By Amit Sarwal and Pallavi Jain
From neighbourhood garage sales to international service projects, three inspiring Indian-Australian leaders — Dr Satish Gupta, Menaka Iyengar, and Bindi Shah — have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their outstanding contributions to community, public service, and cross-cultural engagement.
Dr Satish Gupta, a respected urban planner, author, and community leader based in Hallett Cove, South Australia, has been honoured with an OAM for his service to the community of South Australia across more than four decades.
A veteran of Rotary International, Dr Gupta has served as President of multiple South Australian Rotary Clubs and held key district leadership roles promoting international peace fellowships and scholarships. His leadership in multicultural affairs includes serving as President of the Indian Australian Association of South Australia and Director-General of the Australia-India Policy Institute.
An early leader in South Australia’s town planning sector, Dr Gupta has contributed to both government and private sectors—including a stint with the Hong Kong Government’s New Town Development Program—before founding his own consultancy, Gupta Environment and Planning Consultants.
Dr Gupta is also a published author, known for works such as Australia We Didn’t See (2023) and The Moguls of India (2018). Recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow on four occasions, his OAM celebrates a lifetime dedicated to civic leadership, multicultural dialogue, and public service.
New South Wales-based advocate Menaka Iyengar has been awarded the OAM for her passionate service to women and community empowerment. A tireless advocate for gender equality, disability inclusion, and migrant support, Iyengar serves as Director and Secretary of the Indian Crisis and Support Agency, supporting vulnerable South Asian women.
Iyengar told The Australia Today,
“Surprised but deeply honoured. Nothing will keep me from continuing on my journey of service.”
She has held leadership roles in major national advocacy groups including the Women’s Electoral Lobby, Older Women’s Network NSW, and Economic Security for Women. Her work has earned her accolades such as the Prof. Shirley Randell AO Social Contribution Award and the World of Difference Award from The International Alliance for Women.
An author, podcaster, and community radio voice on multicultural issues, she also brings extensive professional experience in HR and psychotherapy. Her memoir Monsoon Woman (2019) details her advocacy journey and commitment to women’s voices in public life.
Iyengar told The Australia Today that her memoir, written under the pseudonym Laxmi Lall, chronicles her journey as a migrant single parent who educated herself and rose through the ranks of corporate Australia, overcoming sexism, racism, and ageism during the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s to reach senior management.
Cheltenham-based community advocate Bindi Shah has received an OAM for her long-standing dedication to grassroots fundraising, children’s education, and local civic service.
Starting with annual garage sales that raised funds for international charities, Shah later co-founded WISEKidsWORLD, a charity supporting global educational access. She also serves as a volunteer Justice of the Peace and is actively involved with India Club Inc. and the Beecroft Rotary Club, where she is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Shah’s accolades include the NSW Community Services Award and Senior Champion of the Year at the Innate Power of Women Forum, reflecting her decades of quiet leadership and hands-on service.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC, in announcing this year’s list, praised the honourees for their “passion, generosity, energy and resolve”, and noted the growing recognition of public service excellence across the country. “These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country,” she said.
““Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy, and resolve. … I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.”
In the coming months, honourees will be presented with their awards at investiture ceremonies held at Government House in their respective states and territories.
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