Two Lane Cove Council Area Residents Recognised in 2025 Australia Day Honours List

By
Jacky Barker
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Two Lane Cove residents have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list.

The Governor-General today announced Honours and Awards for 732 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

“Congratulations to all of the 2025 Australia Day honours recipients. Thank you for your work of care and service to our nation.

“To read recipient stories is to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matter most to all Australians, in every sphere of life. Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them.

“This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system. We have a wonderful opportunity over the next 50 years of our honours and awards to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society.

“To all Australians, nominating and honouring our fellow Australians is a meaningful way of saying, as a nation, thank you.

“To all the remarkable 2025 Australia Day honours recipients today we celebrate you.”

In addition to the 457 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (6 AC, 23 AO, 108 AM and 320 OAM), today’s Honours list includes:

  • 25 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (1 AO, 11 AM and 13 OAM)
  • 196 Meritorious awards
  • 3 Distinguished and 51 Conspicuous awards

Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at the Government House in their respective state or territory in coming months to receive the insignia of their award.

This list also includes 24 Australians recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals will also be included in an ongoing and permanent COVID-19 Honour roll.

 

Below is a list of recipients in the Lane Cove Council Area.

Member AM in the General Divison

Ms Penelope Margaret Gerstle, Northwood NSW 2066 for significant service to human rights, community health, and to people with disability.

Ms. Gerstle told ITC the following:

“It is such a pleasure and an honour to be recognised in the 2025 Australia Day awards.  The work I do requires time away from home on a regular basis, including time spent overseas.

As fulltime carers and companions of my mum Una, who will turn 102 in a couple of weeks, time away would not be possible without the support and love of my extraordinary husband Gary. I owe him one thousand thank yous and more.

I am particularly proud that my award was, I’m told, supported by members of the Afghan community in NSW.

The plight of the world’s asylum seekers and refugees has long weighed on me as I try to imagine walking in the shoes of those forced to flee their homes, communities and countries to escape persecution.

Bringing scores of people, particularly vulnerable women and children to safety during the resurgence of the Taliban regime is a source of immense joy to me. So too is the work of organisations like Palmera Projects and the Aminata Maternal Foundation, who work with the most vulnerable women and families in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone, to build access to economic markets, or to safe births, while providing opportunities and tools to thrive.

My parents instilled in me a sense of justice and fairness, and the values of dignity and equality inherent in the canon of human rights laws are compelling.   I’m continually impressed by the work of Human Rights Watch.

Their meticulous and rigorous investigations relentlessly shine the spot light on so many of the world’s most devastating rights abuses.  Likewise the Justice and Equity Centre works tirelessly to ensure the people of NSW are treated fairly by the laws and policies that affect them.   What an honour to walk beside these organisations together with a wonderful team of fellow Australian supporters.

And what I learn from Australians with disability constantly surprises and delights me.  If ever there was a group of people that are underestimated, it is people with disability.  Yet with the right investment and encouragement, like people everywhere, people with disability thrive.  I would encourage everyone to get to know more about disability.

I hope to use my Order of Australia to continue to encourage Australians to invest in building a fairer and more just world, globally and locally, in the hope that everyone has the opportunity to build a life that has meaning to them.

Penny and Aminata Conteh-Biger talking to Dr Kamara of the Princess Christian National Maternity Hospital in Freetown Sierra Leone,

Human Rights Watch Australia

  • Co-Chair, Australia Committee, since 2017.
  • Former Deputy Chair, Australia Committee.
  • Chair, Sydney Committee, since 2017.
  • Member, Sydney Committee, since 2014.

Justice and Equity Centre (formerly Public Interest Advocacy Centre)

  • Director, since 2020.
  • Chair, Community Engagement Committee, since 2022.
  • Volunteer, since 2016.

Disability Sector

  • Director, Participate Australia (formerly Family Resource and Network Support), 2015-2023.
  • Policy Officer, Disability Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, 2014-2017.

Refugee and Human Rights Sector

  • Volunteer, House of Welcome, 5 years.
  • Volunteer, Refugee Advice and Casework Service, 5 years.

Mahboba’s Promise

  • Executive Officer, 2022-2023.
  • Volunteer, since 2021.

Maternal and Child Health

  • Chair, Aminata Maternal Foundation, 2015-2021.
  • Founding Volunteer, Women’s Projects Steering Committee, Australia for UNHCR, 2005-2015.

Philanthropy

  • Co-Founder, The Hand Up Foundation, since 2007.
  • Supporter, Social Ventures Australia.

Supporter, The House of Welcome

 

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Mr James Francis Rodgers, Lane Cove for ervice to primary and secondary education, and to cricket.

Mr Rodgers retired from St Ignatius College Riverview in 2021 and the following was posted on the college’s Instagram page:

“After almost half a century at Riverview, beloved teacher Mr James Rodgers taught his final lesson this morning in the Therry Building. Mr Rodger, who attended Riverview as a student, started his distinguished teaching career here in 1978 and has been integral figure of the Riverview community ever since.

“I’ve wanted to come to this school every day of my life.” said Mr Rodgers in his final class. “If you ever find a vocation like that, go after it.”

A guard of honour made of appreciative staff and students flowed from Therry to Dalton Chapel, as Fr Tom accompanied Mr Rodgers out of his final class.

Mr Rodgers has a deep affiliation and connection to our Old Boys Association (OIU) and has self-published two books during his time here; ‘Dare To Do So Much’ and ‘Give And Not To Count The Cost.’ He was also one of the Colleges’ first lay-division boarding master in 1982.

Mr Rodgers will continue coaching cricket in the new year, as well as being involved in various special projects – so this isn’t goodbye just yet!”

Source: https://www.instagram.com/sicriverview/

Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview 

  • Former Deputy Principal, 12 years.
  • Teacher, History, English and Ancient Languages, 1978-2021.
  • Former Boarding Master.
  • Former First XI Cricket Coach.
  • Principal Fundraiser and Organiser, Redfern Jarjum College T20 Charity Cricket Match, 2015-2019.

Sydney University Cricket Club (SUCC)

  • Patron, since 2020.
  • Member, since 1972.
  • Chairman, 1997-1998 and 2013-2015.
  • Chairman, SUCC Foundation, 2004-2007.
  • Honorary Secretary, 1980-1984.
  • Life Member, since 1996.
  • Coach, since 2010.
  • Club Historian, current.

Sydney Cricket Association

  • Sydney University Cricket Club Delegate, 1985-1993.
  • Life Member, since 2004.
  • Former Deputy Chair.

Author

  • Golden Blues, St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, 2015.
  • Dare to Do So Much, St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, 2012.
  • Give and Not to Count the Cost, St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, 2009.

Awards and Recognition include:

Australian Sports Medal, 2000.

 

How Do You Nominate Someone For An Order of Australia?

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at gg.gov.au.

The Order of Australia also has a Military Division. Awards in the Military Division are recommended to the Governor-General by the Minister for Defence.

There are four levels of award:

  • AC: Companion of the Order of Australia, for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large
  • AO: Officer of the Order of Australia, for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large
  • AM: Member of the Order of Australia, for service in a particular locality or field of activity, or to a particular group
  • OAM: Medal of the Order of Australia, for service worthy of particular recognition