Australia Day honours for members of the community
JEWISH Australians from various walks of life, including law, business, psychology and local government, were among those recognised today for their service to the country.
AJN STAFF
JEWISH Australians from various walks of life, including law, business, psychology and local government, were among those recognised this week for their service to the country.
In all, 446 people were awarded Australia Day honours on January 26, among them psychologist Dr Vicki Gordon, who received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the Victorian community through a range of organisations. The former Jewish Community Council of Victoria executive member and Jewish Care advisory group member specialises in the communal impact of Asperger’s syndrome and Holocaust trauma.
Also in the health field, John Silk, president of Parkinson’s NSW and secretary of Parkinson’s Australia, was awarded an OAM for his commitment to helping people with the debilitating disease. Shula Endrey-Walder, co-founder of Gift of Life Australia, can also now place OAM after her name. Endrey-Walder is well-known in the community for raising awareness of Tay-Sachs disease and for recruiting potential stem cell and bone marrow donors.
Fashion industry executive Naomi Milgrom was honoured as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to business and as a leader and mentor in her field, and for her arts, health and philanthropic roles.
The executive chair, CEO and managing director of the Sussan Group chaired the Melbourne Fashion Festival from 2001 to 2008 and is a trustee of the Jewish Museum of Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Sydney businessman and philanthropist Steven Lowy became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). The Westfield Group managing director’s corporate fundraising initiatives and personal and family donations have benefited groups including the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, the United Israel Appeal and the Jewish Communal Appeal.
Former Port Phillip mayor and Municipal Association of Victoria president Dick Gross was also awarded an AM for his services to local government.
Bentleigh Progressive Community vice-president Noel Hall was awarded an OAM for services to youth through Scouts and to the community.
Other OAM recipients include Sydney music educator and Jewish scouting administrator Shirley Politzer, Melbourne automotive industry leader Joseph Shneider and Alfred Stein, the honorary life chair of Australian Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
Additional AO recipients include retired NSW Supreme Court Justice David Levine and Australian Broadcasting Corporation board member Steven Skala.
Ezekiel (Zeke) Solomon was awarded an AM for his work in the law and arts in NSW and his role in the development of international trade.
Paying tribute to this year’s Australia Day honourees, Governor-General Quentin Bryce said: “I want to give my strong support to the awards made through the Australian Honours system.
“They elevate the concept of giving to others. They heighten our respect for one another, and they encourage Australians to think about the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy.”