the 2019 and 2020 Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asia Medals.

Mr. Gantner is honoured for his dedication to strengthening ties between Australia and Asia, particularly his leadership in the fields of culture and performing arts. As a performer, theatre entrepreneur, arts administrator, and businessman, Mr. Gantner has made a unique contribution to building networks and understanding across physical and cultural borders, opening windows to Australian and Asian audiences on unseen aspects of each other’s societies.

Mrs Ziyin Wang Gantner has proven herself a powerhouse in Australian and Chinese film, television, and theatre production. Mrs. Wang Gantner has dedicated her career to enriching both Australian and Chinese cultural scenes, building deeper understanding between nations, and creating meaningful art for the screen and theatre.

Read the citation.
Read Mr Gantner's remarks.
Read Mrs Wang Gantner's remarks.

2018 

Mr Peter N Varghese AO

Mr. Varghese has played a critical role in the development of Australian foreign policy in a period of great change in the Asia-Pacific. He has been an advisor to Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, aiding both Coalition and Labor Governments navigate the complex policy environment to further Australia’s interests in our region.

Read the citation.
Read Mr Varghese's remarks.

2017

Sir Rod Eddington AO
The 2017 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop medal recognised the significant contribution of Sir Rod Eddington AO to deepening Australia's involvement with Asia though his role as the key figure in the Australia-Japan business relationships though his chairmanship of the Australia-Japan Business Co-operation Committee.

Read the citation.

2016

Professor Heather Jeffery AO
For more than 40 years, Professor Jeffery has been a newborn intensive care specialist, academic, medical educator and researcher in Australia and internationally, mostly in South East Asia. Working alongside Australian and local doctors and nurses, Professor Jeffery has worked tirelessly to reduce neo-natal infection, which kills millions of babies each year.

Read the citation.

2015 

Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC
Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC was awarded the Dunlop Asia medal for his lifelong work to develop strong and trusted relationships with Australia’s neighbours in Asia.

Read the citation.

2014

Gabi Hollows AO
Gabi Hollows AO, through her work with the Fred Hollows Foundation, has helped to restore the sight of people in 20 countries across Asia, the Pacific and Africa. Fourteen of those countries are in Asia, where the Fred Hollows Foundation restores sight to those previously out of reach of eye care because of remoteness and cost.

Read the citation.

2013

John So AO JP
John So is a Melbourne icon. His inclusive style and dedication to community while in public office and through his work in business have helped to highlight and elevate our nation's rich history and connections with Asia.

Read the citation.

2012

The Hon. Alexander Downer AC
Alexander Downer served as Australia's foreign minister for an unbroken eleven and a half years, from March 1996 to December 2007, exceeding by three years the previous Richard Casey record.

Read the citation.

2011

Geraldine Cox AM
Geraldine Cox first worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs at the age of 25 as ambassador's secretary in Phnom Penh. As tends to be the case with first postings, a fascination and love for the country and the people stayed with her through her other postings - the Philippines, Thailand, Iran and the United States. In later years she became aware of the plight of the many orphans left by conflict and deprivation and in 1996, quit her job and moved back to Phnom Penh, establishing an orphanage that would later form part of her network of Sunrise Children's Villages.

Sunrise Children's Villages have been home to many thousands of Cambodia's children. Sunrise offers a loving home environment, health care, and education. In 1999 the returned King Norodom Sihanouk awarded her Cambodian citizenship, one of only four foreigners so honoured during his reign. It's an identity Geraldine wears proudly alongside her Australian one. In 2000 she was made a member of the Order of Australia.

Read the citation.

2010

Professor Ross Garnaut AO
Currently a distinguished Professor at the Australian National University and Vice Chancellor's Fellow and Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Professor Ross Garnaut has been at the centre of major decision-making in Australia and our region for almost four decades. Well before Asia was an emphatic part of Australian policy consciousness, Professor Garnaut was developing economic cooperation across the Asia Pacific. From 1985 to 1988, Professor Garnaut was the Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. In 1989, he completed a report for the Government, Australia and the Northeast Asian Ascendancy, better known as the Garnaut Report, which came to mark an historic point of change in terms of Australia's Asian engagement.

Read the citation delivered by Philip Flood AO, distinguished diplomat and former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at The Asialink Chairman's 20th Anniversary Dinner and 2010 Asialink Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Awards ceremony on 7 December 2010.

2009

Professor Nancy Viviani AO
From as early as 1973 - the year the White Australia Policy was finally abolished - and continuing today, Professor Nancy Viviani's work has reflected an aspiration and an optimism that Australia will "beat history" and avoid the racial tensions and conflict endemic in other multi-racial societies.

Read the citation delivered by Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, Professor Glyn Davis, at the Asialink Chairman's Dinner on 1 December 2009.

2008

Richard A Woolcott AC
Dick Woolott AC has had a long and distinguished contribution to Australia's relations with Asia.From an early stage in his career, Dick Woolcott became the face of Australian diplomacy. He was the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1982 to 1988, and served as the President of the United Nations Security Council for Australia's term in November 1985. Woolcott also served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the most senior diplomatic posting in Australia, from 1988 to 1992. As DFAT Secretary, he was involved in the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Read the citation.

2007

Tim Fischer AC
The former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Trade and the former leader of the National Party established lasting relationships in Asia through good times and the bad, such as the Asian economic crisis. He took a special interest in Thailand and Bhutan, promoting their interests and developing strong ties. After retirement from politics, Mr Fischer maintained his links with Asia as the chairman of Tourism Australia until June 2007.

2006

Sister Mary Theodore OAM
The 2006 Asialink Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop Asialink Medal recognises Sister Mary Theodore OAM's dedication over 50 years to the care and rehabilitation of mentally and physically disabled children in Chennai, India through the Madras Institute To Habilitate Retarded Afflicted, MITHRA.

2005

Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large, The Australian
Through Paul Kelly's editorship of The Australian, his public speeches, and through his writing, he has lifted the standard of discussion and deliberation in enhancing Australia's appreciation of Asia. Paul has been consistently the most perceptive observer and interpreter of Australia-Asia relations among the fourth estate over the past 25 years. The greater sophistication with which Australia now relates to the region has unquestionably been influenced significantly by Paul Kelly.

Read the citation. 

2004

Dr Harold Clough AO, OBE FTS
A pioneer in establishing business relations with Asia and investing in Indonesia through Clough Ltd, his understanding of business in Asia and his enthusiasm in promoting the benefits of continued Australia-Asia engagement, is an inspiration to future generations.

2003

Dr John Yu AC
A paediatrician and Australian of the Year in 1996, in recognition of his visionary leadership in building Australia's dynamic and multi-faceted relationship with Greater China.

2002

The Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC and Mrs Margaret Whitlam AO 
Former Labor Prime Minister of Australia and his wife of nearly 60 years played a leading role in establishing the modern Australia-China relationship.

2000

Mr Bill Armstrong AO
Executive Director, Australian Volunteers International for 18 years. Mr Armstrong devoted more than 30 years to leading volunteer involvement in the Asian region.

1999

Professor Stephen Fitzgerald AO
Professor Fitzgerald was appointed Australia's first Ambassador to the People's Republic of China and has contributed to Australia-Asia engagement.

1998

Professor John Pearn AM, RFD 
Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, Deputy Head of the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Queensland, and Surgeon-General of the Australian Defence Forces.

1997

Professor Walter Taylor OAM
Professor Taylor, in association with colleagues in Thailand, pioneered research on plants used in traditional medicine in Asia, which have properties that relieve the symptoms of asthma. He devoted more than 30 years to nurturing scientists from Asia in their research.

1996

Dr George Tippett, AM 
An anesthetist specialising in techniques for cataract surgery, Dr Tippett's work has been an invaluable contribution to the standard of health care provided in the Asian region.

1995

Professor Peter Drysdale AO
Executive Director of the Australia-Japan Research Centre and Professor at the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. Professor Drysdale made an outstanding contribution to the development of students and to research collaboration.

1994

Professor Francis Billson AO
Professor Billson, the inaugural Dunlop Asia Medallist, was an ophthalmic surgeon who dedicated much of hs career to alleviating the suffering caused by blindness in Bangladesh and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia.