for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Harris Eyre, neuroscientist, entrepreneur and author Brentley Frazer, author Philip Freier, Anglican clergyman and current Archbishop of Melbourne Colin Grant, former head of Biosecurity Australia Julie-Ann Guivara, Australian diplomat Phillip Gwynne, author Julie Hall, World Health Organization Representative in the Philippines, and principal coordinator of international medical relief efforts for Typhoon Haiyan Richard Harris, Australian anaesthetist and cave diver who played a crucial role in the Tham Luang cave rescue Silma Ihram, activist Alex Jia, CEO of Longrich Group, China's biggest daily chemical manufacturer Joanna Mather, Australian Financial Review, Canberra bureau, 2013 Higher Education Journalist of the Year by Universities Australia and the National Press Club (Australia) Helen McGregor, geologist and climate change researcher, a Fellow with the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University Jan McLucas, Australian politician (Townsville CAE) Sue Meek, chief executive of the Australian Academy of Science Tony Mooney, former mayor of Townsville Shaun Nelson, Queensland politician Christina Ochoa, Spanish actress and marine biologist Curtis Pitt, Queensland Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Henry Reynolds, Australian historian Margaret Reynolds, Australian politician Glen Richards, entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Greencross Mark Robinson, Queensland politician Lindsay Simpson, journalist Natasha Smith, Australian diplomat Andrew Stoner, Deputy Premier of New South Wales, National Party Member for Oxley, New South Wales, in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Jan Strugnell, associate professor in the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture at James Cook University and the first JCU alumnus to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University Nicole Webster, a principal research scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science Ian Young, vice chancellor, Australian National University Honorary degrees Recipients of honorary degrees include: Tommy George (1928–2016), awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters for his work in ecology David Hudson (1962–), Aboriginal musician Silma Ihram (1654–), pioneer of Muslim education in Australia Betsy Jackes (1935–), sixth JCU Doctor of Science honoris causa (2022) for enduring contributions to scholarship, community engagement, culture, achievements to the university and relating to tropical flora in northern Queensland Eddie Mabo (1936–1992), awarded an honorary Doctorate of the university for his efforts in improving the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people George Musgrave (1921–2006), awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters for his work in traditional law Percy Trezise