The 2018 Australia Day honours list featured a number of people with ties to the Australian Jesuit Province. Congratulations to all of those who were honoured, and thanks for your generous contributions to our Province and those we serve.
Mr Paul Robertson, a member of the Province Finance and Building Committee for the past 13 years, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his contribution to the community through ethical leadership and management of, and philanthropic contributions to, health, social enterprise, research, education and arts organisations. Mr Robertson was Chair of the St Ignatius’ College Riverview Council from 2000 to 2013. He is currently chair of both St Vincent’s Health and Social Ventures Australia.
Mrs Maya Cranitch was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education, to teaching English as a second language through educational programs for refugees, and to social justice. A long-time teacher educator, Mrs Cranitch has been involved with Jesuit Refugee Service’s projects for refugees on the Thai-Burma border. She was also a member of the JRS board in 2010-11.
Dr Robin Glyn Jones was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to the community through support of refugees, and as a contributor to social welfare organisations and to education. Dr Jones was a volunteer with Jesuit Refugee Service, serving on a range of international assistance programs. She worked in South Sudan from 2006-07 and in Mae Hong Song on the Thai-Burmese border in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Mrs Vicki Clark was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the Indigenous community of Victoria. Mrs Clark was coordinator for Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in Victoria, and has also been a member of the Australian Jesuit Province’s Indigenous Advisory Group and a friend and supporter of many Jesuits working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Mrs Marlene Jones was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to music education and to the community. Mrs Jones was Head of Music at St Ignatius’ College Riverview’s Junior School from 1983 to 1993.
Sister Sheelah Frances Mogan was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the Catholic Church in Australia and to the community. The Brigidine sister has a long history of work in Catholic education. For the last 15 years she has been the organiser of the Wednesday Lunch for the Homeless at Canice’s Kitchen, at St Canice’s Parish in Sydney.
Mr David Scott Thomson was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to education in Victoria, and to the community. He was a teacher at Xavier College in Melbourne from 1975 to 1979, and is a Life Member (Honorary) of the Old Xaverians’ Association.