Melbourne-based emergency services volunteer and public safety worker Mohammed Shabbir Alam has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List for service to the community through emergency response organisations.
The announcement forms part of the annual King’s Birthday Honours, which recognises 948 Australians across the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and conspicuous service awards.
“As Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, I am delighted to announce and congratulate the remarkable Australians receiving honours in The 2026 King’s Birthday list,” said Sam Mostyn.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia. In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia.”
Alam has been recognised for sustained service across multiple emergency response and public safety organisations over more than two decades, including roles in frontline response, training, coordination and community support.
He began volunteering with the Australian Red Cross in Victoria in the mid-2000s, serving in emergency response and support roles during disaster events, including bushfires and flood emergencies. His work included deployment support, operational assistance and coordination roles across different emergency service functions.
He later served with the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES), where he held operational and supervisory volunteer positions, including responsibilities linked to incident response and coordination during emergency events. He also received a long service medal during his tenure with the organisation.
Alam has also been a long-term volunteer with St John Ambulance Victoria, where he has held a range of leadership and operational roles, including first responder duties, divisional operations responsibilities and regional coordination work. He has been recognised with a long service medal for his contribution.
In addition to his volunteer emergency work, Alam has served as a Protective Services Officer and transit supervisor with Victoria Police since 2013. He has also contributed to internal mentoring and multicultural engagement initiatives, including participation in employee support and community liaison networks.
His service extends to the Australian Army Reserve, where he has worked as a military instructor and held roles within training and military policing units, contributing to instruction and operational development within defence education programs.
Across his career, Alam has been involved in emergency response during major natural disasters, including bushfires and floods, and has also served as an Australia Day Ambassador and community mentor.
His work has been recognised previously through multiple awards, including the National Emergency Medal, National Police Service Medal, and various service and multicultural leadership awards.
The King’s Birthday Honours List this year includes 702 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 34 military awards, 149 meritorious awards and 63 conspicuous service awards.
The Governor-General said the honours system continues to reflect the diversity of service across Australia.
“Just like those honoured across the past 50 years, their service and achievement in the community and public service, industry and academia, science, the arts and sport help shape our nation.”
Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at Government House in their respective states and territories in the coming months to formally receive their insignia.
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