King’s Birthday Honors 2023

We congratulate alumni John Ellis ’64 and John Dermer ’67 who have been recognised in the newly named King’s Birthday Honours List for this year.
John Ellis OAM has been acknowledged for services to the Oenology (wine) industry. John is founder of @hangingrockwinery with an illustrious career spanning over 50 years. John has been a key contributor in shaping the Australian wine industry as we see it today. Whilst the medal cites his work in the wine industry, his work in the tourism industry and the cattle world was also noted.


John Dermer OAM has been acknowledged for services to the Creative Arts particularly as a ceramicist. He was the Artist in residence for Wedgewood in the UK for many years and established his studio in Yackandandah, North East Victoria in 1974, where he still works today. John continues to exhibit throughout Australia and overseas each year and has won numerous national and international awards including the highly regarded Saltzbrand Keramic International Award in Koblenz, Germany in 2006. A highlight of his career was a major commission in 1987 and 1988 to provide large-scale works for the cabinet room and Prime Minister’s suite area in the New Parliament House.

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