Australia Day Honours 2023

The for purpose and charity sector is celebrating a number of Australia Day Honours this year, including former Smith Family CEO Lisa O’Brien.

Industry stalwart Lisa O’Brien, who led the Smith Family as CEO for a decade, was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Australia Day Honours for significant service to the community, particularly through social welfare organisations.

Founder of the suicide prevention charity Roses in the Ocean, Bronwen Edwards AM was honoured for significant service to mental health and suicide prevention.

Marion Webster AM was honoured for for significant service to the community, to the philanthropic sector, and to women and Giles Gunesekera AM for service to social welfare, and to the community.

Denise Smith-Ali AM was honoured for her service in preserving Indigenous language at the Noongar Boodjar Language Aboriginal Corporation in West Australia.

Archie Roach, who died in July, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for performing arts as a songwriter and musician,  but also Indigenous rights and reconciliation, and through support for emerging First Nations artists. Tasmanian Margaret Reynolds AC was honoured for service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to social justice, gender equality and Indigenous rights, to local government, and to the community.