Honours for Jewish Aussies

Mazal tov to our honourees, who are part of the 949 Australians who have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours.

“Throughout 2025, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Australian honours system and the people who for the past half century have epitomised the best of Australia” said Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

“As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others. It is rewarding to see an increase in the number of awards, which reflects more nominations and recognition of the many Australians who inspire the best in all of us.”

OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)

Michael Carr-Greg (VIC)

For distinguished service to child and adolescent psychology, to policy reform as an advocate and advisor, to youth cyber safety, and to the community.

David Forbes (VIC)

For distinguished service to mental health research and practice, to the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, and to academia.

MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM) 

Michael Carr-Greg (VIC)

For distinguished service to child and adolescent psychology, to policy reform as an advocate and advisor, to youth cyber safety, and to the community.

Late Norman Faifer (Vic)

For his significant service to the building and construction industry, and to the community.

George Newhouse (NSW)

For significant service to the law, to the legal profession, and to the community.

Leon Pitchon (SA) 

For significant service to medicine as a plastic surgeon, and to the arts through philanthropy.

Graham Spencer-Laitt (WA)

For distinguished service to medical research, to haematology and translational medicine, to advancing access to clinical trials in regional and rural communities, and to tertiary education.

MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM)

Mark Berkovich (Qld)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Robert Bontscheck (Vic)

For service to the Jewish community of Melbourne, and to the media.

Andrew Brostek (WA)

For service to dentistry.

Steven Curtis (Vic)

For service to the Jewish community of Melbourne.

Alex Dafner (Vic)

For service to the Jewish community of Melbourne.

David Denver (WA)

For service to the Jewish community of Western Australia.

Jeremy Dunkel (NSW)

For his service to the Jewish community.

George Ermer (Vic)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Maurice (Joe) Kensell (NSW)

Joe Kensell told The AJN his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the Jewish community and history preservation came “out of the blue”.

Debra Korman (Vic)

For service to the community through a range of organisations.

Daniel Lustig (Vic)

For service to the community through a range of roles.

Judith Schiff (Vic)

For service to the Jewish community of Victoria.

John Slutzkin (Vic)

For service to Melbourne’s Jewish community and to hockey.

Kayla Szumer (QLD) 

For service to the community through social welfare organisations.