MCCRAE resident Emeritus Professor Debra Griffiths has been recognised with the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contributions to nursing, midwifery, and medico-legal education. Her career, spanning nearly five decades, reflects a lifelong commitment to improving healthcare standards, supporting frontline staff, and advancing professional education across Australia. “I feel a bit overwhelmed and definitely honoured,” Prof. Griffiths told The News of her award. “Awards are something that you don’t really think about when you’re deep into your everyday work. It makes me stop and reflect on how worthwhile the different paths I’ve taken have really…
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AUNTY Helen Bnads has been named in 2026 Australia Day Honours List. Bnads is the cultural lead at Peninsula Health. She first joined the healthcare organisation in 2013, and was appointed to her current role in 2019. In addition to her work with Peninsula Health, Bnads has spent two decades as a nurse, and has also served as a Koorie Court Elder at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court, and a board member at Willum Warrain Gathering Place. She also helped establish the Interfaith Centre Melbourne. Bnads was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. She said she felt “absolutely humbled” to…
MARGARET McArthur of Mt Eliza has spent more than six decades quietly shaping the Mornington Peninsula with volunteer work through schools, sports clubs, welfare organisations, and community groups. On Australia Day, her years of dedication were formally recognised when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to the community of Mornington Peninsula.” McArthur’s journey of service began shortly after moving to Mornington in 1960. “That was supposed to be temporary, but we liked it so much we didn’t ever move,” she said. Trained as a teacher, she had to resign once she became pregnant.…