Frontline sector leaders recognised in Australia Day Honours list 2025

This year’s Australia Day Honours shone a light on the inspirational work of sector leaders in areas such as trauma-informed education, social equity and mental health services for farmers. Philanthropy Australia congratulates the philanthropists and those in the not-for-profit sector who have been recognised.

In total, 732 Australians were honoured in the list for outstanding work in their communities or service areas. Those connected with Philanthropy Australia member organisations include Dr Robyn Miller AM (pictured above), CEO of MacKillop Family Services, and Natasha Johnston OAM, Founder and Director of Farm Angels, were among those who received honours. Justice and Equity Centre board member Penny Gerstle AM received her award for significant service to human rights, community health and to people with disability.

Dr Miller was awarded for significant service to children, young people and families. MacKillop Family Services provides support to some of the most vulnerable families in our communities. Her commitment to improving the lives of children and families in need has spanned a 40-year career, beginning as a social worker and family therapist. Having volunteered for St Vincent de Paul Society and the Brotherhood of St Laurence while a student at RMIT University, Dr Miller has deep roots in the social justice and community sectors. 

“I am deeply humbled to be recognised with an Order of Australia, although the people who really deserve an award are the brave children and families I am privileged to work with every day,” said Dr Miller.

“I dedicate this award to the children and families I have worked with, the extraordinary staff and carers at MacKillop, and all my colleagues in the sector, whose unwavering commitment to keeping children safe and supporting families makes a real difference every day.”

Natasha Johnston was awarded her OAM for service to the community through drought relief. Farm Angels is a charity that provides “a listening ear, a warm hug and personalised support to the well-being of farming families impacted by natural disasters such as drought, fire, mouse plague & flood”.

Natasha, known as Tash, is said to have built the organisation from the ground up after hearing stories of farmers and their families who had been impacted by drought in the country cafe where she previously worked. Farm Angels works to support a “proud demographic” that is known for battling alone and not reaching out for help. Its ambition is to reduce the rates of suicide in rural Australia and keep farmers from walking off the land.

“It’s a real honour and very unexpected,” Tash said. “It’s so nice that the work of the whole team, not just me, has been recognised. We certainly don’t do it for the accolades, but I appreciate that it brings attention to the cause.

“I’m really passionate and happy when I can inspire others. Our farmers need to know that they’re not alone, they’re not forgotten. We need them and we need to value them a lot more than we do.”

Penny has spent 30 years working to improve the lives of people facing disadvantage, centred on refugees and asylum seekers, human rights advocacy, people with disability and the support of maternal health projects internationally. She is also Co-Chair of Human Rights Watch Australia, among other appointments.

Other friends and associates of Philanthropy Australia who received awards include Scientia Professor Megan Davis AC, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Society at UNSW Sydney, who spoke at our event on the Voice Referendum in 2024. She was awarded her AC for eminent service to the law and to social justice, to the national and international advocacy of the rights of Indigenous peoples, and to the community.

David Shelmerdine AO was awarded for distinguished service to conservation and environmental sustainability through sector governance and philanthropic contributions. Managing Director of Laradoc, a family-owned agricultural company and has served as Founding Director and Deputy Chair of ClimateWorks Australia for more than 16 years. He is chairman of the Melior Australian Impact Fund Advisory Council, a Director of Australian Desert Expeditions and served as a director and president of the Geneva-based Gold Standard Foundation for 10 years.

Deborah Killelea AM, Founder and Director of The Charitable Foundation (TCF), received her award for significant service to the community through charitable organisations. She also has roles as Co-Founder and Chair of the Be Centre at Warriewood, illustrating her long-standing and meaningful involvement in the not-for-profit sector. 

Deborah and her husband Steve Killelea have been featured in the Australian Financial Review’s Philanthropy 50 top givers list a number of times. Deborah co-founded TCF in 2001 to formalise the family’s philanthropy and support her passion for helping children. Her professional career has been devoted to working with aboriginal children, children with physical disabilities and those with behavioural issues. The foundation has supported more than 249 projects in 38 countries. In 2008 Deborah set up the Be Centre, which is a mental health charity providing Play Therapy for children aged 3-12. It is dedicated to early intervention, stopping cycles of harm and helping children heal from difficulties and trauma.

A full list of awardees is available online.