Australia Day honours

Nicole Roache, Marketing & Advancement Manager

Professor David Runia AM (OGC 1965)

Professor David Runia has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours. This prestigious recognition acknowledges his significant service to tertiary education and his contributions as an academic in the humanities and social sciences.

Born in the Netherlands, David moved to Geelong at the age of five. He attended The Geelong College, where his passion for classical languages was sparked by his Latin teacher, Michael Keary. Reflecting on his education, he said, “My love of the ancient world was inspired by my teachers at Geelong College.” This early interest led to a distinguished academic career spanning both Australia and the Netherlands, including ten years at Leiden University, where he held the Chair of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy.

In 2002, he returned to Australia to serve as Master of Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne, a role he held until 2016. “I very much enjoyed working [at Queen’s College] too, because very often you’re working with really talented young people who do need a bit of guidance at 18, 19 years old,” he shared. His leadership and mentorship left a lasting impact - not only raising academic standards but also fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and respect for scholarship. In recognition of the contribution he and his wife Gonni made to College life, the graduate building was recently renamed in their honour.

He later served as Director of the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at the Australian Catholic University from 2017 to 2018, and he continues as an Honorary Professor there.

Professor Runia’s scholarly work explores the interaction between Greek philosophy and JewishChristian thought, particularly the writings of Philo of Alexandria. His academic contributions have been recognised by his election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Beyond academia, Professor Runia has generously given his time to causes such as the Australian Friends of Vellore, where he holds roles including National Secretary and President of the Victorian branch.

Ever modest, he noted that it would have been “really nice” if the AM could have been jointly awarded to his wife, Gonni, as well.

David was inducted into the OGCA Gallery of Notable Old Collegians in 2016.

Dr David Hooke OAM (OGC 1964)

Dr David Hooke was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2021 Australia Day Honours. This recognition acknowledges his significant service to medicine, particularly in nephrology and aviation medicine.

For Dr David Hooke, the threads of medicine, aviation and service have been woven through a career spanning more than four decades.

Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2021 for his work in nephrology and aviation medicine, Dr Hooke said the recognition was unexpected. “When you retire, you assume you’ve faded into the background. I was absolutely chuffed.”

David’s journey began on the family farm at Beaufort. He was the first of four brothers to attend The Geelong College, boarding from 1963 to 1967. He was an active student - cadets, student committees, cox of the First VIII - and credits boarding with giving him independence, resilience and a deep appreciation for the opportunities that followed. “Between us, we racked up 32 years of boarding school,” he said. “It was an incredible investment by Mum and Dad. I’m very grateful.”

Medicine came later, after being inspired by the local GP in Beaufort. David eventually specialised in nephrology, drawn to the complexity of the field and the strong patient relationships it offered. His long medical career included senior roles at Monash Health, Cabrini, and Caulfield General, as well as decades of work in intensive care. “It was high pressure, but immensely rewarding,” he said. “You get to help people at their most vulnerable. It’s a privilege.”

Flying entered the picture early onand gave him a way to reach country patients. “I learnt to fly so I could provide medical services in rural areas,” he said. For nearly 30 years, he flew himself to Bairnsdale each month, offering specialist consultations and saving locals the long haul to Melbourne. “It was a win-win. I got to fly, and they got to stay local.”

That combination of medicine and aviation also shaped his military service. As part of the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve from 1986 to 2015, Dr Hooke was deployed to East Timor and Iraq, working in military hospitals under tough conditions. “It took me well out of my comfort zonebut I do like a challenge.”

Now retired at Buln Buln East, David and his wife Jenny are enjoying their garden, truffle patch, and aircraft hangar at nearby Drouin South. With three children and seven grandchildren, he says life has been full. “I’ve been lucky - great family, meaningful work, and a chance to give back. You can’t ask for much more.”

With thanks to the Warragul and Drouin Gazette