The nursing profession has been exceptionally well represented in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List, with several distinguished practitioners recognised for their outstanding contributions to healthcare, research, and professional development across Australia.
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Professor Kate Curtis of NSW has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to trauma and emergency nursing, critical care research, tertiary education, and professional organisations. Professor Curtis, who holds the position of Professor of Trauma and Emergency Nursing at Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, has been described as the “world’s most published author in the field of trauma and emergency nursing.” Her extensive career spans clinical practice at Wollongong Hospital’s Emergency Department and St George Hospital’s Trauma unit, alongside her current academic role. Professor Curtis is a Fellow and Life Member of the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia and was named Nurse of the Year at the 2019 Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Ms Catherine Louise Johnson has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to oncology nursing and research. With nearly three decades of experience as a Clinical Research Nurse at Calvary Mater Newcastle specialising in Medical Oncology, Ms Johnson has demonstrated exceptional leadership in nursing organisations. She currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care and was instrumental in founding the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia. Since 2010, she has served as Gastrointestinal Cancer Care Nurse Coordinator for Hunter New England Local Health District.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Dr Toni Gabrielle Hains FACN from Queensland, has been recognised for her pioneering work as a Perioperative Nurse Practitioner and Surgical Assistant at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital. Dr Hains, a Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing, co-founded the Australian Association of Nurse Surgical Assistants and has the “Toni Hains Research Award” named in her honour.
Ms Jennifer Ruth Messell has been honoured for her extensive service, including roles as Director of Nursing and current Service Manager at Juninga Centre. Her contributions were previously recognised when she won Nurse/Midwife of the Year at the 2019 Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.
Captain David Andrew West from South Austraia has been recognised for service to mental health nursing. He is the Director of Mental Health Services at the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network.
Ms Anne Therese Shipp from Victoria has been acknowledged for her remarkable 50-year career at The Royal Children’s Hospital, where she served as Heart Transplant Clinical Nurse Consultant for the National Paediatric Cardiac Transplant Service until 2024.
Ms Heather Grace Pickard has been recognised for her leadership in nursing and midwifery as Chief Executive Officer of Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia, alongside extensive board memberships in healthcare organisations.
Mrs Valma Noel Pink from Victoria, has been honoured for her pioneering contribution to emergency nursing, having established Australia’s first triage system at Box Hill Hospital in 1975.
Ms Jennifer Olivia Hunt from Victoria has been a registered nurse who has been recognized for her services to animal welfare through the establishment of Pet Medical Crisis
Mrs Mary Catherine O’Brien is a former nurse and midwife who has been recognised for services to the community of the Ballina region.
Mrs Elizabeth Anne Ravalli of Victoria is a former aged care enrolled nurse who has been recognised for service to the community of Melbourne.
Mr Daryl Raymond Wilson of NSW has been recognised for service to emergency organisations, and to the community of Lithgow, and has been a registered nurse at Lithgow District Hospital.
These honours reflect the exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership demonstrated by Australian nurses across clinical practice, research, education, and professional development. The recognition of these distinguished practitioners highlights the vital role nurses play in advancing healthcare outcomes and professional standards across the nation.
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