Mr Selliah Nalliah of Wheelers Hill has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his longstanding service to the Tamil and Hindu communities in Victoria.
Mr Nalliah has held leadership roles across multiple community organisations, including serving as President and Secretary of the Tamil Senior Citizens Fellowship (Victoria) Inc, Vice President and Honorary Secretary of the Hindu Society of Victoria Inc, and Secretary of the Tamil Senior Citizens Saiva Funeral Services Association. He has also contributed to the City of Monash’s Positive Ageing Reference Group and serves as Patron of the Chavakachcheri Hindu College Old Students Association Victoria Inc.
Professionally, Mr Nalliah is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants Australia and a member of the UK’s Institute of Financial Accountants. He worked with the Australian Taxation Office from 1988 to 2012 and has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Bruce Volunteer Recognition Award (2024) and community service awards from Victorian Tamil organisations.
The announcement comes as part of the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, which recognises 949 Australians for their service, achievements, and contributions to society. This year’s list includes 680 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia, along with military, meritorious, and distinguished awards.
The Governor-General, marking his second Australia Day in office, said the honourees “reflect Australia’s values of service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity and care” and praised the increase in awards, noting it highlights the many Australians “who inspire the best in all of us.”
Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at their state or territory Government House in the coming months to receive their awards.
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