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ACU Chancellor receives papal knighthood

Australian Catholic University Chancellor, The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC, has received a papal knighthood for his contributions to the Church and broader community.

Mr Daubney was inducted into the ancient papal Order of St Gregory the Great at St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane this week.

Brisbane Archbishop Shane Mackinlay recommended Mr Daubney for the honour, which recognises personal service to the Holy See.

Mr Daubney joins other notable Australian recipients, including former ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven and former ACU Chancellor and Governor General Peter Cosgrove. He said he was "deeply humbled" by the honour.

"I am deeply humbled by this award and am profoundly grateful to my family, my friends and colleagues, and all who have been my companions on my lifelong journey of faith," Mr Daubney said.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis congratulated Mr Daubney on the honour.

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Martin on this remarkable achievement," Professor Skrbis said.

"This honour reflects Martin's significant contributions to Catholic education, and his standing in the global Catholic community."

The Order of St Gergory the Great, established in 1831, is conferred by the Pope to honour people who have shown exemplary service to the Church in their professional and personal lives.

Mr Daubney is well known in the Australian legal community. Following a career as a leading barrister, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2007, and as president of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2017. Before his appointment to the bench, he served for many years on the Council of the Bar Association of Queensland, including as vice-president in 2005 and president in 2006.

He has also occupied leadership positions in numerous Church, community and cultural organisations.

In 2018 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, to education, and to the community.