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Honouring Regional Australians: 2026 Australia Day Recipients

27 January 2026

 

The Regional Australia Institute recognises the many great Australians in our regional communities who have been acknowledged in the Australia Day Honours.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division

  • Mr Michael John Betts: For significant service to the community of Geelong.
  • Professor John Colin Rolfe: For significant service to regional economic development as an economist and author.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division 

  • Mr Douglas Harry Ahola: For service to the community of Port Pirie. 
  • Mr Kerry John Ambrose-Pearce: For service to the community of the Northern Territory. 
  • Mr Laurience Roger Ashcroft: For service to the community of Parkes
  • Mr William John Baker: For service to the community of Queanbeyan. 
  • Mrs Elizabeth Bate: For service to the community of Lara. 
  • Mr Athol Reginald Bennett: For service to the community of the Southern Midlands.
  • Ms Roxanne Elizabeth Bennett: For service to the community of Geelong. 
  • Mr Michael James Berry: For service to the community of Dunoon. 
  • Mr Richard William Blackman: For service to the community of Coonabarabran.
  • Mrs Deborah Ann Brassey: For service to the community of Pacific Palms.
  • Mrs Judith Brooke: For service to the community of Bathurst. 
  • The late Mrs Janice Margaret Cattle: For service to the community of West Wyalong. 
  • Mrs Jan Childs, Berowra: For service to the community of Berowra. 
  • Mr Phillip Leigh Clifford: For service to the community of Maffra.
  • Mr David Peter Coleman: For service to the community of Tasmania, and to the arts.
  • Mrs Colleen Maree Davis, Wangaratta: For service to the community of Wangaratta.
  • The late Mr Graham Sydney Dickinson: For service to the community of Gisborne.
  • Mr Roger John Downs: For service to the community of the Illawarra Region. 
  • Mr Peter David Edgar: For service to the community of Cobram.
  • Mrs Beverley Anne Edwards: For service to the community of the Cardinia region.
  • Mr John Alex Elliott: For service to the community of Wilcannia.
  • Dr William Douglas Gransbury: For service to the community of Angaston.
  • Mr Bruce Leslie Green: For service to local government, and to the community of Port Lincoln.
  • Mr Rodney James Green: For service to the community of Rockhampton.
  • Mr John Winston Hollis: For service to the community of Bathurst.
  • Mr Raymond Bruce Hughston: For service to the community of Wanaaring.
  • Mr Patrick James Kerrigan: For service to the community of the Snowy Monaro region
  • Mr Charles Edward Khan: For service to the community of Dimbulah
  • Mr John Gordon Killick: For service to the community of Galong.
  • Mr Robert Malcolm Lewis: For service to the community of the New England region.
  • Mr Donald Arthur Lockley: For service to community of the Northern Territory.
  • Mr Rhys Hollington London: For service to the community of Wynyard.
  • Mr Ian Norman Mackay: For service to the community of the Illawarra.
  • Mrs Diane Marlyce Mackrell: For service to the community of the Strathbogie region.
  • Mrs Margaret Elizabeth McArthur: For service to the community of Mornington Peninsula.
  • Mr Barry William Membrey: For service to the community of Albury-Wodonga.
  • Mr Stanley Nelson: For service to the community of Maryborough.
  • Mr Terence Gilbert Perry: For service to the community of King Island.
  • The late Mr William John Quinlan-Watson: For service to the community of Robe.
  • Mr William George Rebula: For service to the community of Geelong.
  • Mr Gordon Murray Simpson: For service to the community of Alexandra.
  • The late Mr Jacobus Hubertus Smits: For service to the community of Port Fairy.
  • Mr Kevin Arthur Stroud, Currimundi: For service to the community of Caloundra.
  • Mr Leo John Tellefson: For service to the community of the Buloke Shire.
  • Mr Bruce Vincent Townsend: For service to the community of Raymond Terrace.
  • Mr Graeme Sidney Turner: For service to the community of the Gippsland region.
  • Mr Kevin Claude Watkins: For service to the community of Launceston.
  • Mr Paul David Woodhouse: For service to the community of north-western Queensland.
  • The late Mr Archibald Julian Woods: For service to the community of the Yorke Peninsula.

For media enquiries contact:

Regional Australia Institute 
Ph: 0498 373 300
E: [email protected]