Jewish Aussies reap honours
Jewish Australians have again figured strongly in today's Australia Day Honours. Out of 895 awardees in this year's national-day honours, 26 are Jewish - almost three per cent - while Jewish Australians make up only 0.4 per cent of the national population.
JEWISH Australians have again figured strongly in today’s Australia Day Honours.
Out of 895 awardees in this year’s national-day honours, 26 are Jewish, almost three per cent, while Jewish Australians make up only 0.4 per cent of the national population.
Topping the list was senior Alfred Hospital neurosurgeon Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld who was recognised with Australia’s highest civilian honour for his groundbreaking medical work and his service to the military and the community.
But for the newly minted Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), it has been a sad time, because he farewelled his beloved father Joe Rosenfeld, who passed away on January 20.
David Bardas of Melbourne was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service in the retail fashion industry, the Jewish community, and through philanthropy.
Professor Jonathan Kalman was given an AO for his medical work in cardiac electrophysiology.
Dr David Andrew Sinclair received an AO
fordistinguished service to medical research into the biology of ageing and lifespan extension, as a geneticist and academic, to biosecurity initiatives, and as an advocate for the study of science.
Emeritus Professor Michael David Coper was made an AO for distinguished service to legal education, and to the law, as an academic, author and administrator, through advisory roles, and to safety standards in the transport industry.
Dr Rosalie Balkin was made an AO for distinguished service to maritime law through roles with a range of organisations, to the improvement of global shipping transport safety and standards, and to education as an academic and author.
Professor David Handelsman also received an AO for distinguished service to medicine, particularly to reproductive endocrinology and andrology, as a clinician, author and researcher, to the science of doping in sport, and to medical education.
Recognised as Members of the Order of Australia (AM) were Professor George Braitberg of Melbourne for his contributions to emergency medicine and health system design, Leonard Kempler of Melbourne for his role in cultural and charitable organisations, and Dr Danny Lamm of Melbourne for his work in the Jewish community and multicultural affairs.
AMs also went to Leah Mann of Melbourne for her youth and welfare activities, Justice Howard Nathan of Melbourne for his services to law and the community, Professor Frank Oberklaid of Melbourne for his clinical paediatrics roles, John Schaffer of Perth for his philanthropy and Professor Anthony Weiss of Sydney for his work in biotechnology.
Earning Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) were Jewish communal and business figure Alex Abulafia, geneticist Adjunct Professor Agnes Bankier, GP Dr Leonard Brenner, fundraiser Suzanne Brown, Rabbi Ralph Genende for his shule development and outreach work, music educator Roberta Goot, interfaith worker Faye Haskin-Dubrowin, volunteer Aron Kleinlehrer, aged-care volunteer Peter Lewis, Jewish communal and local government figure Michael Lipshutz, volunteer Margot Melzak, rowing coach David Ochert, volunteer Alan Samuel, GP Dr Karen Wayne and paediatrician Anthony Weldon.
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove paid tribute to all Australians recognised in this year’s awards.
“I offer my deepest congratulations, admiration and respect for your contribution to our nation. We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our nation and it is only fitting that they have today been recognised through the Australian Honours system.”
Full coverage will be in the next print edition of The AJN.
If you’re aware of anyone who we have missed from the list, please email zeddy@jewishnews.net.au.
PETER KOHN
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