CIGRE Australia Members Recognised with Prestigious National and International Honours
CIGRE Australia is proud to celebrate the achievements of several members who have recently been recognised for their outstanding contributions to CIGRE and the power industry.
These prestigious awards highlight the depth of expertise, and commitment that Australian members bring to both the national and international CIGRE community.
Nine Members Awarded CIGRE Distinguished Member Status
Congratulations to the following CIGRE Australia members who have been awarded the CIGRE Distinguished Member Award 2026:
- Asif Bhangor
- Babak Badrzadeh
- Crina Costan
- Edward Wilson
- Genevieve Lietz
- Gregory Thorpe (posthumous award)
- Stephen Palmer
- Timothy Browne
- Victor Tan
The Distinguished Member Award recognises long-standing CIGRE members who have made significant contributions to their National Committee and actively participated in the technical activities of CIGRE over an extended period.
Although Gregory Thorpe sadly passed away before the announcement of this award, this recognition stands as a tribute to his lasting contribution to CIGRE and the industry.
Australian Members Receive CIGRE Technical Council Awards
CIGRE Australia is also delighted to recognise four members who have received a CIGRE Technical Council Award:
- Alex Cruickshank (Study Committee C5)
- Crina Costan (Study Committee B3)
- Genevieve Lietz (Study Committee C4)
- Tara-Lee Macarthur (Study Committee A2)
Presented every two years by the Chairman of the Technical Council, these awards recognise exceptional participation and contribution within CIGRE Study Committees. This is a highly prestigious award, with each of CIGRE’s 16 Study Committees able to honour just one recipient globally every two years.
The achievements of these members demonstrate Australia’s ongoing influence in shaping the future of power systems globally.
Professor Alex Baitch Awarded Member of the Order of Australia
CIGRE Australia extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Alex Baitch AM, who was recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List with appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Professor Baitch received this honour for his significant service to power system engineering and electrotechnical standards. His contribution has helped shape the development of Australia’s electricity sector and strengthened engineering practice both nationally and internationally.
This recognition is a fitting acknowledgement of a distinguished career which has included significant contributions to electricity system stability and efficiency, and to the advancement of technologies in the fast moving domain of distributed generation.
Celebrating Excellence Across the CIGRE Community
These achievements reflect the exceptional calibre of expertise within the CIGRE Australia community and the important role our members play in advancing the global energy transition.
On behalf of CIGRE Australia, we congratulate all award recipients. Their accomplishments continue to inspire the next generation of power system professionals and reinforce Australia’s strong presence within the international CIGRE network.