Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asialink Awards

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ernest Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, AC, CMG, OBE (12 July 1907 – 2 July 1993) was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership in Australia-Asia relations.

The Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asialink Awards Program was established to:

promote Sir Edward’s vision for peace and prosperity in the region through people-to-people exchange and interaction
recognise and reward excellence and the potential for excellence in individuals committed to tangibly enhancing Australia-Asia relations
establish and expand networks between a growing number of Asia-capable Australians in Australia and the region.

The Dunlop Asialink Dinner

The Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asialink Dinner is Asialink’s signature annual event celebrating achievements in advancing Australia’s engagement with Asia. It is usually held in November or December.

The Dunlop Asialink Medal

The highlight of the evening is the awarding of the Dunlop Asialink Medal, presented each year to an individual for outstanding achievement in improving Australia-Asia relations and enhancing the quality of life in the region.

The medal is presented to an Australian who has shown long-term commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region and improving Australia-Asia relations. Candidates for this award are nominated annually and the medal is awarded at the annual Dunlop Asialink Lecture.

Criteria

The following key selection criteria (in order of priority) is used by the Dunlop Asia Medal’s Selection Committee to evaluate nominations for the Medal:

outstanding long-term commitment to developing relations in a given field between Australians and people from one or more of the countries of Asia
achievements that go beyond the requirements of the their work
the enduring humanitarian quality of the work undertaken
evidence of self-sacrifice throughout their career.

Nominations

Nominations are requested in March and the closing date for receipt of nominations for the Dunlop Asialink Medal is in August each year.

It is Asialink’s policy to retain nominations for five years after which a separate nomination will be required in order for the nominee to continue to be considered for the Dunlop Asialink Medal in subsequent years. However, we would be glad to receive any additional information or materials at any time if you feel these would enhance the nomination.

Dunlop Asialink Medal recipients

2024: Professor Sean Turnell

2023: John McCarthy AO

2022: The Hon Julie Bishop

2019–20: Mrs Ziyin Wang Gantner

2019: Mr Carrillo Gantner

2018: Mr Peter N Varghese AO

2017: Sir Rod Eddington AO

2016: Professor Heather Jeffery AO

2015: Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC, QC

2014: Gabi Hollows AO

2013: John So AO JP

2012: The Hon. Alexander Downer AC

2011: Geraldine Cox AM

2010: Professor Ross Garnaut AO

2009: Professor Nancy Viviani AO

2008: Richard A Woolcott AC

2007: Tim Fischer AC

2006: Sister Mary Theodore OAM

2005: Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large, The Australian

2004: Dr Harold Clough AO, OBE, FTS

2003: Dr John Yu AC

2002: The Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC and Mrs Margaret Whitlam AO

2000: Mr Bill Armstrong AO

1999: Professor Stephen Fitzgerald AO

1998: Professor John Pearn AM, RFD

1997: Professor Walter Taylor OAM

1996: Dr George Tippett AM

1995: Professor Peter Drysdale AO

1994: Professor Francis Billson AO

The Dunlop Asialink Lecture

The Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Asialink Lecture was inaugurated in December 1993 by Prime Minister Paul Keating. It commemorates the life of Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop, one of Australia’s most revered citizens and a pioneer of Australia-Asia relations.

The Dunlop Asialink Lecture is an opportunity for eminent Australians and Asians to present their vision for Australia-Asia relations.

The lecture consistently attracts high profile speakers and is the occasion for awarding the Dunlop Asialink Medal and Dunlop Asialink Fellowships.

See full list of Dunlop Asialink lectures.