Radio Brisvaani
Awards were received for outstanding services in health, arts & community leadership
Canberra, June 8 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Eleven Australians of Indian heritage have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions across public health, women’s empowerment, the arts, multicultural engagement, and community welfare. Their inclusion in the national list of 830 awardees highlights the growing role of Indian-origin Australians in shaping the nation’s social and civic landscape.
Leading the list is Professor (Dr) Gita Mishra, appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)—one of the country’s highest civilian honours. An internationally renowned epidemiologist at the University of Queensland, Professor Mishra is known for her groundbreaking work on women’s health and life course epidemiology. As Director of the Australian Women and Girls’ Health Research Centre and president-elect of the World Endometriosis Society, her work has influenced public health policies and elevated Australia’s global standing in medical research. Her AO adds to a small but significant group of Indian-origin scientists who have received similar honours, including Professor Veena Sahajwalla and Dr Marlene Kanga.
Among the honourees is the late Dr Sajeev Koshy, posthumously awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his lifelong service to public dental health and refugee communities. A respected endodontist, Dr Koshy championed equitable healthcare access and mentored many overseas-trained dentists. He had previously received an OAM in 2016 and was knighted by the Order of St John in 2021 for his humanitarian work.
Seven Indian-Australians were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), recognising excellence in music, social advocacy, multicultural development, and education.
Melbourne’s Iyer Brothers—Ramnath and Gopinath—received the OAM for promoting Carnatic music in Australia for over five decades. Since migrating from Chennai, they have trained hundreds of students and helped popularise South Indian classical music through the Pichumani School of Carnatic Music.
Sydney-based Menaka Iyengar Cooke was honoured for her work in women’s empowerment, trauma counselling, and migrant advocacy. A survivor of domestic abuse, Cooke rebuilt her life and now serves as Director of the Indian Crisis and Support Agency. Her memoir Monsoon Woman and podcast Colours of Australia continue to inspire and empower migrant women across the country.
Dr Satish Gupta of Adelaide was recognised for nearly five decades of service to multicultural affairs. As a founding member of the Indian Australian Association of South Australia, he helped transform cultural events like the Indian Mela into large-scale celebrations and worked to promote India-South Australia business ties.
Custodio “Chappie” Lobo of Perth, aged 98, received the OAM for his long-standing commitment to multicultural initiatives and community welfare. A refugee from Uganda, Lobo played key roles in the Goan Overseas Association, the Ethnic Communities Council of WA, and Lions Club projects such as the Purple Bench initiative to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Sydney-based Haran Ramachandran was recognised for his global humanitarian work with Rotary International. After recovering from a serious accident, he dedicated himself to leading projects across India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Australia, focusing on women’s empowerment, education, and medical aid.
Bindi Shah, also from Sydney, was honoured for her educational and philanthropic work through WISEKidsWORLD. Her initiatives have raised over $170,000 to support underprivileged children in India, Uganda, and Australia. Known for her community outreach, Shah continues to promote compassion and learning among children.
Two Indian-origin professionals were awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for their exceptional contributions to Australian government service.
Bina Chandra, an architect with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was honoured for her work designing Australia’s diplomatic buildings overseas. Her architectural leadership has helped create secure, sustainable, and culturally sensitive spaces, including the award-winning Australian Embassy in Bangkok.
Dr Srinivas Bolisetty, a neonatologist at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, was recognised for his national leadership in neonatal care. His clinical work has improved outcomes for premature infants and set treatment benchmarks across Australia and New Zealand. He also played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic and has trained doctors in India and the Pacific.
The 2025 Honours list includes 581 recipients in the Order of Australia (General Division), with community service again emerging as the most recognised area. The youngest recipient this year is 19-year-old Scott Guerini from Perth, while the oldest is 101-year-old Henry Young from South Australia—both underscoring the enduring spirit of service across generations.
Award recipients will be formally presented with their medals at ceremonies hosted by the Governor-General or state governors in the coming months. These honours reflect not only individual achievement but the deep and growing contribution of the Indian-Australian community to the nation’s progress and diversity.
