Sustainability champions honoured for Queen's Birthday

Two of Australia’s most pre-eminent built environment sustainability champions, both members of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), have been awarded an Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday 2018 Honours List.

ASBEC President Professor Ken Maher was been acknowledged for his distinguished service to architecture and landscape design, particularly through urban infrastructure projects, and to environmental sustainability in planning. ASBEC co-founder Jane Montgomery-Hribar has meanwhile been awarded for her distinguished service to the building and construction sector, particularly in the areas of project procurement and industry standards, through executive roles, and as a mentor of women.

Professor Maher is a past chairman and current Fellow of multidisciplinary architecture and design firm HASSELL. He is a recipient of the Australian Institute of Architecture’s highest accolade, the AIA Gold Medal, as well as the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ Australian Award for Landscape Architecture. He is a founding board member of the Green Building Council and board member of the Co-operative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL).

Montgomery-Hribar is the former executive director of the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC) and a founding member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). She facilitated the development of the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry and developed the Government Framework for Sustainable Procurement. She was awarded the NAWIC Crystal Vision Award for her efforts to promote women in leadership.

“The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council is very proud to be led by individuals like Ken and Jane, who embody the boldness, perseverance, intelligence and humility required to build a more livable, sustainable and resilient Australia,” said ASBEC Executive Director, Suzanne Toumbourou.

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