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To be recognised by the Australian community has made Queen's Birthday honours even sweeter for two UWA staff members.

Winthrop Professor Kadambot Siddique and Clinical Professor Jack Goldblatt both migrated to Australia many years ago, but, as Professor Goldblatt says, "it is very satisfying for an immigrant to be honoured in the country of his choice."

Both academics were made Members of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.

Professor Goldblatt, from the School of Paediatrics and Child Health, runs the state's only clinical genetics and familial cancer service. He has been working in the area of human genetics for about 40 years and, when he came to UWA from South Africa 23 years ago, and when he was initially appointed director of the state-wide clinical genetic service he was the only full-time clinical geneticist in the department.

"I now work with almost 30 people to deliver genetic services, including familial cancer services, to individuals and families across the state," he said.

"Some people tend to think of genetics as just an area of research, something a bit futuristic, but while it is a rapidly evolving field, we actually do deliver practical assistance to thousands of people every year."

The research side of his field also keeps him busy. Professor Goldblatt has co-authored 197 papers, many of them with the Head of School, Winthrop Professor Peter Le Souëf.

"This award to me is symbolic of all the great work done by Peter Le Souëf and the whole team. It's a great hard-working group of people and this award is as much theirs as it is mine," he said.

"Having said that, it is very satisfying to be recognised by the Australian community, especially in the current climate, where there are often issues related to overseas-trained doctors."

The Director of UWA's Institute of Agriculture, Winthrop Professor Siddique, is an international leader in crop science. He is credited with the establishment and development of the pulse industry in Australia.

Professor Siddique has nearly 30 years experience in crop physiology. He came to UWA to do his PhD with a first class Honours degree in Agriculture and a Masters in Crop Physiology from prestigious Indian universities.

He has recently expanded his academic role to helping build capacity in agricultural science in southern Asia.

"With agricultural development will eventually come prosperity, and prosperity is important for global peace," he told UWAnews earlier this year.

"I am humbled and honoured to be recognised," he said of his AM. "I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my family, my colleagues and the farming community over the past 30 years (including my PhD years at UWA ) of my career in agriculture in Australia.

Published in UWA News , 27 June 2011