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King’s Birthday Honour for the ‘Mozart of Math’

Professor Garth Gaudry (left), head of Mathematics during Professor Terry Tao’s time at Flinders, was Terry’s masters adviser. He would meet with the young prodigy weekly, helping guide Terry’s path to Princeton University.

One of the world’s leading mathematicians and a Fields Medallist, Professor Terence Tao AC has received Australia’s highest civilian award in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

Recognised for his service to maths sciences, the global maths community, and to tertiary education and academia, Professor Tao is one of five people nationally to receive the top honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Currently a Professor of Maths at the University of California in Los Angeles, Professor Tao’s journey – from child prodigy at Flinders University to winner of the “Nobel Prize of mathematics “ at just 31 – represents the story of a generational talent whose contributions matter in his field and reach far beyond it.

A child genius, Professor Tao is one of the youngest students to ever enrol at Flinders where he graduated with a master’s degree at the age of 16. He completed his PhD at Princeton in the US, became UCLA’s youngest-ever full professor at the age of 24 and the youngest-ever winner of the Fields Medal at just 31.

Now known as a distinctive collaborator, his work spans everything from contributing to the operation of life-saving MRI systems to pure mathematics very few can understand.

Professor Terence Tao AC. Credit: UCLA.

Humbled by the honour and recognition, Professor Tao AC said he had an extraordinarily supportive education and upbringing in Australia.

“Which was crucial in getting me to where I am today,” Professor Tao said.

“I still maintain strong ties to my home country and continue to support the development of mathematical and scientific institutions in Australia.”

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling congratulated Professor Tao on the honour, acknowledging him as one of the University’s most distinguished alumni.

“Professor Tao’s academic journey began at Flinders, where he was among the youngest students ever admitted, completing his master’s degree while still a teenager,” Professor Stirling said.

“Even then, the Flinders community recognised his exceptional promise and sought to foster it – something now witnessed globally through his remarkable contributions to the field of mathematics which is changing lives. It is wonderful to see him receive this well-deserved recognition.”

The Governor-General has announced Honours and Awards for 949 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for conspicuous service.

Professor Tao is part of a group of 18 staff, alumni and associates of Flinders that have been recognised this year.

“The King’s Birthday Honours highlight the outstanding achievements of our staff, students, alumni and extended community that make us great, and we congratulate them,” Professor Stirling said.

Other recipients of King’s Birthday Honours with connections to Flinders University include:

  • Mr Anthony Kittel AM (DUniv ’18) For significant service to the electronics industry, and to the defence sector.
  • Dr Elizabeth Murphy AM (PhD(Med) ’07) For significant service to colorectal and general surgery, and to clinical education and training.
  • Professor John Olynyk AM (DM ’95)For significant service to the health sciences, and to gastroenterology and hepatology.
  • Professor Konrad Pesudovs AM (PhD(Med)’01)For significant service to optometry and ophthalmology research, and to clinical education and training.
  • Mr Luke Thomson AM (BA, DipEd ’88) For significant service to primary and secondary education, and to independent schools.
  • Professor Emerita Tracey Bunda AM For significant service to tertiary education and research, and to the Indigenous community.
  • The late Dr Malcolm Cook AM For significant service to international relations, to foreign policy, and to national security.
  • The late Mrs Carol Frances Cartwright OAM (GCertPubSecMgmt ‘01)For service to the museums and galleries sector
  • Mrs Tamara Joy Cavenett OAM (BBehavSc ‘04 BBehavSc(Hons) ’05)For service to psychology
  • Mr Paul Daly OAM (GCertPubSecMgmt ’14)For service to Australian rules football, and to the community of Onkaparinga
  • Mrs Genevieve Hebart OAM (DipAppSc(ComHlthNg) ’84, BNg ’90, GradCertHlth ’05)For service to the community of the Barossa, and to nursing
  • Dr Helen Roxburgh OAM (BM, BS ’85) For service to general practice, particularly in the areas of women’s health
  • Emeritus Professor Susan Sheridan OAM For service to the arts, and to the humanities.
  • Ms Kathryn Strohm OAM (GradDipHlthEd ‘86)For service to disability support.
  • Dr Christopher Verco OAM RFD (DM ’85) For service to medicine as an obstetrician.
  • Dr Lachlan Warren OAM (BM, BS ’80)For service to dermatology.
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