King’s Birthday Honours 2023

June 11, 2023 by J-Wire Staff
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We are just about to do the math, but this may be a record number of honorees.  Join us in wishing each every one of the a hearty mazel tov!

OFFICER [AO] IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Professor Michael HOROWITZ, Unley Park SA 5061

For distinguished service to endocrinology, particularly diabetes, as a researcher, educator and clinician.

Michael Horowitz

Royal Adelaide Hospital

  • Director, Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, since 1997.
  • Chair, Project Grants Committee.
  • Member, Research Committee.

The University of Adelaide

  • Personal Chair, since 1995.
  • Director, Centre of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, since 2007.

Publications

  • Author, approximately 765 papers.
  • Author, approximately 40 book chapters.
  • Editor, World Journal of Diabetes; Nutrients.

Professional Associations

  • Chair, Research Advisory Committee, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2009-2021
  • Fellowship, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, since 2014.
  • Member, Endocrine Society of Australia, since 1984.
  • Member, Australian Diabetes Society, since 1984.

National Health and Medical Research Council

  • Member, Assigners Academy, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017.
  • Member, Development Grants Peer Review Committee, 2016.
  • Member, Peer Review Committee, 2007-2008.

Other

  • Chair, Human Ethics Committee, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, 2002-2009.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Camillo Golgi Prize, European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), 2022.
  • 75th Anniversary Award, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2014.
  • Masters Award for Sustained Achievement in Digestive Sciences, American Gastroenterological Association, 2010.
  • Kellion Award, Australian Diabetes Society, 2009.
  • Eric Susman Prize, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, 2000.
  • Distinguished Research Prize, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, 1999.
  • Elder Prize for Scholarship, University of Adelaide, 1995.

For Michael Horowitz, this Award signifies that he has been “most fortunate” in his life.

He credits the influence of his parents, his wife, Professor Karen Jones, who is also a scientist at the University of Adelaide and his colleagues as being seminal to his success.

“Both my parents came to Australia as refugees in 1939. This had a profound influence on me.

My mother was studying science in Prague when the SS arrived. She was the only woman doing so at the time. When she arrived in Adelaide, she spoke French, German and Czech and was allowed to sit her examinations here in French.

My Polish father ended up at the University of Adelaide studying agricultural sciences” he said.

 He went on to say that the colleagues he works with at The University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital are part of a strong research group with complementary skills. Their goal is translating nutritional science to good health.


Clinical Professor Ruth MARSHALL, Walkerville SA 5081

For distinguished service to rehabilitation medicine, particularly to people living with spinal cord injury or disorder, as a leader, mentor and clinician.

Ruth Marshall

International Spinal Cord Society

  • President, since 2020. (First woman elected to the position of President).
  • Chair, Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Dataset Committee, 2007-2014.
  • Fellow, International Spinal Cord Society, 2021
  • Member, 35 years.

Australia and New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Society

  • Former President.
  • Former Executive Member.

Board Appointments

  • Chair, Board of Governors, Australian Spinal Cord Register, since 2004.
  • Member, various committees including; Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM), AFRM Education Committee, and Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), since 1995.
  • Member, Grants Advisory Committee, RACP, 2017-2021.
  • Lead, Continuing Professional Education Committee, AFRM, 2007-2016.
  • Member, National Road Trauma Advisory Committee, 1990-1992.
  • Member, WorkCover South Australia Board, 1987-1991.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

  • Medical Director, South Australia Spinal Cord Injury Service, South Australia Health, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre 1986-2022 and Repatriation Health Precinct, since 2022.
  • Consultant in Charge, Spinal Cord Injury, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Adelaide Hospital, since 1986.

The University of Adelaide Medical School

  • Clinical Professor, since 2021.
  • Clinical Associate Professor, 2014-2021.

Motivation Australia

  • Founding Board Member, since 2006.
  • Life Member.

Jewish Community

  • Member, Beit Shalom Synagogue Choir.

 Awards and Recognition include:

  • AMA (South Australia) Award for Services to Medicine in South Australia, 2014.
  • William Wyatt Orator, Royal Adelaide Hospital Foundation Day Service, 2011.
  • President’s Award, Paraquad South Australia, 2006.
  • Life Membership, Paraplegic Benefit Fund Australia, 2005.
  • Life Membership, Paraquad South Australia, 1998.

“I am somewhat overwhelmed, but pretty chuffed and honoured” Ruth Marshall told J-Wire.

Ruth Marshall considers herself “incredibly privileged” to have found rehabilitation medicine early in her career.

“To help people who are facing incredible, sometimes unexpected, problems in their lives is, and has been, a privilege” she said.

“There are so many options in medicine, and sometimes many of us do not know what we want to do.  I am lucky that I found my slot early in my career when I ended up in spinal cord injury as a 2nd year post-graduate.  Thirty-seven years on I am yet to get bored.

I fell in love with the idea of helping people who cannot necessarily be cured with a scalpel or medication.  Working together with a wide range of allied health professionals towards rehabilitation and empowering those who need the help has been a privilege” she said.

She remembers wishing her patients could have a mobile phone – long before they had been invented.

“I am lucky to have found a meaningful way to help people who need it.  I don’t want to retire” she said.

 


Orwell Peter PHILLIPS, Paddington NSW 2021

For distinguished service to heritage conservation, to architecture, and to professional organisations.

Peter Phillips

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

  • Secretary-General, 2017-2020.
  • International Vice-President, 2014-2017.
  • Board Member, current.
  • Member, World Heritage Panel, 2015-2022.
  • Member, Sustainable Development Goals Working Group, since 2018.
  • Expert Member, International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability, since 2013.
  • Expert Member, International Scientific Committee on Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage, since 2008.
  • Member, International Statutes Working Group, 2011-2014.
  • Chair, Membership and Statutes Task Team, 2006-2009.
  • Member, Credentials Committee, ICOMOS General Assembly, Xian, 2005.

ICOMOS Australia

  • President, 2005-2008.
  • Treasurer, 2003-2005.

Heritage Council of New South Wales

  • Member, Technical Advisory Committee, since 2016.
  • Chair, Fire Access and Services Advisory Panel, 1989-1995, and Member, 1984-2006.
  • Member, Education and Publications Committee, 1991-1993.
  • Council Member, 1990-1993.
  • Member, Technical Advisory Group, 1988-1998.

Heritage and Architecture Consultancy

  • Member, Design Review Panel, Sydney Metro, since 2016.
  • Member, RailCorp Heritage Architects Panel, 2011-2015.
  • Honorary Consulting Architect to the Great Synagogue, Sydney, 1997-2015.
  • Maintenance Architect, Justice and Police Museum, 1997-2011.
  • Heritage Advisor, City of Sydney, 1999-2003.
  • Independent Heritage Specialist, Redfern Waterloo Authority Heritage Task Force, 2010-2011.

Royal Institute of Architects, New South Wales Chapter

  • Member, Professional Development Committee, 1988-1989, and 2003-2007.
  • Chair, Historic Buildings Committee, 1988-1992, Vice-Chair, 1983-1988, and Member, 1981-2004 and 1977-1979.
  • Member, Environment Board, 1983-1992.

Royal Australian Institute of Architects

  • Life Fellow, 2011.
  • New South Wales Representative, Information Committee, 1984-1988.
  • Member, Architecture Australia Review Committee, 1985.
  • Fellow, 1992-2011.
  • Associate, 1982-1992.
  • Chartered Architect, since 1981.

National Trust of Australia – New South Wales

  • Member, Energy Australia National Trust Heritage Awards Jury, 2010.
  • Member, Historic Buildings Committee, 1983-1996.
  • Member, Trust Council, 1984-1986.

Professional Associations – Other

  • Member, Association for Preservation Technology, since 1990.
  • Member, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, since 1995.
  • Alternate Member, Access Advisory Committee, NSW Building Professionals Board, 2011-2016.
  • Associate, Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia, 1993-2015.
  • Member, Royal Institute of British Architects, since 1981.
  • Chartered Architect, United Kingdom, since 1981.

Education

  • Casual Lecturer, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, 2005-2019.
  • Lecturer in Building Restoration, Randwick College of TAFE, 1986-1988.
  • Project Fellow, Economic Conservation and Recycling of Buildings, Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, 1989.

Orwell and Peter Phillips

  • Principal, since 1982.
  • Director, since 2015.

Alan SCHWARTZ AM, Toorak VIC 3142

For distinguished service to the community through philanthropic endeavours, and to sustainable social benefit initiatives.

Alan Schwartz

Philanthropy Australia

  • President and Chairman, 2014-2019.
  • Former Board Member.

Swinburne University

  • Council Member, 2014-2019.
  • Lead Independent Director, joint venture with SEEK Limited and Swinburne Online.

Other

  • Founder, Native Plant Project, 2018.
  • Founder, Universal Commons Project, 2018.

Trawalla Group

  • Managing Director, since 2007.
  • Founder, 2004.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Member of the Order of Australia, 2007.
  • Centenary Medal, 2003.

“I was delighted to receive the award because I know it means that my peers think I deserve it.

Community work is reward in itself, but recognition is welcome and very much appreciated” said Alan Schwartz.

“I received an AM a few years ago for the work I did in leading the merger of Jewish Community Services and Montefiore homes to create Jewish Care, and for my role as the inaugural President.

Those eight years were amongst the most fulfilling in my life and whetted my appetite for more.

The AO was for work I did as President of Philanthropy Australia – the peak philanthropic body in Australia. I am glad that my peers deemed the effort worthy of an AO – it was certainly a lot of hard work – and also very enjoyable.

The most rewarding part of serving community, philanthropy and social activism, is the friendships and comradery that civil society can promote – shared purpose and shared endeavour. I have made many dear friends in my community activities.

I feel lucky – rather than proud – to have a bit of gift in bringing together people with divergent interests and values to pursue a common goal” he said.


Professor John Raymond ZALCBERG OAM, Caulfield North VIC 3161

For distinguished service to oncology as a clinician-researcher, and as an advocate for those living with cancer.

Monash University

  • Head, Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing a

    John Zalcberg

    nd Health Sciences, since 2014.

  • Inaugural Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology, since 2016.
  • Honorary Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, 2003-2014.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

  • Chief Medical Officer, 2007-2013.
  • Professor and Director, Division of Cancer Medicine, 1997-2014.
  • Consultant Medical Oncologist, 2014-2016.
  • Founder, Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, 2013.
  • Former Chair and Member, various Boards and Committees.

National Health and Medical Research Council

  • Head, Cancer Research, Medical Research Future Fund, current.
  • Member, Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Working Committee, 2020-2022.
  • Member, Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Peer Review Panel, 2019.
  • Member, Assigners Academy, 2017-2019.
  • Member, Clinical Trials Portal Advisory Committee, 2014-2016.
  • Member, Research Translation Faculty – Cancer Control Steering Group, 2013-2015.
  • Member, Clinical Trials Working Group, 2012-2013
  • Member, Academy, 2009-2012.

Australian Clinical Trials Alliance

  • Founding Director and Inaugural Chair, 2014-2021.
  • Board Member, since 2014.

Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group

  • Board Chair, 1991-2014.
  • Co-Founder, 1991.
  • Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, 1991-2014.
  • Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, since 1991.
  • Member, International Development Committee, since 2014.
  • Co-Founder, Lorne Cancer Conference.

Cancer Drugs Alliance

  • Co-Chair, 2012-2017.
  • Co-Founder, 2012. 

Clinical Oncology Society of Australia

  • Former President.
  • Co-Founder, Teretrials Model, 2017.
  • Member, Adolescents and Young Adults Steering Group, 2011-2014.

Board Appointments

  • Board Member, Cancer Institute New South Wales.
  • Board Member, Praxis Australia, current.
  • Co-Chair, Steering Committee, All.Can Cancer Initiative, since 2017.
  • Co-Chair, National Oncology Alliance, since 2018.
  • Non-Executive Director, Cancer Trails Australia, 2003-2014.
  • Member, Lipotek, since 2019.
  • Non-Executive Director, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, 2013-2019.
  • Member, Consultative Council, Victorian Cancer Agency, 2007-2012.
  • Honorary Senior Associate, Melbourne Branch, Ludwig Institute, 1995-2012.
  • Member, Victorian Policy Advisory Committee on Clinical Practice and Technology, 2007-2012.

Professional Appointments

  • Member, Management Committee for Revision of Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer, Cancer Council Australia, since 2015.
  • Chair, Medical Access Program Committee, Medical Oncology Group of Australia, since 2018.
  • Member, Clinical Registry Working Party, Brain Cancer Biobanking Australia, since 2019.
  • Member, Clinical Trails Advisory Committee, Cancer Council Victoria, since 2019.
  • Honorary Associate, Clinical Trails Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 2001-2017.
  • Member, Advisory Committee, Centre for Palliative Care, 2002-2014.
  • Member, Health Care Consumers Association of the ACT, 2004-2014.
  • Chair, Cancer Research Grants Committee, Pfizer Australia, 2008-2014.
  • Member, National Framework for Consumer Involvement in Cancer Control, National Reference Group, Cancer Australia, 2011.
  • Member, Research Working Party, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, 2011-2012.
  • Member, Colorectal Working Party, Australian Cancer Network, 1993-2010.
  • Member, Standing Committee on Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, 1996-2008.

Clinical Appointments

  • Consultant Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health, since 2016.
  • Honorary Visiting Medical Officer, Epworth Medical Centre, since 2018.
  • Honorary Visiting Medical Officer, Cabrini Health, since 2018.
  • Member, Clinical Trials Expert Advisory Group, Youth Cancer Service, since 2017.
  • Honorary Oncologist, Department of Oncology, St Vincent’s Hospital, 2007-2014.
  • Oncologist, Epworth Hospital, 2006-2011. 

International Appointments

  • Member, International Trial Management Committee, Alanine Aminotransferase Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (ALT GIST) Trial, since 2015.
  • Member, Hong Kong Phase 1 Joint Scientific Committee, Gastrointestinal Cancer and Drug Development, 2015-2021.
  • Member, Inaugural British Columbia Cancer Agency Executive Advisory Board, Canada, 2018.
  • Board Member, Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Institute, New Zealand, 2011-2014.
  • Member, Scientific Committee, World Congress on GI Cancer, Asian Perspectives, 2008.

 Publications

  • Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Advanced Therapies and Medical Innovation Sciences, 2015-2019.
  • Associate Editor, BioMed Central, 2015-2019.
  • Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Gastric Cancer, 2012-2019.
  • Member, Editorial Board, Colorectal Cancer, 2011-2019.
  • Member, Editorial Board, Oncology Times, 2008-2011.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Distinguished Service Award, Australian Red Cross, 2018.
  • Inaugural Tony Charlton Chair of Oncology, Alfred Health and Monash University, 2016.
  • John Zalcberg OAM Award for Excellence in Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group Research, named in his honour, since 2015.
  • Tom Reeve Award, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, 2014.
  • Cancer Achievement Award, Medical Oncology Group of Australia, 2011.
  • Order of Australia Medal, 2007.

“I’m very honoured and humbled to have received this award,” said John Zalcberg.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with many dedicated and committed people – clinicians, researchers, advocacy groups, consumers, Government personnel and those on Boards concerned with health care or who work in the healthcare industry.  All of them have shared a passion for better outcomes for patients.

It is to these many colleagues that I am deeply grateful.

All this work has been about improving patient outcomes. Whether it is working to ensure that everyone receives the highest quality care, or to develop new evidence to improve outcomes through clinical trials or ensuring patient have access to the many new drugs available that might help them.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and love of my family – my wife Lynette and our two children (Nicole and David and their families)” he said.


MEMBER [AM] IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

 

Anton BLOCK, Malvern East VIC

For significant service to the Jewish community in Australia, and to the law.

Anton Block

Executive Council of Australian Jewry

  • Immediate Past President, since 2020.
  • President, 2016-2019.
  • Executive Member and Vice President, World Jewish Congress, 2016-2019.
  • Board Member, Conference on Jewish MaterialClaims Against Germany, 2016-2019.
  • Executive Member, since 2015.
  • Victorian Councillor, since 2015, and 2000-2008.

B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission

  • Chairman, 2010-2012.
  • Board Member, 2005-2013.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria

  • President, 2005-2008.
  • Vice-President, 2000-2005.
  • Executive Member, 1998-2014.

St Kilda Hebrew Congregation

  • President, 2012-2015 and 2020-2021.
  • Conductor, High Holidays Adele Southwick Synagogue Choir, since 2008.
  • Interim Conductor, St Kilda Hebrew Congregation Choir, 2019-2022.
  • Member, since 2007.

North Eastern Jewish Centre

  • Honorary Solicitor, 1995-2015.
  • Conductor, Synagogue Choir, 1999-2006.
  • Member, 1987-2006.
  • Board Member, 1994-2004.
  • President, 1996-1998.
  • Former Vice President, Secretary and Youth Committee Chairperson.

Jewish Care Victoria

  • Board Member, 1991-1993.

B’nai Mitzvot – Young Adult Community Service

  • Co-founder, 1991.
  • President, 1991-1993.
  • Executive Member, 1991-1998

Community – Other

  • President, Jewish Emergency Management Plan Inc, 2005-2008.
  • Member, B’nai B’rith Young Adults Chapter, 1990-1993.
  • Honorary Solicitor, National Council of Jewish Woman of Australia, since 2015.
  • Former Member, Steering Committee, Strategic Review of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria.
  • Member, Melbourne Steering Committee, Jewish Community Attitudinal Survey – Gen08 Survey, c2010-2011.

KCL Law

  • Principal Lawyer, Litigation Team, since 2009.
  • Head, Owners Corporation Practice, since 2009.
  • Co-Head, Family Law Practice, since 2013.
  • Principal Lawyer, since 2009.

Law – Other

  • Partner, Rigby Cooke, 2002-2009.
  • Member, Law Institute of Victoria, since 1996.
  • Member, Strata Community Association Victoria Division, since 2015.
  • Admitted to practice, Supreme Court of Victoria, since 1996.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • General Sir John Monash Award, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, 2012.
  • Young Citizen of the Year, City of Manningham, 1992.

Anton Block said: “I’m very honoured to receive the recognition for the work that I’ve done over the years for the Jewish community around the country, so it’s it felt quite humbling.

What was achieved in both roles as ECAJ president and the JCCV president  stand out above the rest of my achievements, because my responsibility was to the Jewish community of Australia, in the context of ECAJ and the Jewish community of Victoria in the context of the JCCV. .The responsibility and the importance of what we were doing there were most significant.”


Rita ERLICH, Kew East VIC 3102

Rita ERLICH   Photo:  Max Moussa

For significant service to the tourism and hospitality industry in Victoria.

The Age Good Food Guide

  • Contributor, since 2000.
  • Co-Editor, 1983-1998.

The Age

  • Senior Writer, 1994-1997.
  • Epicure Editor, 1992-1994.
  • Senior Journalist, 1979-1981, and 1989-1992.

Journalism

  • Columnist, Melbourne Express, 2001.
  • Columnist, The Australian, 1998-1999.
  • Public Relations, Victorian Department of Agriculture, 1989.
  • Freelance Writer, 1981-1989.
  • Journalist, The Sun, 1976-1979.
  • Former Food and Wine Editor, Coast and Country magazine.
  • Former Editor, Your Life Your Retirement.
  • Contributor, Qantas magazine, and Organic Gardener magazine.
  • Broadcaster, Travel Writers Radio (Professional Association of Lifestyle and Travel Writers).

Other

  • Member, Melbourne Steering Committee, Great Wine Capitals Global Network, since 2001.
  • Member, Food and Wine Tourism Council, 2013-2016.
  • Committee Member, Musica Viva Melbourne, 1998-2013.
  • Director, Harvest Picnic Foundation, 1989-2010.
  • Member, Food Safety Council, 1997-2002.
  • Former President and Member, Wine Press Club of Victoria.
  • Former Member, Wine Educators Society of Victoria.

Publications include: 

  • The Makers: a story of food, family and foreigners (Hardie Grant) 2015.
  • A Cook’s Story (with Scott Pickett) (EBK), 2014.
  • The Road to QV: The Red Spice Road Story (ed) (Crimson Cartwheel), 2013.
  • Melbourne by Menu: the story of Melbourne’s restaurant revolution (Slattery Media), 2012.
  • More than French, with Philippe Mouchel (Slattery Media) 2011.
  • 50 Fabulous Chocolate Cakes (Anne O’Donovan), 1995; 2011.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Legend, 2010
  • Grand Chancelier, Academie Universelle du Cassoulet, 2019.
  • Winner, features section, Kellogg’s Award for Excellence in Nutrition Journalism, 1992; 1993.

When asked what receiving the award meant to her, Rita Erlich said that it means a lot, more than she thought it would.

“It is a great honour to have one’s work recognised as being important on a national level. This is a recognition of a life’s work writing and talking about food and drink, restaurants, producers, regions, and I find myself using the words everyone does.

Being honoured, feeling humble. There is also something very special about the timing – it’s my father’s yahrzeit this weekend.

“It was very important to edit The Age Good Food Guide with Claude Forell for as long as I did (15 years), all the books have been important, all the informal support I have given others matters to me.

So is the sense of having recognized early the value of people and what they were doing.

For the first decade or two I was writing about food and producers, there were almost no public relations companies, no social media.

So often people speak to me and say that I was the first to recognize what they were doing, or, as someone said recently: “You were with me at the beginning.”

What matters most of all to me is the sense that I have, through my work, earned and maintained a good name.

The other thing, of course, is that I am not done yet. I’m still writing – in the middle of a couple of books” she told J-Wire.


Professor Michele Bianca GROSSMAN, VIC

Michele Grossman

For significant service to tertiary education, particularly to research, and to social welfare initiatives.

Deakin University

  • Director, Centre for Resilience and Inclusive Societies (CRIS), current.
  • Professor and Research Chair in Diversity and Community Resilience, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, since 2017.
  • Founder and Convenor, AVERT (Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism) Research Network, current.

Victoria University

  • Director, Centre for Cultural Diversity and Wellbeing, 2013-2017.
  • Professor, Deputy Director, Research and Program Leader, Mobilities, Transitions and Resilience, 2012-2013.
  • Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development, 2008-2012.
  • Associate Dean, Research and Research Training, 2005-2012.

Victoria Police

  • Member, Chief Commissioner’s Human Rights Strategic Advisory Committee, 2014-2023.
  • Member, Transparency and Accountability Advisory Committee, Priority Communities Division, 2018-2020.
  • Member, External Education Strategy Advisory Group, 2014-2016.

Social Welfare

  • Member, Racial Profiling Project Expert Advisory Committee, Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre, 2017-2019.
  • Member, Standing Panel for Capability Support Services, Australian Federal Police, since 2018.
  • Expert Reference Group Member, Research Institute for Social Cohesion, Ministerial Taskforce on Social Cohesion, Community Resilience and Violent Extremism, Victoria State Government, 2015-2019.
  • Committee Member, Racism and Anti-Discrimination Advisory Committee, VicHealth, 2014-2016.
  • Member, Ministerial Advisory Council, Multicultural Affairs, Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria, 2015-2018.
  • Expert Advisor, Cultural Diversity Social Enterprise, Melbourne City Mission, 2013-2015.

International

  • Robert Schuman (Distinguished Scholar) Fellow, European University Institute in Florence, 2018-2022.
  • Visiting Professor, School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, since 2018.

Other

  • Volunteer English Language Tutor, Sudanese-Australian Integrated Learning Program, 2005-2022.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Walter McRae Russell Prize, Association for the Study of Australian Literature, 2015.

“It is a thrill to receive this national recognition for the work I have done” said Michele Grossman.

“It has a special meaning for me. A third generation New Yorker, I migrated to Australia in 1987 and became an Australian citizen in 1994.

“To receive recognition in my adopted homeland has a special resonance for me and I am humbled to be recognised this way.

“As I understand it, this Award recognises my longstanding interest in promoting the benefits of cultural diversity and pluralism in our democratic society.

“I hope I have been able to strengthen Australian national cohesion and wellbeing” she said.

 


Angela Jeanne KARPIN, Redfern NSW 2016

Angela Karpin

For significant service to the judiciary, and to the law, and to mental health governance.

County Court of Victoria

  • Reserve Judge, 2014-2019.

District Court of New South Wales

  • Acting Judge, 2005-2008.
  • Judge, 1991-2005.
  • Deputy President and Head of Legal Services Division, Administrative Decisions Tribunal, 2005-2008.

Local Court of New South Wales

  • Deputy Chief Magistrate, 1988-1991.
  • Magistrate, 1985-1991.
  • Solicitor, 1980-1985.

Mental Health Review Tribunal, New South Wales

  • Deputy President, since 2015.

New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry

  • Chair, Ethics Committee, 2004-2016.
  • Chair, Community Outreach Committee, 2007-2012.
  • Chair, Members Board, 1998-2007.
  • Honorary Fellow, since 2010.

New South Wales Law Reform Commission

  • Part-time Law Reform Commissioner, 1994-2006.
  • General Editor, Link.
  • Member, Editorial Board, Criminal Law Journal.

Other

  • Chair, Monitoring and Implementation Committee, Mental Health Act, New South Wales Department of Health, 1990-1992.
  • Benefactor, National Patrons Program, Australian Chamber Orchestra, current.
  • Former Committee Member, Gordon Garden Club, Garden Clubs of Australia.

 Publications

  • Co-Author, Booklet, 70 years – Celebrating the First 70 Years 1950-2020, Garden Clubs of Australia, 16p, 2020.
  • Co-Author, Booklet, 60th Anniversary, Garden Clubs of Australia, 15p, 2010.
  • Contributor – forward, Book, Corruption in High Places, The Key Witness in the Justice Murphy Scandal Gives His Side of the Story, 2021.

“I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law even though my father did not approve” says Angela Karpin.

She prevailed. In her day, women did not work, they got married she was told.

“I am most grateful that I was able to become a lawyer and had an enormous amount of luck. I loved being in the law” she told J-Wire.

She particularly enjoyed her involvement with mental health and improving conditions for people who were considered mentally ill and had no-one to legally represent them.

“It’s a complex world and it is very important that those considered to be mentally ill have proper representation” she said.


Associate Professor Gary KILOV, TAS

For significant service to medicine, particularly diabetes research and advisory roles.

Gary Kilov

Diabetes Australia

  • Member, Expert Reference Group, Older People and Diabetes Program, National Diabetes Services Scheme, since 2016.
  • Advisor, Diabetes Friendly School initiative, since 2014.
  • Member, Expert Reference Group, Mental Health and Diabetes Program, National Diabetes Services Scheme, 2013-2016.

Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia

  • Founding Member, 2015.
  • Former Board Member.
  • Sub-Editor and former Editor in Chief, Diabetes Journal for Primary Care, current.

Insulin for Life

  • Contributor and International Board Member, current.
  • Assistant, For Life Youth Camp, 2019.

Diabetes – Other

  • Advisory Panel Member, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, 2013-2014.
  • Appointed Member, Advisory Board, Asia Pacific Diabetes Education Empowerment, 2014.
  • Member, American Diabetes Association, 2013.
  • Former Member, South Eastern Bayside Diabetes Alliance.
  • Invited Speaker and Panellist, various conferences and organisations, national and international.
  • Founder, Medical Home for people living with diabetes, Regional Primary Care Setting, Tasmania and New South Wales, 2011.
  • Founder, Diabetes Outreach Program, Rural Integrated Diabetes Education (RIDE), King and Flinders Islands.

National Asthma Council Australia

  • Advisor, Australian Asthma Handbook, 2015-2016.
  • Member, Review Panel, Spirometry Training Courses, 2013-2016.
  • Chair, Adult Asthma Woking Group, 2014-2015.
  • Spirometry trainer for primary care, 10 years.

 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

  • Co-Founder, Diabetes Specific Interest Group, since 2012.
  • Contributor, Diabetes Management Handbook, 2012-2020.

Health – Other

  • Advisory Group Member, Precision Medicine Flagship, AcT1vate, 2019-2020.
  • Advisory Group Member, Australian Cardiovascular Alliance, 2019-2020.
  • Contributor and Reviewer, Topic Primer program, NPS Medicine Wise, 2014.
  • Advisor, Strategic Planning Advisory Board, Northern Integrated Care Service, Launceston, 2014.
  • Former Committee Member, COPD Program, Clinical Learning, Evaluation and Actions in Respiratory Disease.
  • Member, Monash Division of General Practice, 2000-2010.

Education

  • Associate Professor, Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, since 2017.
  • Honorary Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, since 2021.
  • Senior Lecturer, The University of Tasmania.
  • Former Tutor and Examiner, Monash University.

Professional Career

  • Principal, Launceston Diabetes Clinic, Launceston, since 2017.
  • Founder, Seaport Diabetes, Multidisciplinary General Practice, 2011-2017.
  • General Practice Caulfield, Melbourne, 2009-2011.
  • General Practice Clarinda, Melbourne, 2006-2009.
  • General Practice Wantirna South, Victoria, 2000-2006.
  • Owner and Operator, General Practice, Burnie, North-West Tasmania, 1985-1999.
  • Medical Practitioner, since 1980.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been awarded this honour

 To be recognized by my fellow countrymen for my contributions is truly a remarkable feeling.

I would like to express my gratitude to the awards committee for considering me for this prestigious accolade. I also extend my sincere appreciation to my family, colleagues and the countless people whose lives have intersected with mine and their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my journey” he told J-Wire.

“What has moved me most have been person to person interactions with patients whose lives have been changed for the better.

I would say therefore that I am a clinician first, educator second and researcher third.

Being able to contribute to those less fortunate than ourselves by providing life-sustaining insulin through a charity – Insulin for Life – that began in Melbourne and is now global – would rate as one of the most gratifying humbling and deeply rewarding endeavours I have been privileged to be involved in as a contributor and board member” he said.


Professor Danielle MAZZA, Caulfield South VIC 3162

For significant service to medicine and to medical research, particularly to women’s health.

Danielle Mazza

Monash University

  • Director, SPHERE, the National Health and Medical Research Council funded Centre of Research Excellence in Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Care, since 2019.
  • Professor and Head, Department of General Practice, since 2011.
  • Acting Head, Department of General Practice, 2010-2011.
  • Associate Professor, Department of General Practice, 2005-2010.
  • Member, Academic Board, 2013-2019.

National Health and Medical Research Council

  • Member, Research Translation Centre Assessment Panel, 2021-2022.
  • Member, Centres for Research Excellence Peer Review Panel, 2020-2022.
  • Member, Partnership Projects Peer Review Panel, 2015-2020.
  • Member, Project Grants Peer Review Panel, 2013-2015.
  • Chief Investigator of 11 grants, since 2008.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

  • Chair, Preventive Care Guidelines for General Practice (Redbook) 10th Edition Working Group, since 2022.
  • Chair, Preventive Activities in General Practice (Greenbook) 3rd Edition Editorial Committee, 2016-2018 .
  • Member, National Expert Committee on Research, since 2018.
  • Member, National Expert Committee on Quality Care, 2015-2018.
  • Member, National Standing Committee on Quality Care, 2011-2014.
  • Senior Medical Educator, GP Learning, 2001-2010.
  • National Director, Quality Assurance and Continuing Education, 1999-2001.
  • Honorary Secretary, Victorian Faculty, 1997-1999.
  • Fellow, since 1994.
  • Member, since 1991.

Department of Health and Aged Care

  • Member, Therapeutic Goods Administration Women’s Health Products Working Group, since 2022.
  • Member, National Endometriosis Advisory Group, since 2022.
  • Member, National Endometriosis Guidelines Development Group, 2019-2020.
  • Member, Steering Committee, Renewal Implementation Project, National Cervical Screening Program, 2016-2018.
  • Member, Gynaecological Oncology MBS Review Group, 2016-2017.
  • Member, Medical Services Advisory Committees on Human Papilloma Virus: triage for pap smears and Liquid Based Cytology, 2010.

Medical – Other

  • General Practitioner, Brighton Medical Clinic, since 2004.
  • Senior Medical Officer, Choices Clinic, Royal Women’s Hospital, 2004-2011.
  • General Practice Liaison Officer, Health for Kids in the SouthEast, Southern Health, 2004-2006.
  • Medical Director, Family Planning Victoria, 1996-1999.

Boards/Committees

  • Board Member, South East Melbourne Primary Health Network, 2016 -2022.
  • Board Member, Bayside Medicare Local, 2012-2015.
  • Board Member, Victorian Metropolitan Alliance, 2012-2014.
  • Board Member, Central Bayside General Practice Network, 2004-2008.
  • Member, Executive of the Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care, 2010-2019.

Academic Roles – Other

  • Conjoint Professor, University of Newcastle, since 2016.
  • Visiting Professor, University of British Columbia, Canada, 2016.
  • Associate Professor, International Medical University, 2002-2003.
  • Lecturer, Key Centre for Women’s Health, University of Melbourne, 1994-1996.

Publications

  • Author, Women’s Health in General Practice, Churchill Livingstone Australia, 2004, and 2nd ed. 2011.
  • Editorial Advisory Board Member, British Medical Journal Sexual and Reproductive Health, since 2019.
  • Author, over 200 scientific papers.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Excellence in Women’s Health Award, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2021.
  • Inductee, Victorian Honour Roll of Women, 2020.
  • Bridges-Webb Medal, Australasian Association for Academic Primary Care, 2020.
  • Churchill Fellowship, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, 2019.
  • Fellowship, National Institute of Clinical Studies, Health Contribution Fund Health and Medical Research Foundation, 2007.
  • Jean Hailes Memorial Prize, Australian Menopause Society, 1999.
  • Roger Wurm Award, Australian Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1996.
  • Myriam De Senarclens Award, International Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1995.
  • Francis Hardey Faulding Memorial Fellowship Research Award, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 1994.
  • Alan Chancellor Memorial Award, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 1994.

For Danielle Mazza, her time as a young woman in Habonim, her Jewish education and family involvement in Habonim has informed her approach to life, incorporating the maxim of Tikkun Olam into everyday life.

Tikkun Olam is a concept in Judaism, which refers to various forms of action intended to repair and improve the world.

“It is fundamental to my approach to life” she told J-Wire.

 When she wrote her textbook, Women’s Health in General Practice, it was a way of providing GPs with ways of dealing with women’s health.

“I was honoured when the Chinese government translated the book and then I went to China for the launch.  It was one of the highlights of my career” she said.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this Award” she said

She considers herself very fortunate to work in an area where she can make an impact.


Ruth PICKER, VIC

For significant service to the accountancy profession, and to the financial sector.

Ruth Picker                Photo: Serena Bolton

Ernst and Young

  • Asia-Pacific Risk Management Leader, 2013-2021.
  • Member, Asia-Pacific Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2013-2021.
  • Chair, Asia-Pacific Ethics Oversight Group, 2013-2021.
  • Global Leader, Global International Financial Reporting Standards Services, 2009-2013.
  • Managing Partner, Melbourne, 2006-2009.
  • Partner, 1995-2021.

Australian Accounting Standards Board

  • Acting Chair, 2003.
  • Deputy Chair, 2000-2005.
  • Former Member.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

  • Former Member, Professional Development Committee.
  • Member, since 1989.
  • Fellow, 1996.

International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (London)

  • Member representing Australia, 2006-2012.

Publications

  • Author, Applying IFRS Standards, EY Publishing, 2016.
  • Author, Australian Accounting Standards and ICAA, Self-Published, 2007.
  • Author, Applying International Financial Reporting Standards, Wiley, 2007.
  • Former Member, Editorial Board, Australian Accounting Review.

Australian Ballet School

  • Chair, Audit and Finance Committee, since 2019.
  • Board Member, since 2019.

Mount Scopus

  • Executive Member, since 2015.
  • Member, Finance Committee, current.
  • Benefactor, current.

Mind Australia Ltd

  • Board Member and Deputy Chair, Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, since 2022.

Other

  • Founder and Song Writer, The Song Tailors.
  • Fellow, and Former Educator, Certified Public Accountants Australia.
  • Former Visiting Practice Fellow, The University of Melbourne.
  • Senior Fellow, Financial Services Professional Body (FINSIA).

Awards and Recognition include

  • Inductee, Australian Accounting Hall of Fame, 2020.
  • Charles Holmes Medal, Certified Public Accountants Australia, 2007.
  • Lynne Sutherland Award, Ernst and Young, 2000.

“It is a huge thing for me, it’s a massive honour” Ruth Picker told J-Wire.

“I came here from Capetown at the age of 24 with my family. We knew nobody and came with nothing. It took everything we had to get the fare to come here.

My grandparents were refugees from the Lithuanian pogroms and didn’t even know where they would end up when they left Europe and arrived in South Africa” she said.

I wish my parents were alive and feel that they would be proud of me. We chose to come here from Capetown and were very proud to become Australian citizens.

I always felt like the outsider for much of my early life. That’s probably why I have been such an advocate for diversity and inclusion.

Maybe this means I have been accepted.


Associate Professor Louis ROLLER, Carlton VIC 3053

For significant service to the pharmacy profession through education and governance.

Louis Roller

Monash University

  • Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice, 1994-2008.
  • Honorary Associate Professor in Pharmacy Practice, since 2008.
  • Course Director, Bachelor of Pharmacy, 2007-2008.
  • Associate Dean Teaching, 1992-2006.
  • Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice, 1991-2001.
  • Sessional Lecturer, 2008-2018.
  • Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1963-2008.
  • Student Councillor, 1970-1988.

Pharmacy Board of Victoria

  • Former Chair, Inspectorial Committee, 10 years.
  • Former Chair, Education Committee, 5 years.
  • Former Board Member, 22 years.
  • Examiner, since 1984.
  • Former Member, Consultant Pharmacist Committee, many years.
  • Former Member, Continuing Education Committee, many years.
  • Member, 1984-2005.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Victoria Branch

  • Former Committee Member.
  • Fellow.

Education – Other

  • Educator, AusMed, since 2008.
  • Lecturer, Stonnington, University of the Third Age, since 2012.
  • Lecturer, Victorian Skeptics, since 2011.
  • Lecturer, Peer Visitor Program, Australian Medical Association Victoria, 2018.

Publications

  • Author, 550 articles.
  • Author, 14 book chapters.
  • Co-Author, Practical Disease State Management for Pharmacists, Australian Pharmaceutical Publishing Company, 2004.
  • Contributor, Australian Journal of Pharmacy, 25 years.
  • Member, Editorial Board, Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary.

Other

  • Volunteer, Courage to Care, since 2018.
  • Examiner, Australian Pharmaceutical Examining Council, 25 years. 

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 2014.
  • Life Member, Australasian Pharmaceutical Sciences Association, 2012.

Louis Roller taught Pharmacy to over 17,000 pharmacists and other health professionals at Monash University for 55 years.

“I have spent my life educating professionals – nurses, doctors, pharmacists – in disease state management. Although I retired in 2008, I constantly keep up to date in my field” he said.

Showing so many health professionals how to impart information to patients in a way that they can easily understand is something of which he is proud.

Lecturing at the University of the Third Age allows him to choose interesting topics for discussion such as Disease and Medication in the Shakespearean Age.

He also in a Jewish choir where they sing in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and Russian.

It is when he is volunteering with Courage Care that he brings his personal experience to schoolchildren.

“Working with children with Courage to Care is exhausting but so rewarding.  As a child Holocaust Survivor, I experienced how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

“My brother and I were saved by ordinary people who risked their lives to save two Jewish boys from death.

Telling children about fighting prejudice, racism and bullying and what it means to be upstanding is something that they can relate to” he said.


Wendy SHARPE, NSW

For significant service to the visual arts, and to the community.

Wendy Sharpe and friends

The Arts

  • Commissioned Artist, Cook and Philip Park Aquatic Centre, Sydney, 1998-1999.
  • Artist in Residence, State Library of New South Wales, 2017-2018.
  • Artist in Residence, Circus Oz, Melbourne and Sydney, 2015-2016.
  • Artist in Residence, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2015.
  • Artist in Residence, Aurora Australia, Mawson’s Hut Centenary, Antarctic Division, 2012.
  • Art Prize Judge, Doug Moran Prize.
  • Art Prize Judge, The Sulman Prize.
  • Art Prize Judge, Royal Queensland Art Prize.
  • Art Prize Judge, The Brett Whiteley Art Scholarship.
  • Artist, over 70 solo exhibitions.
  • Artist, 150 group exhibitions.

National Art School

  • Board of Directors, current.
  • Sessional Lecturer, Drawing and Painting, 1990-1994.
  • Part-time Lecturer, Painting, 1995-2005.
  • Fellow, 2018.

Australian War Memorial

  • Council Member, 2005-2011.
  • Member, Anzac Centenary Advisory Arts Committee, 2012-2013.
  • Official War Artist, East Timor, 1999.

Community

  • Fundraiser, Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, current.
  • Patron, The Asylum Seeker Centre, Sydney, since 2016.
  • Women’s and Human Rights advocate, current.

Other

  • Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales, 2018.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Adelaide Perry Memorial Prize, 2014.
  • Allen Gamble Memorial Art Prize, Sydney, 2003.
  • Archibald Prize, 1996.
  • Gold Award, 2022.
  • Sulman Prize, 1986.
  • Portia Geach Memorial Award, 1995 and 2003.

Artist Wendy Sharpe leads a busy and varied artistic life.

When J-Wire caught up with her she was in western NSW. Her art was about to feature in a concert given by her friend Elena Kats-Chernin at the Gulgong Prince of Wales Opera House.

In August she will have a commercial exhibition at King Street Gallery in Sydney entitled “Wheel of Fortune”.

Next year she returns to Ethiopia with the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation.

“I like to work with charities when I can. If I can draw or paint something that makes a difference to someone’s life, that is good” she said.

An exhibition – Her Shoes” in 2022 featured 52 pastel drawings of  women’s shoes with 100% of sales going to Lou’s Place Sydney daytime drop-in centre for women who are victims of domestic abuse and coercive control.

Together with her cousin Ruth, she visited Ukraine where their family hailed from.

Discussing her residence at the Sydney Jewish Museum in July 2021, she said it was bad timing that the residency happened just before Sydney went into Covid lockdown.

Taking over the walls of Sydney Jewish Museum’s gallery space, she used a large-scale painted mural – The Little Street – to tell her family’s stories from their Ukrainian hometown of Kamianets-Podilskyi.


Dr Stephen James STEIGRAD, Rose Bay NSW 2029

For significant service to medicine particularly in a range of national and international organisations.

Stephen Steigrad

International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases

  • Council Member and Representative for Oceania, 1998-2010.
  • Chair, Organising Committee, 7th World Conference, Sydney, 1990-1994.
  • Member, since 1976.

Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand

  • Immediate Past President, 1987-1988.
  • President, 1986-1987.
  • Vice-President, 1984-1986.
  • Honorary Treasurer, 1982-1984.
  • Member of Council, 1982-1990.
  • Member, Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group.
  • Chair, Organising Committee, 6th Scientific Meeting, Sydney, 1986-1987.
  • Chair, Organising Committee, 1st Scientific Meeting, Sydney, 1979-1982.
  • Founder, 1982.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

  • Senior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Committee Member, 2015.
  • Chair, Annual General Practitioner Day Committee, 1971-2009.
  • Subspecialty Training Supervisor and In Hospital Clinical Assessor, 2004.
  • Fellow, 1978.

New South Wales Branch, Australian Medical Association

  • Honorary Secretary, 1981-1984.
  • Council Member, 1976-1985.
  • Member, Hospital Committee, 1979-1981, and 1984-1985.
  • Member, Ethics Committee, 1979-1981, and 1984-1985.
  • Honorary Life Member.
  • Member, since 1964.

University of New South Wales

  • Honorary Associate Professor, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, since 2018.
  • Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Women’s and Children’s Health, 2013-2018.
  • Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1972-2012.
  • Director, Trophoblastic Disease Referral Unit, 1971-2012.
  • Director, Donor Insemination Programme, 1979-2012.
  • Honorary Lecturer in Midwifery, 1971-1995.
  • Lecturer, School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington, 1971-1972. 

Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney

  • Director, Department of Reproductive Medicine, 1985-2012.
  • Lead, Early Pregnancy Assessment Service, Department to Reproductive Medicine, 2007-2012.
  • Chair, Senior Medical Staff Council, 2001-2005.
  • Deputy Chair, Senior Medical Staff Council, 2000-2001.
  • Deputy General Medical Superintendent, 1972-1987.
  • Chair, Library Committee, 1971-late 1980s.
  • Registrar, 1966-1968.

Health – Other

  • Senior Examiner, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Australian Medical Council, 1997-2010.
  • Consultant, New South Wales Therapeutic Medicine Information Centre, 1984-1992.
  • Deputy General Medical Superintendent, Benevolent Society of New South Wales, 1972-1987.

Professional Memberships

  • Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 1978.
  • Fellow, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London.
  • Member, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, since 1983.
  • Member, Fertility Preservation Special Interest Group, since 1983.
  • Member, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, since 1997.
  • Foundation Member, Australian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery Society, 1992-2012.
  • Member, Australian Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, 1991-1996.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Hallett Prize, Royal College of Surgeons, London, 1970.

Stephen Steigrad is both proud and bemused that over 40 years ago, a group of doctors decided that there ought to be a Fertility Society of Australia (New Zealand joined later).

“I was not looked to be nominated but I got involved with the society from the start. When you are needed to do something, you do it. That’s how things work and then you put in the effort in.

From an idea all those years ago, we had a conference last week with over 800 delegates” he said.

He regards marrying his wife Anne as the most important thing he has done.


Dr Sharonne ZAKS, VIC

For significant service to dentistry, and to the arts.

Sharonne Saks

Trauma-Informed Dentistry

  • Presenter, How to end fear of the dentist, TEDxSydney, 2019.
  • Speaker, Innovations in Public Health, Dental Health Services Victoria, 2018.
  • Founder and Developer, Trauma-Informed Dental Care, since 2017.
  • Founder and Developer, free video resources for dentists and survivors of sexual assault and trauma, collaboration with South Eastern and Western Region Centres Against Sexual Assault, 2017-2018.
  • Presenter, 38th Australian Dental Association Congress, 2019.
  • Contributor, What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape, book by Sohaila Abdulali, published globally, 2018.
  • Speaker, Melbourne Annual Continuing Professional Development Conference, Dentist Hygienists Association of Australia, 2019.
  • Keynote speaker, Forensic and Clinical Masters Conference, University of New South Wales School of Psychology, 2019.
  • Speaker, Caring Together conference, Australian Society of Special Care in Dentistry, 2019.
  • Interviewee and Advocate for Trauma-Informed Dental Care, including; ABC, SBS, BBC, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, since 2019.

Dentistry

  • Dentist, various city and regional areas, since 1998.
  • Member, Australian Dental Association, since 1998.

The Arts

  • Trumpeter, Madre Monte, including national tour with The Cat Empire band, 2014.
  • Performer, Four People and One Lamington, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 2006.
  • Founder and Cabaret Performer, dental cabaret, Gobsmacked; A Celebration of the Mouth, 2003.
  • Founder and Cabaret Performer, Pig Cabaret, Tales of Discomfort, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Parkview Hotel, 2002.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Dentistry Achievement Award, Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch, 2021.
  • Fellow, International College of Dentists, 2020.
  • Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy, 2020.
  • Manny’s Music Scholarship Prize, Melbourne Polytechnic, 2008.
  • Periodontics Prize, The University of Melbourne, 1998.

“I am honoured and numbed by this Award.  I am full of gratitude to whoever put me forward” she said. 

“It is such a privilege and an honour to help people when they are at their most vulnerable, and often going through a difficult time in their lives” she told J-Wire.

Her passions include building long-term trusting relationships, which allow people who have survived all kinds of trauma to develop faith in their ability to handle all aspects of their dental care. This new confidence and capability can be extended beyond the dental relationship and allow patients to build a better future.

“As dentists, we work in such an intimate and sensitive area; people often carry deep shame and embarrassment about the state of their mouths. One of my favourite moments is seeing this enormous burden of shame fall away as people see they are fully accepted and valued as they are with no judgement.

Traumatic events are always out of our control and disempowering. When people are in situations where they feel a loss of control again, like a dental surgery, bad memories of traumatic events are triggered and come flooding back. This leads to anxiety and panic; it’s the fight or flight survival response.

So, it’s no surprise that there is a large issue of global avoidance of dentists by survivors of trauma.

My job is to give power, control and choice back to patients at each moment of their dental experience.

The trauma-informed approach is evidenced based and considered best practice in other disciplines, but it hasn’t yet been adopted in dentistry; I’m working to change this.

I have put together a toolbox for dentists and resources for trauma survivors to help each group cope with the challenges that dental phobia and anxiety create.

Now I’m in the process of establishing a social enterprise trauma-informed dental service with all the care in one place; it will be collaborative and inter-disciplinary. There is a huge need for this, and as far as I’m aware this will be the first of its kind in the world” she said.


MEDAL [OAM] OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Adina Allen

Adina ALLEN, VIC

For service to the Jewish community of Melbourne.

Beit Rafael Benevolent Institution (House of Lord’s Healing)

Co-Founder and Director, since 2012

 

Adina Allen told J-Wire: “Beit Rafael is dedicated to easing the difficult path members of our community need to travel due to health issues. Having our initiatives recognised as worthy is humbling and receiving this award shows recognition and the validation of that which Beit Rafael does.

Shimon felt very much like I do, preferring to shun the limelight but we are grateful that receiving this award shines the spotlight on to our donors and volunteers, without whom Beit Rafael could not operate. We value each donation which enables us to provide our services. We are in awe of our volunteers who give their time regularly and enthusiastically to deliver Shabbat Boxes to patients in hospitals each Friday and those who drive the medical Shuttles assisting people to attend their appointments.

The award also validates the purpose of the four Hospital hospitality apartments, which are situated close to the major Melbourne hospitals as well as the purchase of good quality mobility aids to lend to people who require them.

Beit Rafael witnesses the needs of our vulnerable community members and receiving this acknowledgment will encourage us to continue to grow.

We thank those who nominated us and those who wrote letters of reference.”


Shimon Allen

The late Samuel Lance ALLEN, formerly of VIC

For service to the Jewish community of Melbourne.

Beit Rafael Benevolent Institution (House of Lord’s Healing)

  • Co-Founder and Director, since 2012.

 

 

 


Miriam BASS, Malvern East VIC 3145

Miriam Bass

For service to the Jewish community.

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, Victoria (NCJWA)

  • President, 2016-2020.
  • Vice-President, 2014-2015.
  • Secretary, 2015-2016.
  • NCJWA Delegate, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, since 2013.
  • Chair, Finance Committee, 2015-2020.
  • Chair, Governance and Risk Committee, 2012-2016.
  • Chair, Development Committee, 2016-2019.
  • Member, Building Committee 2017-2022.
  • President’s Award, 2013.

Jewish Organisations – Other

  • Victorian Councillor, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, since 2019.
  • Founding Member, Walk Together Project, Jewish Community Council of Victoria, 2021.
  • Mentor, Susan Wakil Fellowship Program, Australasian Union of Jewish Students, 2020.
  • Mentor, Jewish Care Young Achievers Program, 2011 and 2012.

 Melbourne Soul and Gospel Choir

  • President, 2015-2016.
  • Vice-President, 2014.
  • Member, Committee of Management, 2013-2016.

Other

  • Principal, Miriam Bass Consulting, 1994-2012.
  • Various roles, School Council, Wesley College Melbourne, 2000-2003.
  • Junior Vice President, Committee of Management, Arts Access, 1996-1997.
  • President, Committee of Management, Malvern Toy Library1986-1987.
  • Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Receiving this award is  unexpected and a bit overwhelming.

While it’s wonderful to be recognised in this way, I have always had wonderful teams that supported my leadership and worked to achieve common goals “ she told J-Wire.

I share this award with them

I am proud of NCJWA Vic’s transformation during my tenure as President.

The growth of our programs, development of our governance framework, digital transformation and involvement of younger members all contributed to NCJWA Vic having greater impact.

What I’m most proud of is our advocacy on issues impacting women and girls.

These include advocating for the  return of Malka Leifer from Israel to face child sexual assault charges and initiating the #makespaceforher campaign to amplify women’s leadership in our community.


Elly Helen BROOKS, East Brighton VIC 3187

Elly Brooks

For service to the Jewish community.

Melbourne Holocaust Museum

  • Board Director, since 2003.
  • Honorary Secretary, 2010-2019.

Friends of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum

  • President, 2003-2008 and 2012-2019.
  • Committee Member.

 Rwandan Tutsi Genocide Survivors Association of Australia (Mpore)

  • Honorary Secretary, since 2019.
  • Founding Committee Member, since 2019.

 Temple Beth Israel

  • Committee Member, Project Dignity, since 2019.
  • Co-ordinator, Project Dignity’s ‘Crisis Relief Program’, since 2020.

 Community

  • Member, Group Mentorship Pilot Program, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia and Salvation Army, current.

 Melbourne High School

  • Vice-President, School Council, 2003-2005.
  • Member, School Council, early 2000s.
  • President, Parents Association, 2001-2004.

 Aviation

  • Chief Flying Instructor/Chief Pilot Instructor, Civil Flying School, 1981-1989.

 Professional

  • Founder, ‘Home Search’ Relocations, Hong Kong, 1990s.
  • Radiographer, Hong Kong, 1990s.
  • Radiographer, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, 10 years.

 Awards and Recognition include:

  • Certificate of Appreciation, Glen Eira City Council, 2009 and 2016.

Elly Brooks husband Alan passed away recently and only when she was dealing with his affairs, she discovered that he had nominated her fr the award.

She told J-Wire: “I feel quite overwhelmed and honoured.  I wish my parents who came to Australia as refugees after the Holocaust and I wish my late husband were here to share this, but I’m incredibly honoured to accept it.

I’m very passionate about Rwanda and Rwandan genocide. And I guess it goes down to my love of wanting to explore testimony, preservation and commemoration. And that’s where you know the Holocaust Museum and the RTGSA were both founded with the collective determination to overcome past hatred and conflict.”


 

Leon BynerLeon Robert BYNER, Oakden SA 5086

 

For service to radio broadcast media.

Radio Broadcaster

Host, Mornings with Leon Byner, FIVEaa, Nova Entertainment, Adelaide, since 2000.
Broadcaster, 5KA/KAFM, Adelaide, 1975-2000.

Leon told J-Wire: “I am humbled by receiving an OAM and regard it as an honour in recognising my focus on helping the community. It’s gratifying to know the assistance gets to where its most needed. ”

 


Stephen David CHIPKIN, Woollahra NSW 2025

For service to the Jewish community of New South Wales.

Stephen Chipkin

Jewish Communal Appeal

  • President, 2014-2020.
  • Chairman and Member, Allocations Committee, 2004-2006.
  • Chairman, Status Committee, 2007-2014.

Weizmann Australia

  • Chair, since 2009.
  • Supporter, Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, since 2017.

 Community – Other

  • Guest Lecturer, Capstone Masters of Commerce Course, Sydney University, 2014-2015.
  • Vice President, Masada College, 1998-2002.
  • Board Member, North Shore Temple Emanuel, 1995-1998.

Professional

  • Head of Corporate Finance, Investec, 2005-2013.
  • Independent Director, Toga Accommodation Fund, 2000’s.
  • Past Co-Head of Telecoms and Media, JPMorgan and Executive Committee Member, 1996-2005.
  • Non-Executive Director, MLC Group Companies, 1984-1996.
  • Partner, Freehills Law Firm, 1984-1996.
  • Past Director, Ord Minnett Group Limited.
  • Past Director, Australian Funds Management Limited.

Stephen Chipkin told us: “Being recognised and affirmed for something one does is always a positive human experience. You know, I think we all ultimately derive satisfaction and pride from that. We live in a community where the level of commitment to each other and whether it’s the person who’s delivering Meals on Wheels or whether it’s the biggest strategic leader, I do think we live in a phenomenal community. If all of those worthy of recognition were to receive an award, the medal presses would run hot in our community. There are so many people doing good work. So to be recognised is, of course, an honour.”


Anneke DEUTSCH, Daylesford VIC 3460

Anneke Deutsch

For service to the community through a range of roles.

Matrix Guild of Victoria

  • Housing Convenor, and Housing and Aged Care Spokeswoman, since 2015.
  • Committee Member, c2007-2018.
  • President, 2018.
  • Past Secretary.

Older Women in Cohousing Inc (WINC)

  • Co-Founder and President, since 2016.

Hepburn Renewable Energy Association/Sustainable Hepburn Association (later know as Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative Ltd)

  • Community Organiser, Solar Panel Bulk Buy Project.
  • Founding Member, c2005.

Additional roles

  • Member, LGBTI Aged Care Advisory Committee, Hepburn Health Service, since 2012.
  • Member, Organising Committee, National Lesbian Cultural Celebration and Conference in Daylesford, 1998.
  • Volunteer and/or Organiser, Women’s Ball and LesFest, ChillOut Festival, Daylesford, 1990s.
  • Panellist, The Making Homes series, MPavillion – Architecture Commission.

There was a time in the not-too-distant past, when a woman could not get a bank loan on her own without a man to sign for her and a father could be granted custody of his children simply because their mother was a lesbian.

“In the past I had to be closeted if I wanted to keep my job” Anneke Deutsch told J-Wire.

“While these days life is more open and accepting for lesbians, there are other identity politics challenges that older, same-sex-attracted women now face.

Matrix Guild was founded in 1992 – but not by me – as a charity to help older lesbians.

While volunteering at Matrix, I led the creation of the first social housing for old lesbians at risk of homelessness by establishing a partnership with the community housing provider, Women’s Property Initiatives in 2009” she said.

She explained that cohousing can mean common facilities like community gardens and a different range of mixed tenure, a different way of giving ownership to women of limited means.


The late Dr Edgar David FREED, formerly of NSW

Edgar David Freed

For service to medicine as a psychiatrist.

Australian Medical Association (NSW), Section of Psychiatry

  • Branch Councillor (Psychiatry), 1997-2003.
  • Spokesperson, Drugs and Alcohol, 1997-2003.
  • President, 1988-1990.
  • Secretary, 1986-1987.

The Sydney Clinic

  • Consultant Psychiatrist, 2012-2017.
  • Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, 1994-2016.
  • Chairman, Drug Committee, 1994-2017.
  • Chairman, Peer Review Committee, 1994-2016.

St Vincent’s Hospital

  • Consultant Psychiatrist, 1995-2009.
  • Member, Drug Committee, 1986.
  • Senior Staff Specialist in Psychiatry, 1978-1995.
  • Visiting Specialist, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, 1978-1995.

Appointments – Other

  • Conjoint Lecturer, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, 1988-1999.
  • Honorary Visiting Psychiatrist, Salvation Army’s Men Hostel, Surry Hills, 1988-1992.

Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Chapter of Addiction Medicine

  • Founding Member.
  • Life Fellow, 2006.

Professional Associations

  • Fellow, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 1984.
  • Fellow, Royal College of Psychiatrists United Kingdom, 2010.
  • Former Member, New York Academy of Sciences.
  • Former Member, Australian Professional Society for Alcohol and Drugs.
  • Former Member, American Society of Addiction Medicine.
  • Former Member, International Society of Bipolar Disorders.

Publications

  • Editor, Australian Journal of Psychopharmacology, 1984-1996.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Meritorious Service Award, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 2017.
  • The Margery Johnston Award for Service to the Mentally Ill and their Families, The Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill, 1995.

The late Dr Freed’s daughter Michelle told J-Wire: “Dad would have been incredibly honoured to receive this award as his work was his life’s passion. He lived to help his patients and we are thrilled and proud to accept this on his behalf.”


Cedric Seymour FUCHS, Dover Heights NSW 2030

For service to the real estate industry, and to philanthropy.

Cedric Fuchs

Property

  • Co-Founder and Executive Chair, eGuarantee, since 2020.
  • Strategic Advisor, Aliro Group, since 2018.

Charter Hall Group

  • Executive Director, 1991-2018.
  • Co-Founder, 1991.
  • Cedric Fuchs Scholarship established in his honour, 2014.

 Business – Other

  • Secretary Fuchsfam Pty Ltd, since 2007.
  • Secretary, Cedfu Holdings Pty Ltd, since 2002.
  • Secretary, Cedayu Pty Ltd, since 2003.
  • Director, Doverville Holdings, since 2004.
  • Secretary, DF Holdings Pty Ltd, since 2010.

Community

  • Bronze Life Governor, Montefiore Homes, current.
  • Supporter, a range of community and charitable organisations including the  Sir Isaac Zelman Foundation, United Israel Appeal, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Courage to Care and Vision Australia.
  • Member of Advisory Board of Raise .
  • Contributor, Jewish Community Affairs, Fred Hollows Foundation, Jewish Museum.
  • Pro Bono mentoring of people in the fields of business and emotional issues.
  • Supporter, a range of arts organisations including the Australian Ballet, and Opera Foundation Australia.

Cedric Fuchs told J-Wire: “This is an amazing honour.  I only immigrated here 36 years ago at the age of 43. Like all immigrants, I had to settle down.. And I have some wonderful fortune in my life and I’m a great believer in luck when it comes to these sorts of things. Most of life is luck.

Australia is an amazing country because it’s not xenophobic in any way. You pretty much can contact anybody you like at the top of the hierarchy of corporations, and somebody will talk to you, and somebody will even see you, which I find extraordinary. I would like to leave a footprint somewhere on Earth by doing the right things and that’s the only thing you can leave.

From my point of view, it’s an extraordinary honour. For me, it has an added sentimental issue is that I lost my daughter Julie a year ago tomorrow on the 13th of June and I’m going to dedicate the award to her as she was the most philanthropic person I will ever meet.”

 


Lesley Sharon GILD, St Ives NSW 2075

Lesley Gild

For service to the community

  • Member, Social Justice Committee, New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, 2004-2019.
  • Chair, Family and Community Services Advisory Committee, JewishCare, 1998-2004.

 Disability

  • Advisor, National Disability Long-term Care and Support Scheme, Productivity Commission, current.
  • Advisor, Inclusion Action Plan, NSW Transport, current.
  • President, Access Ezer, 2004-2019.
  • Co-Chair, EnableNSW Advisory Committee, 2009-2013.

 OzHarvest

  • Founding Board Member, 2004-2008.

“It is lovely that the Australian community has acknowledged my contribution and the work I have done in a variety of areas in such as social justice, food rescue and human services.

“You just do the work because it takes you into an environment where you can see things that need doing” Lesley Gild told J-Wire.

Her input as a member of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ Social Justice Committee and Working as Co-Chair on the EnableNSW Advisory Committee were activities that resonated with her.

“Making a contribution while representing NSW consumers has been very satisfying” she said.


Alethea GOLD, Rose Bay NSW 2029

For service to the community, particularly through humanitarian aid endeavours.

Alethea Gold

  • Global Goodwill Ambassador, SmartAid, since 2017.
  • Member, ‘The Mother of all Balls’ Organising Committee, New South Wales YWCA, 2000-2010.
  • Supporter, Operation Hope Australia.
  • Supporter, Afrika Tikkun, South Africa, for many years.
  • Supporter, Chi Heng Foundation, Hong Kong, 2000s.

 Professional

  • Producer, photography books, Children of China, 2008, Children of South Africa, 2010 and Children of China Israel, 2013.
  • Producer, Unsung Heroes documentary movie.
  • Fashion Editor, Studio Bambini children’s fashion magazine, 14 years.
  • Guest Editor, Mode Jnr and She publications.
  • Freelancer, various publications including Vogue Bambini and Mode magazines.

Alethea told us: “I feel very honoured that I’ve been given this. It’s not something that I was looking for. I started working with SmartAID eight years ago but I’ve done charity work my entire adult life.” Alethea has just returned from Turkey where she administering aid to earthquake victims. She added: “This was one of the most overwhelming sad experiences I’ve ever been through. I  saw a little synagogue, which was right in the middle of a church and a mosque. The synagogue was still standing. Everything else was destroyed and had fallen down around it. At the little synagogue was standing and in perfect order. Sadly, the rabbi and his wife died in earthquake in their home.”

Alethea said that victims knew that a lot of the aid came from the Jews in the Sydney community including donated money.”


Andrea Jane HALAS, NSW

Andie Halas

For service to the community through a charitable organisation.

Thread Together

  • Founder and Chair, since 2012.

“It was lovely to receive the Honour” said Andrea Halas.

 With a background in fashion, Andrea Halas has long been involved with community services.

She remembers collecting for JNF Blue Boxes as a Mount Scopus Memorial College student.

“I knew there were lots of unsold new clothes sitting in warehouses which were likely to end up in landfill.

“There are a lot of people in need of clothing.  I realised it was one thing to give people second-hand clothing, but felt it was not enough.

“Personal items like bras, underwear and shoes are items that would be better donated when new.

Thread Together has reached its tenth anniversary. It started small but we now have a large distribution centre in a big warehouse“ she said.

 


Peter HALASZ, Darling Point NSW 2027

For service to the community through charitable organisations.

Peter Halasz

Courage to Care

  • Board Member, Fundraising Committee, current.
  • Volunteer speaker, 12 years.
  • Donor, since 2006.

 Sydney Jewish Museum

  • Volunteer, since 2015.
  • Donor.

 Philanthropy

  • Donor to a variety of organisations, including the Heart Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Moving Forward Together, Beyond Blue, The Salvation Army, The Joint Australia and Australian Red Cross.

 Seafolly

  • Founder, 1975-2015.
  • Chief Executive Officer, 1975-circa 1990’s.
  • Director, 1990’s-2015.
  • Board Member, from 2015.

Peter Halasz told us: “It’s an acknowledgement that someone who arrives at the age of 17 with little education and no knowledge of anything about Australia or the English language can actually make a success. For one thing and secondly, I think that the Jewish community has been very supportive or my life in Australia, and it’s here that I learned to be a proud Jew instead of hiding my Jewishness like I had to do in Hungary.”


Peter HERSH, North Bondi NSW 2026

Peter Hersh

For service to the Jewish community.

Technion

  • Member, International Board of Governors -Technion – Israel Institute of Technology , since 2012.
  • Honorary Treasurer, Technion Australia Inc, since 2012.

 Australian Jewish Funders

  • Treasurer, since 2022.
  • Director, since 2022.
  • Member, Risk, Audit and Government Committee, since 2019.
  • Pro Bono Accountant, since 2017.

 Online Hate Prevention Institute

  • Board Member, 2014-2016.
  • Company Secretary, 2014.
  • Pro Bono Accountant, since 2012.

 Sydney Jewish Friendship Circle

  • Financial Advisor/Auditor, current.
  • Assisted with foundation, late-2000s.

 Zionist Federation of Australia

  • Honorary Treasurer, 1997-2006.

Logicca Chartered Accountants

  • Founding Partner, since 2006.
  • Provider of pro bono/reduced fee accounting/financial advice to organisations including: Synagogues, Schools, Hospitals, Retirement Villages and other communal institutions both within and outside the Jewish Community.

Professional

  • Chartered Accountant, since 1977.
  • Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
  • Member, Taxation Institute of Australia.
  • Registered Company Auditor.
  • Certified SMSF Advisor.
  • Certified CEO.

Peter Hersh was on a bus in Israel when J-Wire caught up with him briefly.

He said that this honour was for not just for himself but for his professional partners and staff.


John HILLEL, Mount Waverley VIC 3149

For service to the Jewish community of Victoria.

John Hillel

Temple Beth Israel

  • Member, Board of Governance, 2016-2022.
  • Member, Communal Life Sub-Committee, 2016-2022.
  • Chair, Project Dignity Sub-Committee, current.
  • Chair, Social Justice Group, 2006-2011, and Member, 2001-2006.
  • Chair, Environment and Sustainability sub-Committee, 2020-2022, Member, 2018-2020.
  • Volunteer, since 2001.

Brotherhood of St Laurence

  • President, Mount Waverley Auxiliary, current.
  • Volunteer, since 2015.

  Port Phillip EcoCentre

  • Co-Founder, St Kilda Repair Cafe, 2018.
  • Co-ordinator, current.

 Awards and Recognition include:

  • Menorah Award, B’nai B’rith Victoria, 2019.
  • Chatan Torah, Temple Beth Israel, 2018.

John Hillel told J-Wire: “I prefer to operate kind of behind the scenes. And so it’s partly embarrassing because I don’t like this sort of, but on the other hand you have to say that’s pretty nice that people believe you are worthy of the honour. All of the stuff that I do involves a whole team of people.  Why should I be singled out? Doesn’t seem to me to be particularly necessary. But I guess that’s the way it works. If that inspires other people, that’s great. I mean, that’d be a really real reward, if it achieves that.”


Roslyn HORIN, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011

Roslyn Horn

For service to the performing arts.

Arts

  • Artistic Director and Founder, Racing Pulse Productions, since 2003.
  • Artistic Director, Griffin Theatre Company, 1992-2003.
  • Founding Director, Playworks (the womens writer’s workshop), 1984-1988.
  • Freelance Theatre Director, 1984-1992.
  • Lecturer in Acting, National Institute of Dramatic Art, 1980-1984.
  • Lecturer in Acting, Victorian College of the Arts, 1977-1979.

 Creator, Writer, Director, Producer Roles

  • Rosemary’s Way, 2021.
  • The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe, 2013-2016
  • Through the Wire, 2005.
  • Speaking in Tongues, 1996.
  • Kafka Dances, 1993.
  • Early Days Under the Old Hat, 1991.
  • Abingdon Square, 1990.
  • Bleedin’ Butterflies, 1981.

Community

  • Member, Executive Advisory Board, Amanita Maternal Foundation, since 2019.

“it is nice to get recognition from my peers for the work I have been doing.  It was a complete surprise that I had been nominated” she said.

“As an artist, you work in a small, solitary world and you are never sure that you are making an impact.

“I do believe that an artist can make a difference.  There is a feeling of opening out with the work as it reaches out beyond the context of how it began.

“A lot of the things I have been doing have been social and political. My work is not commercially motivated, it is more for social and artistic impact” she said.

Her focus now is on something with a strong Jewish theme, the revival of Yiddish culture, language and theatre globally.

“I am following nine Jewish artists around the world. There is great energy around this revival and the project should be finished in 2024.


Lisa Emmanuella KENNETT, Toorak VIC 3142

Lisa Kennett

For service to the Jewish community of Victoria.

Jewish Care Victoria

  • President, since 2021.
  • Vice-President, 2018-2021.
  • Board Member, since 2014.
  • Chair, Governance Sub-Committee, since 2015.
  • Chair, Building Sub-Committee, since 2021
  • Member, Building Sub-Committee, since 2015.

Mount Scopus Memorial College

  • Immediate Past President, current.
  • President, College Council, 2007-2014.
  • Chair, Corporate Governance Committee, since 2006.
  • Member, Bursary Committee, since 2006.

Boards and Appointments

  • Member, Advisory Board, Community Security Group Victoria, since 2015.
  • Board Member, National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, early-2000s.
  • Board Member, Jewish Education Foundation, since 2022.
  • Allocations Committee, ORAH VIC, since 2018.

“I am very honoured to receive this award” said Lisa Kennett.

“It’s an acknowledgement of the importance of the work done by many organisations and the difference we can make to the lives of members of our community.

It’s extremely hard to focus on one specific program or organisation in which I am involved.

I hope that I have been able to make life better for our community by helping to make it a safer place where people can feel comfortable participating in Jewish life, or to help families access a Jewish day school education.

Providing first class facilities for our Elders and, of course, making a significant impact on the lives of those in our community who are doing it tough – those who need a roof over their heads, help with an interest-free loan or a job and the counselling that supports them during a difficult time.

Our community is both diverse and inclusive and I enjoy working with others who give of their time to make other people’s lives better” she said.

 


Rabbi Jonathan Malcolm KEREN-BLACK, Narara NSW 2250

For service to the Jewish and wider community.

Rabbi  Jonathan Keren-Black                       Photo: Julian Meehan

Jewish and Inter-faith Organisations

  • Rabbi, Leo Baeck Centre for Progressive Judaism, since 2003.
  • Founding Member, Jewish Christian Muslim Association, 2003.
  • Founding Member, Jewish Ecological Coalition, 2004, and former Board Member.
  • Former Committee Member, Progressive Judaism Victoria.

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (formerly Green Faith Australia)

  • Founding Member, 2010.
  • Member, Management Committee, 2010-2019.
  • Member, Policy and Advocacy Working Group, 2014-2018.

Jewish Community Arts and Media

  • Helped plant seeds for Elsternwick Jewish Arts Hub, 2000s.
  • Involved in establishing, J-Air, Jewish Radio station, Melbourne, 2012.
  • Established, J-CAM, Jewish Community Arts and Media Australia, 2011.

 Publications

  • Co-Author, A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century, Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010.
  • Hebrew from Zero, a self teaching Hebrew primer.

Awards and Recognition include:

  • President’s Award, Union of Progressive Judaism Conference, 2022.
  • Premier’s Award, Community Harmony, Jewish Christian and Muslim Association of Australia, 2007.

Rabbi Keren-Black is currently travelling around Australia and will make his home in an eco-community in Narara near Gosford in NSW.

He told us: “The award acknowledges the work that I’ve been doing since I’ve been in Australia in a very significant way and it really strengthens the platform for me to carry on working in my new phase of life.

I finished my full-time paid employment of 20 years with Leo Baeck centre in Melbourne at the end of last year. In Arara, we will be building a new kind of house and working with the Jewish and wider community there and I hope to be getting more involved with Indigenous Affairs and GLBTIQ awareness and fairness and interfaith understanding and progressive Jewish development.

And we also have a progressive Jewish community in Central Coast based in Gosford, which I hope to get involved with as well. So altogether and we’re looking forward to it very much.”


Caroline LEWIS, Bellevue Hill NSW 2023

For service to the Jewish community of Sydney.

Caroline Lewis

The Great Synagogue, Sydney

  • Vice President, 2015-2020.
  • Board Member, 2004-2009, 2014-2020.
  • Former Chair, Public Relations Committee, Calendar and Events Committee, and the Editorial Board.
  • Convenor, Women of Worth WOW Weekend, since 2018.

 Jewish Care

  • Foster Parent, 2015.
  • Youth Mentor, 2013-2014.

 Other

  • Certified Adolescent and Parent Life Coach, The SELF Project, since 2015.
  • Career Counsellor, Jewish House, 2014-2015.

For Caroline Lewis, her honour is both a shock and a beautiful acknowledgement for work she has done for the community.

“I have done it whole heartedly for the community and it means a huge amount to me.  I really appreciate it.

I hope that other people can be encouraged to take the small steps needed to make change” she said.


Peter Mark LEWIS, St Kilda East VIC 3183

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Peter Lewis

Rotary Australia

  • Benefactor, Interplast.
  • Benefactor, Rotary Foundation Australia.
  • Benefactor, Australian Rotary Health Research Fund.
  • Benefactor, Indigenous Medical Scholarships.

Rotary District 9810

  • Chairman, District Interplast Committee, since 2018.
  • Member, Youth Exchange Committee, 1996-2000.

Rotary Club of Bentleigh Moorabbin Central Inc.

  • President, 1978-1989.
  • Former Director and Committee Chairman.
  • Member, 1978-2021.

Rotary – Other

  • Benefactor, The Rotary Foundation, Rotary International, current.
  • Member, Rotary Club of Southbank, Melbourne, since 2021.
  • International Presidential Citation, 2016.

Community

  • Benefactor, St Kilda Mums, since 2018.
  • Justice of the Peace, since 1990.
  • Treasurer, McKinnon Football Club, 1975-1980.
  • Director, Sholem Aleichem College, 1986-1994.
  • Fellow, Royal Association of Honorary Justices of Victoria.

Awards and Recognition includes:

  • Paul Harris Fellow, nine occasions.
  • Emerald, Ruby and Gold Companion, Australian Rotary Health.
  • Special Award, Volunteer Recognition Program, City of Glen Eira, 2010.
  • Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“It was a great surprise to be informed that I had been nominated. I am pleased to say that over the years I have been successful in seeing some of my own nominees receive awards.

“I genuinely believe that there are many people out there who warrant an award.

As a Rotarian for 45 years, a Freemason 40 years and a Justice of the Peace of 33 years, I have strong views in relation to community service” he said.

“I come from a traditional Jewish upbringing and often reflect on how lucky my family and I are in this great country when compared to what my late grandparents and great grandparents went through with the atrocities of the first and second world wars.

Gladly, my own three children, their partners and my six grandchildren will not ever see a repeat of what took place so many years ago.

I will celebrate this prestigious award /recognition on my 70th birthday next month. I have always believed in “giving back” and am a major donor to various entities.

I am delighted that my mother, aged 92, is able to celebrate with me on receipt of this prestigious recognition” he said.


Judy LOWY, NSW

Judy Lowy

For service to the Jewish community.

Moriah College

  • President, Moriah Foundation, since 2011.
  • Board Member, Moriah College, 2008- 2022.
  • Co-Chair, Capital Appeal, 2011.

Jewish Community

  • Member of Women’s Division Executive, United Israel Appeal, since 1999.
  • Board Member, Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, since 2018.
  • Chair, Gold Women’s Division, Jewish Communal Appeal, 2004-2008.

Charitable/Philanthropy

  • Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales.
  • Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
  • The Lowy Institute.
  • The Australian Ballet

Judy Lowy told J-Wire:”I am so humbled to have been honoured in this way and I truly do feel that all the people I have worked with over the years equally deserve this recognition. Most of us who do communal work just do it because we believe in giving back and never for any recognition. The thanks really comes from the feeling that one has helped others and helped the community that has given me more than I could ever give it.

I feel beyond blessed every single day to live in this wonderful country and it is honestly my privilege and responsibility to give back in any way that I can.”

 


Stephen Graham MARKS, Toorak VIC 3142

For service to the community through a range of roles.

Stephen Marks

St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research

  • Chair, Finance and Risk Committee, since 2011.
  • Board Member, 2011-2022.

 Board Memberships

  • Board Chair, Chisholm Institute, 2013-2023.
  • Former Board Member, Jewish Care.
  • Board Member, Philip Island Nature Park, 1996-2000.

 Community

  • Director and Treasurer, The Production Company, since 2018.
  • Member, General Committee, Sorrento Golf Club, 2020-2023.
  • Member, Audit Committee, Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, 2009-2016.
  • Member, Council, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, 2012-2018.
  • Board Member, Melbourne South Rotary Club.
  • Former Board Member and Chair, Sponsorship and Fundraising Committee, Blue Ribbon Day Foundation.

 Victorian Government

  • Member, Financial Management Advisory Committee, Department of Human Services, 2012-2014.
  • Victorian Government Appointment, Arada (Police Property Management), 1999-2002.
  • Member, Commercial Forestry Advisory Board, 1996-1988.

 Accounting – Other

  • Managing Director, Stephen G Marks and Co, since 1997.
  • Member, DMP Asset Management Investment Advisory Committee, 2011-2015.
  • Director, International Group of Accounting Firms, New York, 1988-1990.
  • Member, National Insolvency Committee, Institute of Chartered Accountants, 1987-1988.
  • Founder and Managing Partner, Sothertons Chartered Accountants, 1977-1997.
  • Fellow, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, current.
  • Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors, current.

Stephen Marks commented:  “It’s an honour which you don’t expect and when it comes out of the blue, it’s very nice to feel that you’ve been you’ve been recognised for what you’ve done, but it’s really for everyone else and it’s not just for me.”


Michael Solomon MORRIS, Norwest NSW 2153

Michael Morris

For service to the Jewish community of Parramatta.

Parramatta and District Synagogue

  • President, since 2022 and 2011-2019.
  • Various other executive positions including Treasurer and Vice-President, since 1981.
  • Honorary Life Member.

Michael Morris told J-Wire: “I was surprised to learn about the award. What I’ve done over the years is just being part of a committee, various committees. And of some of those, I’ve been president and some of those I haven’t been but as a member of the synagogue, I’ve just done what should have been done by people who want to take some responsibility. So I didn’t really see it as any big deal to warrant this amazing award.”


Gail PARATZ, Paddington QLD 4064

Gail Paratz

For service to the Jewish community, and to interfaith relations.

National Council of Jewish Women Australia

  • Vice-President, Brisbane Branch, since 1999.
  • National Board Member, 2009-2014.

 Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies

  • Chair, Jewish Interfaith Committee, since 2010.

Jewish National Fund Australia

  • President, Queensland Branch, 2007-2014.
  • Member, National Board Jewish National Fund Australia, 2007-2014

National Council of Women Queensland

  • Member, Selection Committee for Bursaries, since 2017.

Queensland Faith Communities Council

  • Foundation Chair, since 2017.

Member, Foundation Steering Committee, 2016-2017

Gail Paratz said: “It’s a lovely recognition of how interfaith contributes to the stability of a community.  The deep, real friendships that we have here in Brisbane. And I suppose in a communal sense, recognition of our small, small but mighty Brisbane Jewish community.”

 


Raoul David SALTER, Armadale VIC 3143

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Raoul Salter

Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH)

  • Member, RCH Diabetes Auxiliary, since 1998.
  • Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Auctioneer, Annual Fundraising and Black Tie events.
  • Member, RCH Development Board, Centre for Hormone Research, 1998-2019.

Saltpillar Theatre

  • Co-Chair, since 2016.
  • Chairman, 1999-2016 and 1994-1997.
  • Committee Member, 1988-1994.
  • Various roles including Producer, Executive Producer, and Cast Member, since 1988.

Jewish Community

  • Blue Box Collector, Jewish National Fund, 1986-2019.
  • MC, various community events.
  • Parent and volunteer MC and Auctioneer, annual fundraising fete, and various events, King David School, since 2012.
  • Board Member, Brighton Hebrew Congregation, 2012-2022.

Gross Waddell Commercial Real Estate

  • Partner, since 2020.
  • Associate Director, 2000-2020.
  • Principal Auctioneer, since 2000.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria

  • Member, Auction Committee, since 2017.
  • Judge, Novice and Senior Auction Competition, since 2016.

Property Council of Australia

  • Mentor, Mentor Program, 2022-2023, 2021-2022, and 2020-2021.

Business – Other

  • Commercial Manager, Linfox, 1997-1999.
  • Associate Director, Knight Frank, 1994-1997.

At first Raoul Salter thought that the email informing him he had been awarded an Honour was spam.

He soon found out that it was real.

“I was very humbled.  Someone had gone to the trouble to put me forward.

I have always been drawn to doing things for the community; I wanted to be involved and get pleasure out of giving back and contributing.

I recently did some auctioneering at a fundraiser for King David School – that was fun. I don’t like to let people down” he said.


Dr Margaret SHAPIRO, Southport QLD 4215

For service to community health.

Margaret Shapiro

Gold Coast Health

  • Chair, Consumer Advisory Group, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, since 2020, and Member, since 2015.
  • Advocate, Health Literacy, current.
  • Member, Clinical Governance Committee, current.

 Education

  • Honorary Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland, since 1980’s.
  • Former Honorary Professor of Social Work, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University.

Public Health Association of Australia (Queensland)

  • Former President.
  • Former Secretary.

 Professional – Other

  • Founder, ’60 and Better’ Healthy Ageing Program, 40 years.
  • Former Member, Community Advisory Council, Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
  • Former Editorial Board Member, Journal of Interprofessional Care.
  • Former Editorial Board Member, Dementia Journal.
  • Public Panel Member, Health Practitioners Panel of Assessors, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, 2010.

“I am very pleased to get this Honour, it is not something I expected to get.

I had been advised of the award a few days earlier and quite frankly was overwhelmed and humbled to think that I had been nominated for such an honour.

I must say that working within the community is never one-way traffic. There are enormous rewards, challenges and wonderful memories that accompany such a role. I am truly honoured that I should be recognised for my work in this way.

I have worked in the community for many years, promoting the ’60 and Better’ Healthy Ageing Program in Queensland” she said.

The program is for each community to develop their own program promoting healthy aging and socialization for people who are becoming isolated. The program aims to draw on local communities to avoid the problems of isolation of individuals whilst promoting healthy ageing.

We are living for a long time, so the idea is to keep healthy” said Margaret Shapiro.


Jeannette Joy TSOULOS, West Pymble NSW 2073

For service to the Jewish community.

Jeanne Tsoulos

National Council of Jewish Women

  • Member, since 1988.
  • Archivist, New South Wales Branch, since 2000.
  • Co-Chair, National Environment Committee, 2005-2007.

 Australian Jewish Historical Society

  • Member, since 1988.
  • Committee Member, 1999-2016.

 Australian Jewish Genealogical Society

  • Member, since 1994.
  • President, 2019-2020 and 2009-2014.
  • Vice President, 2005-2009.
  • Honorary Secretary, 2002-2005.
  • Resources Librarian, 2000-2002.

 Jewish Community – Other

  • Volunteer, Centenary of Anzac Jewish Program, Australian War Memorial, since 2019.
  • Co-Chair, Environment and Sustainable Development Committee, International Council of Jewish Women, since 2018 and Member, since 2014.

Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment

  • Founding Member, since 1994.
  • Committee Member, 1994-2005.

“I am extremely honoured to receive this Award. There are so many other volunteers who should get one” she told J-Wire.

“It is nice to be recognised for the time I have spent volunteering.

“I am rather attached to, and will continue to work with, the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society as long as I am able” she said.

She will continue to support National Council of Jewish Women (NCJWA).

“NCJWA has been a very important part of my life for decades, along with Australian Jewish Historical Society and the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society” she said.


Alexander Gidaliahu WAISLITZ, Toorak VIC 3142

Alex Waislitz

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Waislitz Foundation

  • Founder and Chairman, since 2013.
  • Co-sponsor, The Waislitz Global Citizen Awards, since 2014.
  • Supporter, Clontarf Foundation, since 2014.
  • Supporter, a range of other charitable organisations and causes, since 2013.

Thorney Investment Group

  • Founder and Executive Chairman, since 1991.
  • Chairman, Thorney Opportunities, since 2000.
  • Chairman, Thorney Technologies, since 2017.

Visy Industries

  • Director, Family Board, 1991-2009.
  • Member, Finance Committee, 1991-2009.

 Board Appointments

  • Vice-President, 2009-2021, Collingwood Football Club, and Director, 1998-2009.
  • Member, Board of Directors, Zoos Victoria, 2010-2013.
  • Member, Advisory Board, School of Management, Ben-Gurion University, 2003-2005.

 The Arts

  • Producer, Hotel de Love, Australian film by Director Craig Rosenberg, 1996.
  • Producer, Joey, Australian children’s film by Director Ian Barry, 1996.

   Awards and Recognition include:

  • Save A Child’s Heart Humanitarian Award, 2019.

Alex Waislitz told J-Wire: “It’s a great honour to be recognised for the work you do and the philanthropic endeavours we do were not for awards.

It makes me think back to my late parents coming as refugees to this country penniless and not knowing the language and sacrificing so much so that my sister, brother myself could get an education and a future and to have actually delivered something that’s acknowledged by through these awards is,  a tribute to them and the respect that I can give to them as a result of it all.”


This report was produced by Roz Tarszis and Henry Benjamin

Did we miss anyone? Let us know by emailing awards@jwire.com.au

Comments

2 Responses to “King’s Birthday Honours 2023”
  1. Shirley Zauer says:

    Adina Allen and Samuel Allen (dec.), OAM, division HP

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