Australia Day Honours

Alumni Mark Squirrell (’89) and Ian Watts (’65) were honoured on 26 January 2019 by the Governor General of Australia, General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC. Humanitarian Aid Worker and Motivational Speaker, Mark Squirrell from the Class of 1989 received an OAM for service to the international community through humanitarian aid. A former member of the Australian Army Reserve and author of ‘From Arafat to Everest’, Mark climbed to the top of Mount Everest in 2006 to raise awareness on global hunger. Mark has returned to Ivanhoe on numerous occasions helping to inspire the next generation. Manager of Public Programs at Old Treasury Building Museum, Ian Watts from the Class of 1965 received an OAM for service to the museums and galleries sector. Ian’s service has included over four decades of volunteer involvement in museum education networks, providing a constant source of energy and initiative for his colleagues and the community. It is wonderful to see members of the Ivanhoe community, Mark Squirrell and Ian Watts, receive recognition through these highly esteemed awards for all their hard work and dedication.