Several prominent Catholics have been honoured in the 2026 Australia Day awards for services to the community through aged care, maritime welfare, health, and services to the city of Sydney.
The Australia Day honours are bestowed onto active and dedicated members of the community who often have decades of service under their belt in a wide variety of fields.
There are four levels of awards, beginning with Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM), Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Officer of the Order of Australia (OA), and at the highest level, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Australia Day celebrations took place across the city and even in Rome, with parishes and chapels praying especially for the country at Masses, including at the Domus Australia guesthouse where Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP preached on its many gifts and its challenges. (See homily pages 10-11)
Former New South Wales premier and senator Kristina Keneally was awarded an OA for her service to the parliament of Australia and NSW, particularly as the state’s first female premier from 2009 to 2011, which she said left her “heart full of gratitude.”
Keneally was a spokesperson for World Youth Day in 2008 in Sydney, an event she told The Catholic Weekly in 2024 made her feel a “strong sense of connection with my fellow Catholics.”
“There was a lot of negativity around prior to World Youth Day that it was somehow going to be this takeover of the city that would be a frustrating experience for people,” she said at the time.
“But once those pilgrims arrived with their joy, their laughter and their faith, they were just tangible signs of hope across the city, and you did see the city transform into a happy place for everyone.”
Reflecting on the event in light of her award, she said World Youth Day was a “most special moment” in her political career.
After her time as premier, she moved into the senate from 2012 to 2022, resigning to make an unsuccessful bid to become the member for Fowler.
Currently Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation CEO, she brings her previous passion for neonatal and children’s health to life.
“My most closely held values remain to social justice and strong communities, and I thank Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for the opportunity to live this commitment,” she said.
“With SCHF’s donors and the amazing clinicians at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, we are unlocking the power of philanthropy to change the future for sick kids.”
Other Catholics receiving OAMs include Michael Kelly from Yowie Bay, honoured for his service to seafarers’ welfare, and to the maritime transport industry, and Robert Kirby for services to Sydney.
Kelly is involved with several maritime organisations including volunteering for seafarers’ charity Stella Maris and organising the annual Christmas seafarer gift hamper since 2018.
A marine pilot and member of the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute (AMPI), he has displayed “decades of commitment to both professional excellence and community service.”
“He has also played a vital role in mentoring and supporting young people entering the maritime profession,” the AMPI said in a statement posted on social media.
“This national honour is richly deserved and reflects the very best of our profession.”
Kelly was also a recipient of the Dempsey Medal in 2020, which was presented to him by Archbishop Fisher.
Kirby has a long history of service, being a part of the Order of Malta since 1977, and the Rotary Club of Iron Cove since 1981. He was club president in 1985 to 1986 and is the currently director.
The Kirby family has been deeply involved with the Order of Malta. Dr Ernest Kirby AM and Anne Kirby were founding members in the Australian Association of the Order of Malta, with Anne later becoming the first dame of the order in Australia.
Kirby has also served his local parish community of All Hallows in Five Dock, being chair of the aged care management committee from the 1980s until 2019. He was the parish’s aged care building community secretary in the 1980s and 1990s.
Other members of the Order of Malta also received OAMs with Gerard O’Donnell and Shaun Bonett both honoured for service to the community through a range of organisations.
O’Donnell is currently president of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Doncaster Conference, a position he held in 2014 to 2017 and since 2023.
O’Donnell has organised Masses in aged care homes, distributed weather-resistant clothing for Melbourne’s homeless, and has aided palliative care patients by writing the biographies of more than 40 people.
“He is a dedicated servant of the poor and the sick, with executive role in the Order of Malta’s Central Eastern Region’s council, as well as one of the order’s most active hospitaller work volunteer,” said Order of Malta vice president and coordinator for formation Daniel Kwak.
Other Catholics receiving awards include Dr Andrew Sindone who was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (OA) for “significant service to cardiology, and to cardiovascular disease research,” Nicholas Mersiades who received an Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) for “significant service to aged welfare” and Anthony Keating who received an OAM for “service to the community through a range of organisations.”
