Governor-General of Australia honors Lea Waters

March 4, 2020

Australian Governor-General David Hurley recently appointed Center for Positive Organizations (CPO) faculty affiliate Lea Waters as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

The award is given to citizens who demonstrate service to a particular locality, field, or group. Waters—who specializes in positive education, positive parenting, and positive organizations—was recognized for her work in the fields of education and psychology.

“This is one of the highest Civilian Awards in Australia and was given to Lea for her long-term work addressing youth mental illness in Australia and for her leadership building the field of positive psychology both in Australia and internationally,” Waters’ website says.

Bestowing the award is among the governor-general’s ceremonial duties as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in Australia.

Waters is a professor and founding director of the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Melbourne.