Australia has acknowledged the contributions of 830 citizens in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List — a record 30 per cent increase from the Australia Day awards. Among them are several inspiring Indian-origin Australians recognised for their achievements across medicine, music, multiculturalism, diplomacy, and community service.
Prof. Gita Devi Mishra has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to life course epidemiology and women’s health, and for her leadership in tertiary education. Based at the University of Queensland, Prof. Mishra has led national and international research programs including the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health and holds key roles in global organisations such as the World Endometriosis Society, the European Menopause and Andropause Society, and the American Society for Epidemiologic Research.
The late Dr Sajeev Koshy OAM has been posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to dentistry through leadership and governance. A public dental health pioneer, Dr Koshy held senior clinical roles at Dental Health Services Victoria and the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. He played a key role in digital transformation and education reform in public dental services, and his earlier recognition includes the NRI of the Year Award (2018) and a knighthood in the Order of St John.
Gopinath and Ramnath Iyer, known as the Iyer Brothers, have received the OAM for their outstanding contribution to Carnatic music over more than five decades. Their performances, teaching, and cultural advocacy have helped bring the beauty of South Indian classical music to audiences across Australia and the world. They co-founded the Melbourne Veena Festival and the Pichumani School of Carnatic Music and are celebrated for their efforts to preserve and promote the Veena tradition while mentoring generations of musicians.
Dr Satish Gupta, a respected urban planner, author, and community leader based in South Australia, has been recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his decades of civic and multicultural service. He has held leadership roles in Rotary International, the Indian Australian Association of South Australia, and the Australia-India Policy Institute. As a planner, Dr Gupta has contributed to significant projects in Australia and overseas and is a four-time Paul Harris Fellow.
New South Wales-based Menaka Iyengar has been honoured with the OAM for her passionate service to women’s advocacy, disability inclusion, and migrant support. A director of the Indian Crisis and Support Agency, Iyengar has contributed to national organisations like the Women’s Electoral Lobby and Older Women’s Network NSW. Her memoir Monsoon Woman, published under the pseudonym Laxmi Lall, recounts her journey as a migrant single parent who overcame systemic barriers to rise to senior management roles in corporate Australia.
Community advocate Bindi Shah of Cheltenham, NSW, has received an OAM for her enduring grassroots work in education, fundraising, and civic service. From running charity garage sales to co-founding WISEKidsWORLD, Shah’s initiatives have supported children’s education around the world. She volunteers as a Justice of the Peace and is an active member of India Club Inc. and the Beecroft Rotary Club. Her past accolades include the NSW Community Services Award and the Senior Champion of the Year award.
At 98, Custodio “Chappie” Lobo has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for a lifetime of selfless community service in Perth. Born into a Goan family in Uganda, Lobo’s path to Australia began with academic pursuits in India and a career with the Uganda Electricity Board. Forced to flee during Idi Amin’s 1972 expulsion of British passport holders, he migrated to Australia and rebuilt his life — becoming Curtin University’s inaugural Acting Academic Registrar and a tireless community volunteer. From leading cultural associations to decades of service with the Lions Club, Lobo’s legacy is defined by resilience, generosity, and a deep commitment to inclusion and public good.
Dr Srinivas Bolisetty, a senior neonatologist at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for his pioneering work in neonatal care. He has developed standardised parenteral nutrition and medication guidelines that have been adopted in multiple countries. As founder of the Australasian Neonatal Medicines Formulary, he has helped transform clinical protocols for preterm and critically ill newborns. Dr Bolisetty described the honour as a tribute to his entire team’s dedication to newborn care.
Bina Chandra, a senior executive in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been honoured with the PSM for her leadership in managing Australia’s overseas diplomatic infrastructure. She oversees housing and security for more than 2,500 public servants posted abroad, with major projects completed in Kabul, Yangon, Port Moresby, and Paris. Known for her ethical leadership and mentoring, Chandra’s work ensures Australia’s global diplomatic presence is resilient, safe, and sustainable.
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, Australians are doing extraordinary things… I look forward to meeting many of you at your investiture.”
Honourees will receive their medals at formal investiture ceremonies held at Government Houses across Australia in the coming months. The achievements of these Indian-origin awardees not only reflect individual excellence but also highlight the profound impact of Indian-Australian communities on national life. Their recognition in this year’s honours list is a proud moment for multicultural Australia.
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