Niharika Hiremath OAM
The advocate mental health advocate from Melbourne has received recognition for her contributions to community health.
As part of this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, mental health and lived experience advocate Niharika Hiremath has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to community health.
She is the youngest recipient of this year’s honours at 29 years old.
Hiremath is presently the co-founder and managing director of the Australian Institute for Diversity in Mental Health in addition to serving as a National Board Youth Advisor and chair of the Multicultural Strategy Advisory Group for headspace, the nation’s premier youth mental health charity.
Hiremath, a native of Karnataka, grew up near her grand uncle’s medical practice and developed a passion for helping others there.
For service to community health.
Headspace
- Board Member, National Youth Advisor, since 2021. • Coordinator, Refugee and Migrant Background Young People Project, since 2020. • Coordinator, Alumni Participant, 2020-2021. • Member, the Australian Youth Advocates for Mental Health, current. • Support Worker, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth, 2019-2020. • Member, Youth National Reference Group, 2017-2019.
Mental Health Support – Other
- Mental Health Commissioner, Independent Advisory Board, National Mental Health Commission, 2019-2022. • Co-Chair, Solis Culture and Mental Health, since 2020. • Convenor, Culture and Mental Health Interactive Toolkit. • Former Member, Refugee and Migrant Mental Health Partnership, The Social Policy Group. • Former Mentor, Recovery and Community Health’s Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy, Yale University.
South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network
- Project Lead, Service System Design and Reform, since 2023. • Clinician, 2021-2023
Sakshi Thakur OAM
The founder of social enterprise ‘Sewing the Seeds’ and advocate for women’s economic empowerment
According to businesswoman Sakshi Thakur, empowering women is the key to ending poverty.
Thakur is the creator of “Sewing the Seeds,” a Pondicherry-based social company that teaches women about textiles in an effort to break down social and financial barriers to secure work. They currently have eight full-time employees and intend to grow to other cities.
Thakur is deeply committed to standing on the shoulders of her female ancestors, having migrated between Kuwait, Oman, Sydney, and Melbourne as the daughter of Sindhi immigrants.
Ms Sakshi Sanjaya Thakur, Chadstone VIC 3148 For service to the community through social welfare organisations.
Social Enterprise
- Metropolitan Manager, Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC), since 2022. • Founder, Sewing the Seeds (formerly known as Humanism Global), since 2018. • Lead and Entrepreneur in residence, Melbourne Chapter, Catalysr, since 2021.
Multicultural
- Board Member, IndianCare, 2021-2023. • Volunteer, Tatkaar Kathak Dance Institute Australia, since 2021. • Volunteer, Prem Sadan Children’s Home, India, 2015. Other • Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, Skip Labs, 2017-2018. • Youth Committee Member, Art of Living Foundation, since 2012.
City of Monash
- Member, Gender Equity Advisory Committee, 2016-2018. • Chair, Monash Young Persons Reference Group, 2015-2016, and Member, 2012-2016. • Member, Monash Empowering Women Committee, 2014-2015. • Member, Headspace4monash Committee, 2015. Awards and Recognition • Sir John Monash Award for Outstanding Excellence, 2018. • Inspirational Women’s Leadership Award, City of Monash, 2018. • Outstanding Leadership Award, City of Monash, 2018. • Young Social Pioneer, Foundation of Young Australians, 2018. • The Bridge Create Change Award, Seven News Young Achiever awards semi-finalist, 2019. • Australian Institute of Company Directors Governance Foundations for NFP Directors Scholarship recipient, 2023. • Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Committee, 2023
Harinder Kaur OAM
Harinder Kaur has been recognised for her service to the community through social welfare organisations
Over the past thirty years, Kaur, the founder and CEO of the Harman Foundation, has been a prominent and engaged part of the Indian diaspora in the state. Since 2013, she has devoted her life to serving the vulnerable members of the community. Her efforts have included providing food hampers to those in need, educating those who commit domestic abuse, and holding seminars to raise awareness of physical and mental health issues.
Working as an education officer for the state’s Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), Harinder Kaur OAM had constant interaction with problems related to relationships, children’s concerns, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic abuse. However, it was the untimely passing of her oldest son Harmanpreet Singh in a vehicle accident in 2012 that inspired her to discover her true spiritual calling: community service.
For service to the community through social welfare organisations.
Community
• Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Harman Foundation, since 2013. • Executive Member, Glenwood Community Hub, since 2016. • Executive Member, Inter Faith Women Group, since 2021. • Executive Member, Teeyan Society, current. • Former Executive Member and Treasurer, Outer West Domestic Violence Network (WASH House).
Department of Communities and Justice
- Senior Correctional Education Officer/Education Services Coordinator, since 2005. • Deputy Chair, Executive Women in Communities and Justice Network, since 2015. • Correctional Education Officer, 1993-1995. • Peer Support Officer, since 2016. • Volunteer, Sikh Chaplaincy Services, current.
Awards and Recognition include:
- Woman of the Year, Blacktown City Council, 2021. • Riverstone Local Woman of the Year, 2019. • Hindu Council of Australia Award, 2019. • Dedication and Extraordinary Work Award, Indian Women Cultural Association of Australia Inc, 2018. • Corporate Excellence Award, Corrective Services NSW, 2009. • Humanity Excellence Award, Corrective Services NSW, 2009.
Ms Nalika Priyadharshi Padmasena
For service to the multicultural community of New South Wales.
Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales
- President, 2019-2021. • Vice-President, 2019. • President, Sri Lanka Association Women’s Network, since 2021. • Language Teacher, North Parramatta Sinhala School, 2006-2020.
Community
- Director, Positive Vibes Foundation, 2018-2022. • Member, Sydney West Regional Advisory Council, Multicultural NSW, since 2016. • Member, Multicultural Communities Consultation Council, Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, 2014- 2019. • Chairperson, Auburn Community Development Network, 2015-2016. • Chairperson, Boronia Multicultural Services Inc, Toongabbie, 2014-2016. • Management Committee Member, Immigrant Women’s Speak-out Association of NSW, 2003-2007. • Committee Member, Save a Dream Project, current. • Member, South West Sydney Elder Abuse Collaborative, current. • Board Member, North West Community Services, Riverstone, current. • Member, Blacktown Community Leaders Forum, current.
India Club Inc
- Member, since 2010. • Past Member and Advisor, Next Step Team.
Blacktown City Council
- Member, Blacktown Elder Abuse Prevention Collaborative, current. • Member, Multicultural Advisory Committee, since c2017. • Member, Senior Citizens’ Advisory Committee, since c2017. • Member, Sister Cities Committee, since 2020.
Toongabbie Legal Centre
- Management Committee Member, since 2005. • Treasurer, nine Years. • Volunteer Coordinator, 2007-2012.
NSW Chapter, Community Legal Centres Association of Australia
- Co-Convenor, Community Legal Education Workers (CLEW) Network, since 2013. • Current Convenor, Continuing Legal Education Workers Network.
Law – Other
- Anti-Violence Project Officer, Cumberland Women’s Health Centre, c1999-2008. • Acting Court Support Coordinator, The Macquarie Legal Centre, 2006. • Parramatta Court Support Worker, 1997-2006. • Editor, Retirement Villages Chapter, NSW Solicitors Manual. • Author, Retirement Villages Chapter, LexisNexis Legal Resource. • Mentor, Law Society of NSW, since 2013, and Member, since 2008.
Seniors Rights Service Inc
- Acting Principal Solicitor, 2016-2017. • Solicitor, since 2008. • Steering Committee Member, 5th National Elder Abuse Conference, 2018.
Awards and Recognition include:
- Salvation Army Social Advocacy Award, (Highly Commended), 2022. • Star Award, India Club Inc, 2016. • ZEST Award, Exceptional Regional Partnership Project, Seniors Rights Service, 2016. • Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award, NSW Premier’s Multicultural Award, 2015. • Premier’s Violence Against Women Award, Anti-Violence Project, Cumberland Women’s Health, 2006 & 2007
Associate Professor Sabaratnam Prathapan
For service to tertiary education, and to the community.
Charles Darwin University (formerly Northern Territory University)
- Associate Professor of Engineering, since 2005. • Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Vocational Education and Training), Northern Territory University, 1995- 1996.
Darwin Institute of Technology
- Head of Division, Construction, Darwin Institute of Technology, 1986-1989. • Head, Department of Civil Engineering/Surveying, Darwin Institute of Technology, 1980-1984, 1985- 1986.
Institute of TAFE
- Deputy Director, 1989-1994. • Chair, Professional Experience Program Committee, 1989. • Chair, Promotions Committee, 1989. • Former Chair, Board of Studies. • Former Deputy Chair and Member, Executive Committee. • Former Member, Staff Development Committee. • Former Member, Courses Committee.
Darwin Community College
- Lecturer in Civil Engineering, 1978-1980. • Council Member, 1982.
Education – Other
- Former Vice-President, Union of Australian College Academics. • Lecturer, Singapore Polytechnic, 1975-1978.
Professional – Other
- Senior Project Officer, Office of Multicultural Affairs Northern Territory, 2004-2005. • Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, 1996-1999. • Manager, Construction Industry Policy, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Darwin NT, 1999-2004. • Judge, Engineering Excellence National Award – Sir William Hudson Award, 1990. • Engineer, Bridge Section, Kent County Council, UK, 1974-1975. • Former Committee member, NT CPA. • Former Board Member, NT Power and Water Authority.
Northern Territory Division, Institution of Engineers
- Chair, 1989-1990. • Former Committee Member. • Former Chair, Education Committee.
Hindu Society of Northern Territory
- President, 25 years. • Vice-President, current. • Foundation Secretary, since 1987.
Community
- Community Member, NT Judicial Commission, since 2021. • President/Treasurer/Committee Member, Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory, 6 years. • Former President, Sri Lanka Australia Friendship Association.
Rotary International
- Member, Rotary Club of Darwin, current. • Rotary District Governor 9560, Northern Australia and Timor Leste, 2023-2024. • Paul Harris Fellow. Fellowships • Engineers Australia. • Certified Practicing Accountants.
Awards and Recognition include:
• Alumnus Award for Community Service, Charles Darwin University, 2021. • Honorary Doctor of Letters, Charles Darwin University. • Multicultural award for individual excellence, 2019. • Maruthi Award, Sydney Branch, Kamban Kazhagam Australia, 2019. • Northern Territory Professional Engineer of the Year, 1996. • AUSTAFE Award for Leadership in Engineering
