Nine Victorians with strong connections to the Uniting Church have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List, released earlier today.
Among them was Rev Emeritus Professor Phillip John Hughes, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
Phillip was honoured for significant service to the sociology of religion, to academia, to social cohesion, and to the community.
Phillip’s lengthy list of achievements included numerous academic and community mentions.
As part of the Uniting Church, he was a member of the East Ringwood Church Council from 2002-2008, a steering committee member of St Stephen’s Community Living Centre from 2005-2015, and a minister since 1987, including at West Hawthorn Uniting Church from 1988-1997.
Phillip also filled the role of Acting Head of College with Pilgrim Theological College in 2025.
His lengthy list of achievements can be found in the honours list (in alphabetical order) here
Also recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division was Ro Allen, for significant service to the community through social reform and human rights advocacy.
Ro was Founder of UnitingCare in Shepparton in 1996, and its Chief Executive Officer from 1996-2010, as well as being the Founder of The Diversity Project within the Uniting Church.
Professor Andrew Mark Stripp was also made a a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to medical administration through executive and governance roles.
Andrew has been Group Chief Executive with Epworth HealthCare since 2023.
Six people with Uniting Church connections were recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division.
Fran Mary Doig was recognised for service to the community through charitable organisations.
Fran has been a Uniting Church member in Wangaratta since 1965, a volunteer at the Uniting Church Opportunity Shop and a volunteer with the church’s Coffee, Craft and Childcare group.
Robert Hugh Glass was recognised for service to the community of Ballarat.
Robert has been a member of the Brown Hill Uniting Church since 1981, Chairman and Church Council member since 2018, and Chair of its COVID Safe Sub-committee from 2020-2023. He was also Treasurer of the Ballarat North Combined Churches Council from 1988-2002.
Anthony Larkin was recognised for service to secondary education, and to school sports.
Anthony was Principal of Uniting Church-affiliated school, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, from 1998-2019, Vice Principal from 1988-1997, Maths teacher from 1978-2019, and the school’s Larkin Centre is named in his honour.
Anne Jillian Oliver was recognised for service to the Ballarat community through a range of roles.
Anne is an Associated Member of Uniting BreezeWay,
Diana Sawyer was recognised for service to the communities of Barwon South West.
Among her achievements were roles with the Manningham Uniting Church and Community Centre, as a former Elder, youth camps leader, youth clubs co-leader, and organiser of the New Mothers Support Group.
Rev Dr Noel Clifford Schultz was recognised for service to the Lutheran and Uniting churches, including his role as pastor of East Kew Uniting Church from 1987-1997.