Professor Tracey Lynn Moroney, Monterey.
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Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the general division for service to medical education, particularly to nursing.
For the acting executive dean of the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health at the University of Wollongong, developing nurses' skills through education is one of her passions.
Despite spending more than 20 years as a nurse educator, and later, setting curriculum for nursing education, Professor Tracey Moroney, of Monterey, still sees herself first and foremost as a nurse.
After attending Peakhurst High School, she undertook studies at the University of Sydney and embarked on a career as a registered nurse, including senior positions.
She later swapped her uniform for a teaching position at University of Sydney, while also undertaking a PhD.
"Even as a clinical nurse I was always drawn to a teaching role," she said.
"I always believed in supporting nurses to be the best nurse they could be and to care for the sick and vulnerable.
"Supporting people to learn best practice is really important to me."
While she still has an active role in "supporting students and their learning", her career has more recently moved towards setting curriculum.
"The last few years I have been more involved in curriculum development and supporting others to teach," she said.
Professor Moroney, 54, said she had seen many changes in the profession during her career. She said nursing was now very much seen as a profession in its own right.
"The model of the nursing profession has changed," she said.
"The role of the registered nurse is moving away from the supportive role."
She said there was now much more emphasis on nurses continuing their education and learning new skills throughout their careers.
Professor Moroney said there had also been a move towards "nurse-led models of care" and she was passionate about "developing-up nurses" so they had the skills to provide the best level of care to the sick and vulnerable.
"I feel absolutely honoured to receive this award," she said.
"I just love what I do. I am a registered nurse first and just so passionate to support a profession that I absolutely adore."
