Alison McCusker OAM (born 13 September 1933, Tocumwal, died 18 December 2015, Canberra) was an Australian botanist and science administrator noted for orchestrating the creation of the multi-volume Flora of Australia while serving as the first Director of Flora Programs at Australian Biological Resources Study.[1][2] In 1987 McCusker became Deputy Director of the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, a branch of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).[3][4] McCusker was a 2009 recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for her work on the Flora of Australia.[4]
The variety of her significant achievements make the career of botanist Alison McCusker especially notable. Whether she was teaching at the University of Ghana in west Africa, organising proposals for World Heritage listing, encouraging research in crop plants in developing countries, or planning the Flora of Australia project in Canberra, McCusker always made a huge contribution.
Alison McCusker was appointed first Director of flora programs at the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), and was instrumental in turning the Flora of Australia from a hopeful concept into viable project.