An Indigenous health campaigner who has devoted more than three decades to putting men's health on the public agenda has been named Queensland University of Technology's top graduate in the 2010 QUT Alumni Awards.
Dr Mick Adams was named the QUT Chancellor's Outstanding Alumnus Award winner at a breakfast ceremony in Brisbane this morning.
The award recognises outstanding graduates of QUT and its predecessor institutions, who have displayed exceptional professional, academic or research achievements and contributions to the community.
His ground-breaking PhD from QUT on Indigenous male reproductive health was built on more than 30 years' experience in liaison, training policy and senior management in the Northern Territory followed by numerous managerial positions.
Dr Adams' vast knowledge and practical experience within Indigenous communities has been utilised by peak national bodies including the National Health and Medical Research Council, where he is currently a research committee member.
Now, as founder of Fineline Consultancy, Dr Adams travels the country speaking to men's groups and at conferences about the need for equal recognition of men's health issues.
"A lot of resources go into mothers and babies and family health but not much into men's health and that contributes to men undervaluing or ignoring their health," Dr Adams said.
"I say to men that we need to look at the women's movement - they fought hard for the past 40 years to promote their recognition. Men have to do that too for themselves."
Fit and glowing with health, Dr Adams is the perfect role model.
"I've taken control of my health and I know to reach men. You have to ask them to think about why they want to live a long and healthy life," he said.
"Once they can find a reason such as seeing their grandchildren grow up, it has a positive effect on their life and they start to take charge of keeping themselves healthy. Otherwise public health messages are easily ignored."
Other QUT graduates to take out awards at this morning's ceremony included pharmacist Richard Malouf and ABC science guru Bernie Hobbs.
The winners are:
Chancellor's Outstanding Alumnus and Faculty of Health winner
Dr Mick Adams
Director, Fineline Consultancy
Special Excellence Award winner
Richard Malouf
Pharmacist
Outstanding Young Alumni Award winners
Lawyer and company director Anthony Smare
ABC political reporter Emma Griffiths
Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering winner
Mark Menhinnitt
Global Head Public Private Partnerships & Construction, Lend Lease Corporation
Faculty of Business winner
Shaun Scott
Chief executive officer, Arrow Energy Limited
Creative Industries Faculty winners
Matthew Tobin and Daniel Tobin
Principals and founders, Urban Art Projects
Faculty of Education winner
Shelley Peers
Project director, Primary Connections Project, Australian Academy of Science
Faculty of Law winner
Jacqui Payne
Magistrate, Brisbane Magistrates Court, Department of Justice and Attorney General
Science and Technology winner
Bernie Hobbs
Scientist and judge on ABC TV's New Inventors
Media contact - Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2130 s3.hutchinson@qut.edu.au
**High resolution photos from the event and of the winners are available for media use
