By Amit Sarwal and Pallavi Jain
Australia has celebrated the contributions of 830 outstanding individuals in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List — a near 30 per cent increase in awardees compared to the Australia Day honours earlier this year.
Among this year’s standout honourees is Prof. Gita Devi Mishra, appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to medical research in life course epidemiology and women’s health, as well as her leadership in tertiary education.
Prof. Mishra told The Australia Today the recognition highlights the collective effort behind her achievements.
“The recognition underlines the importance of not just my work, but of the diverse team at the Australian Women and Girl’s Health Research Centre and the contribution of community representatives that we partner with.”
Based at the University of Queensland, Prof. Mishra has led major national and international research programs, including the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, and authored over 500 publications. She holds leadership roles in prestigious bodies such as the World Endometriosis Society (President Elect), the European Menopause and Andropause Society, and the American Society for Epidemiologic Research.
Prof. Mishra also heads the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Women and Non-Communicable Diseases, making significant contributions to women’s health policy and research worldwide.
The Honours List also posthumously recognises Dr Sajeev Koshy OAM of Victoria with an appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for his significant service to dentistry through leadership and governance roles.
Dr Koshy, who migrated to Australia from Trivandrum, Kerala, and passed away in 2023, was a pioneer in public dental health and a passionate advocate for accessible and equitable care.
Throughout his career, Dr Koshy served in senior clinical and advisory positions, including as Head of the Oral Rehabilitation Specialist Unit at Dental Health Services Victoria, and Deputy Head at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. He was also instrumental in the digital transformation of public dental services and accreditation of dental education programs.
In addition to being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2016, Dr Koshy was recognised globally as Non-Resident Indian of the Year (2018) and was appointed a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 2021.
Announced today by Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC, the list features a wide cross-section of Australians recognised for their service across the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious service, and distinguished and conspicuous service.
Governor-General Mostyn, 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.”
Honourees will receive their medals at formal investiture ceremonies held at Government Houses across Australia in the coming months.
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