Honorary Fellows

The Hon Dr Peter Garrett was an inaugural 1971 resident who threw his considerable talents into the developing spirit of the new College. From sporting teams to bar night singalongs, from enthusiastic political debates to late-night philosophical discussions in the conversation area, Peter was always an encourager to others, an investor in friendships with that combination of great fun and serious commitment to the world at large, which became typical of Burgmann residents.

Peter Garrett is, of course, also a long-time advocate and campaigner on a range of local and global issues. A member of Midnight Oil, one of Australia’s most successful bands, he served as a cabinet minister in the Rudd/Gillard Labor governments from 2007 to 2013.

As an 18-year-old he declared he would make a record and be part of the political life of Australia. Burgmann is blessed to have the continued support of this inspirational person.

Robin Brown was an active contributor to Burgmann in its first year, including as the inaugural Secretary of the Burgmann Residents’ Association. Robin has given a great deal of time to the College over the last two decades as a member of the Council, the Board and as Secretary. Robin was also instrumental in establishing the Burgmann College Alumni Association and was its inaugural President.

Robin has also given extensive service to the Australian community and developing countries in both paid and voluntary roles, especially in the field of consumer policy. Robin’s single most significant contribution was his involvement in the fight against the tobacco industry.

As an avid historian and foundation resident (1971-1980), Ms Judy Middlebrook saved much of the College’s early history from being lost, having collected and archived early photo albums, objects and other documents. Ms Middlebrook continues to be an integral member of our Burgmann community, including as an Alumni Mentor, a donor and an honoured guest at College events. Ms Middlebrook was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2016.

In the wider community, Middlebrook has 20 years’ experience in the House of Representatives with roles including Serjeant at Arms, Secretary of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Secretary of the House of Rep Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Judy has also worked as the Research Assistant to Professor Manning Clark, and the secretariat of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO.

Dr John Robins Richards was central to the work of developing the foundations for the establishment of Burgmann College and worked as Treasurer throughout the College’s first three decades. Many members of our alumni and staff recall John’s enthusiastic attitude and his promotion of an open and engaged Burgmann community. Dr Richards was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2008.

Dr Richards was a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and an important member of the Geological Society of Australia, contributing to its leadership and administration. He joined the ANU in 1952, working in the Department of Geophysics and Geochemistry and with the Research School of Earth Sciences until 1987. Dr Richards is remembered for his pioneering scientific work in the dating of rocks and metallic ores using absolute aging via radioactive decay.

Mr Len Goodman is the longest serving Chairman of the Burgmann College Council from 1998-2012. Under Goodman’s leadership, Burgmann created a Master Plan which included the construction of the Postgraduate Village, Tutorial Rooms, Chapel, Lounge and Computer Lab. Mr Goodman was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2013.

Goodman’s impact is felt throughout the wider community. At age 26, he began serving the community through the YMCA, then Diabetes Australian and ACT Society for the Physically Handicapped. Mr Goodman’s dedication to volunteerism is also exhibited through his significant contribution to Rotary, the Anglican Church and Snowy Helicopter Trust Fund. Mr Goodman was made a Life Member of the YMCA in 2011, received Rotary’s International Service Above Self Award and he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2002.

The Hon Kevin Rudd, the 26th Prime Minister of Australia, is one of Burgmann's most well-known alumni. Rudd studied and graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) with First Class Honours. During his time at Burgmann in the late 1970s, he was a member of the Christian fellowship, and later as secretary of the ANU Evangelical Union. Whilst at Burgmann he also met his wife, Thérèse Rein, who he married in his final year of study (1981). Mr Rudd was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2009.

As Prime Minister, Rudd is known for his signing of the Kyoto Protocol and his historic national apology to Indigenous Australians. Since leaving Australia Parliament, Rudd has served in senior roles for a range of international organisations and educational institutions including Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the University of Chicago. Receiving an honorary doctorate from ANU in 2016, Rudd was described as "a great Australian leader of international standing who continues to contribute to society."

Dr Charles Price’s impact can be felt in both the Burgmann and ANU community. As planning member and founder of Burgmann College, Charles (and his wife Elizabeth) played a crucial part in creating the community that Burgmann still represents today. In recognition, Burgmann established The Charles & Elizabeth Price Gardens surrounding the refurbished Undergraduate Courtyard on the back lawn in 2024. Dr Price was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2008.

At ANU, from 1952-1985 Price held Fellowships in the Department of Demography, Research School of Social Sciences. Price served effectively on many committees related to immigration and settlement, as an advisor to government. Consequently, the Burgmann-Price Bequest funds a scholar from a migrant family to Burgmann from year to year.

As planning member and founder of Burgmann College, Mr Douglas McAlpin played a crucial role in the formation of Burgmann in the 1970s. In tribute of his significant contribution to the College, he was conferred as an Honorary Fellow of Burgmann College in 2008.

McAlpin also made a significant impact outside of Burgmann, through his lifelong passion for Papa New Guinea. Having joined the Australian Army, he was sent to an allied air base in New Guinea in 1945. He was the first clerk of the Papua New Guinea Legislative Assembly. McAlpin moved to Canberra with his wife Gweneth, and worked at the ANU until the mid 1980s. In his memory, in 2019, the McAlpin family donated Australian Squadron to New Guinea by Commodore James E. Erskine, a gift Douglas received in 1984 from the Papua New Guinea Government to the ANU Library.