Australia Day Honours List: Dr Justin Yerbury appointed as AM
An Illawarra researcher has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for his research into a cruel and currently incurable disease.
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The fight against motor neurone disease has always been a personal one for University of Wollongong researcher Dr Justin Yerbury.
Dr Yerbury lost his mother Pauline, sister Sarah, and other relatives to the disease, prompting him to give up his career as a pro-basketballer and turn to science to find answers about the cruel disease.
By the time he too developed symptoms in 2016, he was a world-renowned expert in MND (motor neurone disease) research.
While he now requires an electric wheelchair to get around, needs a ventilator to help him breath, and communicates by lip reading and using voice software co-ordinated by eye-gaze on his laptop computer, his fight to try and unlock the cause and cure for the disease hasn’t stopped.
His dedication to research into MND has made waves across the world, and now, the father of two has been honoured in the Australia Day 2020 Honours List.
Dr Yerbury has been appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education and research in the field of biological sciences, which he said came as a genuine shock.
“I am humbled by the recognition; the AM is a great honour. I was genuinely surprised,” he said.
“I was truly humbled that people would even consider me for this award. (It) is a reflection of the effort and support of many people, without whom my work would not be possible.”
More than 2000 people in Australia suffer from motor neurone disease, which causes progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. People with the disease progressively lose the use of their arms and legs, their ability to speak, swallow and breathe.
Dr Yerbury’s research focuses on determining the cause of the disorder and aims to increase our understanding of the molecular processes that result in MND.
“Time will tell how our work has influenced discovery,” he said.
“Our overall aim is to use our knowledge and understanding to find effective drugs, and we are actively pursuing a few leads.”
Dr Yerbury’s research has been vital and led to new insights into the disease across the world, but he says the highlight of his scientific career has the people he’s been able to work with along the way.
Mr Yerbury, who was the recipient of Wollongong’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ award at last year’s Australia Day awards thanked his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters for their continued support as he wins another award on the country’s national day of celebration.
“My family are very proud,” he said. “It means a lot to them as they are my biggest supporters.”
OTHER ILLAWARRA AUSTRALIA DAY HONOUREES:
AM: Dr Leoni Marilyn Degenhardt of Gerroa, for significant service to education through the independent schools sector.
OAM: Ms Noeline Mabel Brown of Mount Murray, for service to the performing arts as an actor and entertainer.
OAM: Mr Raymond Brown of Bulli, for service to conservation and the environment.
OAM: Mr Robert John Edwards of Corrimal, for service to the international community of Fiji.
OAM: Mr Richard John Farrant of Shell Cove, for service to golf.
OAM: Mrs Nancye Margaret Hawke of Gerroa, for service to the community of Gerroa.
OAM: Ms Colleen Mandicos of Wollongong, for service to aged welfare.