The Australia Day awards list has showcased the enormous contribution of many individuals in the community housing sector. CHIA congratulates the eleven awardees for their valuable contributions to community housing and thanks them for their service.

Peter Allen from Balwyn, VIC is currently on the board of Servants Housing, and was awarded an Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community through a range of organisations.

Graeme Brady, was a board member of Rockhampton and Environs Affordable Community Housing Ltd from 2008 to 2016. From Frenchville, QLD, Mr Brady was awarded an OAM for his service to the community of Rockhampton.

Raymond Brown from Dalby, QLD was the inaugural chair of Western Downs Housing Trust in 2012. His OAM was awarded to him for his service to local government, and to the community.

Ross Cooke from Malvern East, VIC received an OAM for his contribution to community health. He was a board member for Wintringham (and Wintringham Housing) from 1998 to 2015, and was the president of Wintringham in 2006.

Jim Couper from Mt Rankin, NSW is one of Bathurst’s recipients of the OAM. Mr Couper served as the chair of Housing Plus Ltd from 2009 to 2018, and was previously the president and chair of the Central Tablelands Housing Association in Orange from 2009 to 2011. He says he is “thrilled and humbled to be receiving an OAM.”

Elizabeth Hopwood from Orange, NSW is a former board member for Housing Plus Ltd and is currently a chairperson and volunteer coordinator for Food Care Orange. She received an OAM for her service to the community through social welfare organisations.

John Kenny from Forestville, SA has served as the chairman of the Frederic Ozanam Housing Association since 2012. His OAM was awarded for his service to the community.

Diane Kerr from Moorabbin, VIC is the former director of the Narragol Housing Co-Operative. She received the award for her service to the Indigenous community of Victoria.

Terrence Luthy from Birkdale, QLD was a board member of Wynumm Manly Housing Co-Operative from 2005 to 2007. He was awarded an OAM for his service to the community.

William Risk from South Port, NT is the director of the Indigenous Housing Association. The OAM was awarded to him for his service to the Indigenous Community in the Northern Territory.

John Stone, the chair of North Coast Community Housing from 2005 to 2017, was awarded an OAM for his service to the community of Grafton, NSW.

We congratulate all the awardees for their tremendous service in helping the community. CHIA encourages people to think about who to nominate for their respective organisations. Nominations can be made here. A full honours list of awardees can be downloaded here.