Emma Stanford recognised

We congratulate Emma Stanford, Associate Director of the Indigenous Eye Health Unit (IEHU) at The University of Melbourne, who was awarded an Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday honours list 2024. Emma was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to Indigenous eye health.

Emma is one of the longest serving staff members of IEHU having commenced work in the Unit in 2009. She has championed activities around the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem throughout her time at IEHU, including managing teams of staff involved in health promotion activities working remotely and in multiple jurisdictions. Emma’s skills in advocacy and political and bureaucratic negotiation and her understanding and empathy with First Nations people and communities has significantly contributed to the success of IEHU work in trachoma.

Emma is proud and at the same time embarrassed about her award but keen to emphasise that the recognition of her work is recognition of the efforts of IEHU staff past and present and the wonderful work done in community and by community towards trachoma elimination. Emma says ‘it has been all about team work and partnerships and has involved many people, including Milpa who deserves his own OAM!’

Our warmest congratulations to our colleague Emma Stanford OAM.

Images: Emma at work – 2010, 2020, 2009

Images: Emma with Milpa the Trachoma Goanna and IEHU colleagues at various trachoma health promotion events