Several prominent Catholics have been honoured in the 2026 Australia Day awards for services to the community through aged care, maritime welfare, health and more. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The Australia Day honours are bestowed onto active and dedicated members of the community who often have decades of service under their belt in a wide variety of fields.
There are four levels of awards, beginning with Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM), Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Officer of the Order of Australia (OA), and at the highest level, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Australia Day celebrations took place across the country and even in Rome, with parishes and chapels praying especially for the country at Masses, including at the Domus Australia guesthouse, where Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP preached on Australia’s many gifts and its challenges.
Former New South Wales premier and senator Kristina Keneally was awarded an OA for her service to the Parliament of Australia and NSW, particularly as the state’s first female premier, from 2009 to 2011, which she said left her “heart full of gratitude.”
Other Catholics receiving OAMs include Michael Kelly from Yowie Bay, honoured for his service to seafarers’ welfare and to the maritime transport industry, and Robert Kirby for services to Sydney.
Mr Kelly is involved in several maritime organisations, including volunteering for seafarers’ charity Stella Maris and organising the annual Christmas seafarer gift hamper since 2018
Mr Kirby has a long history of service, being a part of the Order of Malta since 1977, and the Rotary Club of Iron Cove since 1981
Other members of the Order of Malta also received OAMs, with Gerard O’Donnell and Shaun Bonett both honoured for service to the community through a range of organisations.
Other Catholics receiving awards include Dr Andrew Sindone who was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (OA) for “significant service to cardiology, and to cardiovascular disease research,” Nicholas Mersiades who received an Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) for “significant service to aged welfare” and Anthony Keating who received an OAM for “service to the community through a range of organisations.”
MacKillop Family Services board chair Charles Reis and previous board chair Brian Keane also received OAMs in this year’s honours list.
For a comprehensive list of this year’s Australia Day Honours recipients, visit the Governor-General’s website.
FULL STORY
‘Full of gratitude’: Catholics among those honoured at Australia Day awards (The Catholic Weekly)
MacKillop Leaders Honoured with OAM for Outstanding Community Service (MacKillop)
