The dedicated lives of several women and men Religious have been esteemed in the 2008 Australia Day Honours.
(Those appointed) OFFICER (AO) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Sister Patricia Mary RHATIGAN
Sisters of St John of God, PO Box 7391, Broome WA 6725
For service to rural and remote education, particularly through activities supporting Indigenous development and learning in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and through Catholic, governmental, educational and representational roles at state and national levels.
Sister Patricia entered the Kimberley Congregation of the Order of the Sisters of St John of God in 1958.
Kimberley Regional Officer, Catholic Education Office (CEO) of Western Australia, 1983-1992.
CEO State Representative, State Accreditation Committee for Training Courses (for Indigenous people working in schools), 1992.
CEO State Representative, Priority Country Area Program, Kimberley Education Committee, 1984-1992.
CEO State Representative, Aboriginal Affairs Regional Coordination Committee, 1990-1992.
CEO State Representative, Broome Learning Network Centre, 1991.
Foundation Chairperson, CEO Language Team, 1985-1992.
Head, Economics Department, Nulungu Catholic College, Broome, 1974-1981; involved in the establishment and development of the College.
Taught at the Holy Rosary School, Derby; at the Beagle Bay and Lombodria Aboriginal communities; and at the Nulungu Catholic College in Broome.
(Those appointed) MEMBER (AM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Brother Barry James BUCKLEY
Christian Brothers, 70 Kate Street, Indooroopilly Qld 4068
For service to education through leadership and development roles in Catholic schools, and to religious life through the Congregation of Christian Brothers.
Director, Nudgee International College, since 1995; the College is part of the ministry of the Christian Brothers; provides English language training for international students and has been responsible for the education of some 12,000 students from overseas.
(Those awarded) MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Sister Elizabeth LITTLE
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent, Darwin NT 0800
For service to education in the Northern Territory, particularly through Indigenous staff support roles.
Consultant for Indigenous Staff, Catholic Education Office, Darwin, 2001.
Principal, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Wadeye (Port Keats), 1987-2000.
Foundation Principal, Sacred Heart School, Berrimah, 1986-1987.
Principal, St Paul's School, Nightcliff, 1975-1983.
Principal, St Teresa's School, Bathurst Island, 1974-1975.
Provincial Secretary and Provincial Councillor, Australian Province, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, since 2002. Professed Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 1966.
Sister Helen Mary LITTLE
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent, GPO Box 389, Darwin NT 0801
For service to education, particularly in the Northern Territory, to religious life through the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and to the community of Darwin.
Coordinator of Catholic Indigenous Community Schools, Catholic Education Office, Northern Territory, since 2006.
Principal Mentor for Indigenous Principals and School Leadership Teams, Bathurst Island, 2004-2005.
Committee Member, Human Resources Standing Committee, Catholic Education Council of the Northern Territory.
Principal, St Mary's primary school, Darwin, 1992-2002; Board Member; Member, Parish Pastoral Council.
Principal, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs, 1978 and 1987-1989.
Teacher in Catholic schools in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland prior to teaching service in the Northern Territory; teacher in Nauru, 1979.
Superior, Northern Territory, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Professed Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 1969.
Chaplain (part-time), Royal Darwin Hospital, ca2005; Selection Panel for Hospital Chaplain and Clinical Pastoral Education applicants.
Member, Team supporting divorced and separated adults and the grieving, 1992-2001.
Chaplain, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, 1990-1991.
Sister Helen Margaret RYAN
Dominican Convent, 39 Chilton Parade, Warrawee NSW 2074
For service to the community, particularly in the field of choral music.
Sister Helen is a Dominican Sister who for the past 50 years has served as an educator in the field of music - piano, violin, voice, classroom, and children's choirs
Awards in the Australian honours system represent the highest level of recognition that can be accorded by the nation for attainment of outstanding achievement and service. The Honours seek to recognise community values and celebrate what is important and unifying in national life.
The Chairman of the Council of the Order, Sir James Gobbo, said "A diversity of service across all fields of endeavour is recognised in the announcement of the Australia Day Honours List. These awards are public recognition of people who provide outstanding community service and whose achievements enhance national identity. By their actions they demonstrate the qualities of positive role models who are not only worthy of respect but encourage emulation. These awards recognise particularly the quiet achievers, who serve the community, but do not seek accolades for themselves."
Other Catholics to be recognised include:
(Those appointed) MEMBER (AM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Mr John Garrard FLYNN, Stuart Park NT
For service to the community of the Northern Territory in a range of public sector roles supporting the administration of justice, and through sporting, church and Indigenous welfare organisations.
Mr Anthony Joseph McGRATH, Killarney Heights NSW
For service to the Australian harness racing industry, and to the community through a range of charitable and social welfare organisations.
(Those awarded) MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Mr Leslie Frederick (Bunny) ABBOTT, Lithgow NSW
For service to the community of Lithgow, particularly in Rugby League football as a player, coach, referee, official and timekeeper.
Mr John Joseph BRADY, Barwon Heads Vic
For service to the community of the Geelong region through support for a range of charitable, sporting and social welfare organisations.
Dr Leo Michael CLAREBROUGH, Canterbury Vic
For service to science in the area of metal physics, and to the community through activities supporting youth welfare, aged care, social justice and ecumenical dialogue.
Ms Kathleen Veronica (Kellie) COLLINS, Blacktown NSW
For service to local government, and to the community of Blacktown through a range of sporting, charitable and civic organisations.
Mr John Athol GALLOWAY, Tamworth NSW
For service to the community of Tamworth through a range of youth, service and church organisations.
Mr Ian Conway HAY, Aranda ACT
For service to the community through the Catholic Church and aged care services in the Canberra region.
Mr William James HOWITT, Narrandera NSW
For service to the community of Narranderra, particularly through the provision of support for people with disabilities and through a range of church, service and educational organisations.
Mr James Thomas KENNETT, Bombala NSW
For service to the community of Bombala, particularly through organisations that support the welfare of veterans and their families.
Mrs Carolyn Jane LYONS, Gulargambone NSW
For service to rural communities, particularly in the area of health and through activities with the Sisters of Charity Outreach.
Ms Lina MARROCCO, Camberwell Vic
For service to the community, particularly through fundraising roles supporting medical research and educational organisations.
Mrs Joan Bridget MOORE, Mareeba Qld
For service to the community, particularly through the Queensland Branch of the Australian Pensioners' and Superannuants' League.
Mrs Lorna Frances MORRIS, Numurkah Vic
For service to the community of Numurkah, particularly through a range of church and sporting organisations, and to the provision of support services for users of the magistrates court system.
Ms Therese O'BRIEN, Buderim Qld
For service to the community of Toowoomba through a range of social welfare services.
Mrs Mary Gemma PAGANI, Rosslyn Park SA
For service to the community, particularly the terminally ill, through the provision of pastoral care.
Colonel Francis Adrian ROBERTS (Retd), Curtin ACT
For service to veterans in the Australian Capital Territory, particularly through the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Association.
Mr Frank ROBINSON, Gunnedah NSW
For service to the welfare of aged citizens, particularly through the Grey Power Association, and to the community of Gunnedah.
Mrs Thelma Loraine RYAN, Berrigan NSW
For service to the community of Berrigan through a range of social welfare, church and aged care organisations.
Mrs Brenda Mary STEWART, Bentleigh Vic
For service to the community of Bentleigh through a range of church and charitable organisations.
Mr Michael STEWART, Bentleigh Vic
For service to the community of Bentleigh through a range of church and charitable organisations.
Dr Kevin TRESTON, Wilston Qld
For service to Catholic education, particularly in the areas of leadership, school renewal, teacher and curriculum development and through contributions to theological and pastoral care programmes.
Mr Paul Vincent WAKIM, Strathfield NSW
For service to the community through contributions to a range of migration and multicultural organisations, and to the law.
Mr Brian Desmond WARD, Balwyn North Vic
For service to the community, particularly through a range of executive roles with the Australian Red Cross.
Mrs Berenice Deirdre WRIGHT, Mackay Qld
For service to the community of Mackay as a local historian and through volunteer roles with health care, church and civic organisations.
According to Sir James, the Order of Australia relies entirely upon community initiative for submission of nominations.
"It is important that the honours system continues to uphold the national ethos of valuing diversity and recognises the contributions made by citizens to Australian cultural and social life regardless of background," he said.
"All Australians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of others and who they think are deserving of national recognition in the Honours List."
pathways acknowledges
CathNews as the source of this list of names.
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