“Reflect, Respect and Celebrate”

This was the Australia Day theme for 2023 and The Order of Australia Association NSW Branch showed us how!

Australia Day is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian spirit and the best of this country – our mateship, our sense of community and our multicultural diversity. The Story of Australia began 60,000 years ago. New chapters are written every day. On our National Day, we reflect on our history, its highs and its lows and the need to respect the stories of others. We celebrate our nation, its achievements and most of all, its people as we’re all part of the story.

Australians recognise the importance of celebrating our national day – an inclusive day where people from all walks of life are welcome and different views are respected. We are a multicultural nation and celebrate our achievements by coming together and connecting with family, friends and community on Australia Day.

There are more citizenship ceremonies held on Australia Day than any other day, which is a fantastic way to welcome our newest Australians into the community. On Australia Day, as well as the Australian of Year awards, thousands of Australians are recognised via the Australian Honours and Awards system, The Order of Australia. This was instituted in 1975 and recognises the outstanding meritorious service and contributions of Australians. The Australia Day 2023 Honours List recognises and celebrates 1,047 recipients.

Order of Australia recipients come from right across the country and from all walks of life, cultures and experiences. While some are well-known, the majority are unsung heroes. While typically they haven’t sought thanks or recognition, they certainly deserve both. The Honours and Awards system gives the nation a chance to celebrate and acknowledge those who work tirelessly to improve local communities and to make Australia a better place.

The Order of Australia Association is a national body with branches in all States and Territories with members being recipients of awards or appointments in the Order of Australia. The Association fosters community awareness of the Order of Australia, our history, traditions and culture, our youth and promotes good Australian citizenship. They embrace the cultural and religious diversity of the Australian people including indigenous Australians, the traditional custodians of our land.

This year, 150 Order of Australia Association NSW Branch members and guests enjoyed the Australia Day Harbour cruise and luncheon, a longstanding annual event for the Association.

It was a most enjoyable, relaxed day on Sydney Harbour aboard the Captain Cook III on a picture perfect summer day. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere with good food, drinks and importantly exchanging stories and life experiences with other Order of Australia recipients from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds. All aboard had front row seats to the Australia Day Ferrython, the Salute to Australia and fast jet flyover, the Navy Helicopter flag display, the Maritime Mayhem water show, the Australia Day Harbour Parade, the Tall Ships Race and the Working Harbour Festival.

In the theme of the Australian spirit, the charity supported this year was the Royal Flying Doctor Service who provides care to all Australians! The very generous members and guests present raised $3,380 on the day.

The Order of Australia Association NSW Chairman Mr Jim Mein AM welcomed members and guests and highlighted the importance of The Order of Australia Awards in recognising the significant work and service of our fellow Australians especially in rural and remote areas across our Nation. He stressed the importance of nominating worthy Australians for recognition, including women, younger people and Australians from our many diverse indigenous and multicultural backgrounds.

Deputy Chairman and Event manager Dr John Gullotta AM, thanked everyone for attending and supporting this special day. He then highlighted and expanded on the excellent work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service NSW, who brings vital emergency medical and primary health services to our remote and regional areas to reduce the disparity in health service access for all Australians.

It was a very successful and enjoyable day and we look forward to reflecting, respecting and celebrating our National Day again next year!

Dr John Gullotta AM
Deputy Chairman and Events Manager
The Order of Australia Association NSW