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The University of Western Australia congratulates staff-member Winthrop Professor Bruce Robinson for being named Western Australian of the Year 2013 and graduate Michael Sheldrick for his Youth Award.

Professor Robinson also won the Business and Professions Award.

Professor Robinson is an internationally renowned asbestos diseases specialist.  Earlier this year he was made a member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia in recognition of his ‘significant service to medicine in the area of research into asbestos-related cancers, and to the community, particularly through support to fathers'.

Professor Robinson, of the School of Medicine and Pharmacology Sir Charles Gairdner Unit, co-leads a large research team studying cancer immunology and asbestos diseases.  The team has made many discoveries, including the first blood test for mesothelioma, and has conducted many world-first treatments including Australia's first cancer gene therapy trial.

Professor Robinson, also the director of the National Centre for Asbestos-related Diseases, pioneered the world's first effective chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma.

In addition to his work in the medical field, he has consistently contributed to the community by supporting men in their roles as fathers.  He is the co-founder of The Fathering Foundation and the best-selling author of a series of books on fatherhood - Daughters and their Dads , Fathering from the Fast Lane, and The Blue Book of Tips for Fathers and Father-Figures.

Michael Sheldrick studied political science, international relations and law at UWA and is a global policy and advocacy manager with the Global Poverty Project.  He recently coordinated the group's End of Polio Campaign.

More information on Celebrate WA .

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716