Dr Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt AO

I am very pleased to congratulate Prof Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt, ALARA Life Member, who was awarded an AO (Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia) in the Queen's Birthday Honours that were announced on Monday 11 June 2018.

In the Australian honours system, appointments to the Order of Australia confer the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service, and as one of the initiators of ALARA Inc. (ALARPM Inc. at that time), the Management Committee believes that Ortrun is a very worthy recipient of this award. 

An abbreviated version of the information about Ortrun's background reads:

Ortrun Zuber-Skerritt is an internationally recognised and highly regarded scholar who has contributed significantly to both academia and the personal growth and development of many individuals. Ortrun’s career began in Germany. Following her relocation to Queensland in 1971, Ortrun completed the first of four PhD’s she has been awarded during her lifetime. Her giant intellect is evidenced by: a PhD in Literature (University of Queensland), PhD in Higher Education (Deakin University), DLittm in Management Education (International Management Centres Association), and Honorary Doctor of Professional Studies (Global University Lifelong Learning). 

Ortrun’s chief contributions to Australian society have been in three different fields: Australian drama, higher education and the integration of action learning, action research and process management not only in higher education but also applied to professional and organisational development in industry, business, government and community. 

In ‘Lifelong Action Learning and Action Research’(Kearney & Todhunter, 2015), a Festschrift (book tribute) written in her honour, her peers have described her contribution to the world in the following ways: “a quintessential international scholar”, “role model, mentor and coach par excellence" and “ a woman of influence, intellect and integrity with extraordinary professional achievements”. Ortrun’s CV reveals publication of at least 38 books, over 45 book chapters and in excess of 160 research and professional papers and educational programs. Her outstanding track record of achievement and action has continued despite her retirement in 1997. As Ortrun herself said, “ For me, retirement means doing only what I enjoy most: teaching, coaching, giving seminars and workshops, or generally, helping other people in their learning” (2009). 
 

On behalf of all of the ALARA Community - congratulations Ortrun.

Colin Bradley

President