Suzanne Lazaroo
19 June 2024: Always striving to reach his personal best and treating everyone he meets with empathy, respect and compassion – that’s the approach that has led to both personal and professional fulfillment, said University of Canberra Emeritus Professor Elivio Bonollo AM, as he reflected on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours last week.
“These are challenging and difficult attributes to develop continuously – and probably difficult to fully or even partly achieve – but they can be very rewarding, and lead to happiness and good relationships in life,” he said.
One of Australia’s leading industrial design educators and researchers, Professor Bonollo is a design lecturer, researcher and PhD supervisor at the University’s Faculty of Arts and Design.
He has been an Emeritus Professor in Industrial Design at the University since 2003.
Professor Bonollo joins eight University alumni on this year’s honours list: James Eynstone-Hinkins PSM, Fiona MacDonald PSM, and Dr Jodie Ward PSM received Meritorious awards, while General Anthony Rawlins DSC AO, Brigadier Brendan Casey AM, Brigadier Duncan Hayward CSC AM, Captain Jody Bastian RAN CSC and Captain Benjamin Favelle RAN CSCreceived Order of Australia Military Division awards (see below for details).
“I’d like to congratulate all the UC community members who were recognised on this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list for their impactful contributions to community, region and nation,” said Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Lucy Johnston.
“It is wonderful to see Livio recognised with this honour. In addition to being a PhD supervisor, scholar and leader in industrial design, he co-created with Assistant Professor Dr Eddi Pianca, a patented beehive frame – which was UC’s first sale of intellectual property. And which is very fitting, as Livio is a prize-winning amateur beekeeper himself!”
Professor Bonollo was named a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to tertiary education – particularly his pioneering work in industrial design research and development.
Joining the University in 1997, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Environment Design, from 1997 to 1998; Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industrial Design, from 1999 to 2001; and the Director of the Design Research and Development Group, 2000-2003.
Reflecting on his approach to working with students and colleagues, Professor Bonollo said that he has always believed in offering support and encouragement.
"Academic studies can be stressful for both teachers and students at times, so creating a caring, equitable, friendly, patient, empathetic and compassionate environment, especially for undergraduate and postgraduate students, is important to me,” he said.
Professor Bonollo was also previously the Professor and Foundation Director of the Centre for Industrial Design at Monash University in Melbourne. He is the Principal Author and lead developer of the original Industrial Design degrees at RMIT and Monash University.
Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Bonollo has held many roles, including as the Vice-President of the Industrial Design Council of Australia, Victoria Chapter in 1982, and the Foundation Co-Director at the National Institute of Design in 1997.
In 2008, Professor Bonollo was conferred with the title of Cavaliere by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for his collaborative design work internationally. He has also been a visiting professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and at Ubon Ratchathani University in Thailand.
Professor Bonollo’s book, Product Design: A Course in First Principles was ranked by the international BookAuthority as one of the “Best 100 Books on Design of All Time” in 2020.
KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS 2024 FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA COMMUNITY
Order of Australia – General Division
Emeritus Professor Elivio Bonollo AM – Member of the Order of Australia
For significant service to tertiary education, particularly industrial design research and development.
Meritorious awards
James Eynstone-Hinkins PSM – Public Service Medal
For outstanding public service through his substantial contribution to the Australian Government in the field of data and statistics in public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Graduate Certificate in Statistics, 2011
Fiona MacDonald PSM – Public Service Medal
For outstanding public service in customer service, policy and program design and service delivery.
Executive Master of Public Administration, 2018
Jodie Ward PSM – Public Service Medal
For outstanding public service in advancing forensic human identification capabilities in Australia, particularly for the establishment of the Australian Federal Police National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons.
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, 2008
Former Adjunct Associate Professor, 2011-2021
Order of Australia - Military Division
General Anthony Rawlins DSC AO – Officer of the Order of Australia
For distinguished service in responsible positions as the Deputy Chief of Army and Head Force Design Division.
Master of Management in Defence Studies, 2002
Brigadier Brendan Casey AM – Member of the Order of Australia
For exceptional service to the Australian Army Reserve as Commander of the 8th Brigade, Commander of Operation AGED CARE ASSIST and as the Australian Army’s Adjutant General.
Graduate Diploma in Defence Management, 2005
Brigadier Duncan Hayward CSC AM – Member of the Order of Australia
For exceptional service in reforming recruiting practices to build an adaptable, scalable, modern recruiting system for the generation of Australian Defence Force capability.
Master of Management in Defence Studies, 2002
Captain Jody Bastian RAN CSC – Conspicuous Service Cross
For outstanding devotion to duty in managing the Defence response to cases of historical abuse as Director of the Defence Response Unit in the Australian Defence Force Headquarters.
Master of Management in Defence Studies, 2001
Captain Benjamin Favelle RAN CSC – Conspicuous Service Cross
For outstanding devotion to duty as Captain Defence Marine Support Services Group.
Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting, 2015
