Key Points
- The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service.
- From service to migrants, women, community, education, social justice, sports and charity, at least eight Filipino Australians have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia over the past few decades.
- The late NSW lawyer Lolita Farmer was the first Filipino to be inducted in the Australia Honours being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1981. Educator and author Reynaldo Juanta received the OAM in 1991.
- In NSW, Deborah Ruiz-Wall (2004), Manny Castillo (2009) and Jose Relunia (2020) were also awarded the OAM; Canberran social worker Maria Lourdes 'Noonee' Doronilla received it in 2015; Tasmanian Rachel Bessant in 2019, and South Australian Carmen Garcia was awarded OAM in 2024.
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What is the Order of Australia, and who are the Filipino migrants recognised in the honours list?
SBS Filipino
27/01/202533:46
Established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens for outstanding achievement and service to the community.
The Order of Australia has four award levels - Companion of the Order (AC), Officer of the Order (AO), Member of the Order (AM) and the Medal of the Order (OAM).
In the past decades, several Filipino leaders have been among the recipients of the awards including AM and OAM.
John Rivas AM (2016)
Long-serving Philippine Honorary Consul-General in Northern Territory, Januario "John" Rivas is the first and only Filipino to be inducted as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The award was made in 2016 in recognition of his contributions to helping Filipino migrants and promoting bilateral ties between the Northern Territory, Australia and the Philippines in sports, education, trade, and business.
Mr. Rivas aspires to be an inspiration to fellow Filipino-Australians in serving the community and making a difference in society.
Philippine Honorary Consul-General in Northern Territory, John Rivas AM.
Lolita Farmer OAM (1981)
In 1981, Lolita Farmer received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the migrant community, particularly her work on women's issues, childcare, and radio journalism.
The OAM is not mine alone, it belongs to the community.The late Atty Lolita Farmer
The late lawyer from New South Wales acknowledged Australia's diversity, especially since many Australians come from different cultures and languages.
"Our diverse insights enrich the projects and the meaning of what we do," Mrs Farmer said in an interview with SBS Filipino.
Mrs Farmer was grateful for the support of the Filipino community in the advocacy efforts she has initiated and the projects she has led.
"I am very thankful to all who have travelled with me all along the way - to those who have helped and even those who didn’t. At least we can say, from within the Filipino community some got to be recognised.
"The Filipino community is one that I would say is very united in a common purpose - that is to benefit the welfare not only of Filipinos but the whole society of Australia."
She reiterated that Filipinos can be proud of their contributions to Australian society.
The community leader also played a major role in advocating for the Filipino program to be included in SBS Radio's early years in 1978.
Dr Dante Juanta OAM (1991)
A teacher and professor in the Philippines before settling in Australia, Dr Reynaldo "Dante" Juanta was the first Filipino from South Australia to be awarded the title OAM in 1991.
He was recognised for his service to education, multiculturalism and service to the Filipino community.
Dr Juanta is grateful for the honour he received and to all those who have supported his aspirations since he settled in Australia in 1973.
Orlando Vargas OAM (2003)
Orlando "Orly" Vargas was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the Filipino community.
The Queenslander has worked tirelessly within Filipino community organisations in Queensland and also at the national Australian level.
He moved to Australia as a skilled migrant in the 1980s and started his Australian working career in Queensland with the state government.
He received his OAM recognition as part of the Queen's Birthday 2003 Honours List.
Orlando Vargas received the Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) as handed by Former Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce in 2003. Credit: Orlando Vargas
Deborah Ruiz-Wall OAM (2004)
Journalist and author Deborah Ruiz-Wall from Sydney was awarded the OAM in 2004 for her service to the community in the fields of social justice, reconciliation, and multiculturalism.
She continues her advocacy work for women, promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by using poetry, oral history and articles to bring awareness of the realities of what's happening in society.
Ruiz-Wall believes that "education and service to people never ends and should never end because we are always faced with trials and challenges."
Manny Castillo OAM (2009)
Former Philippine Australian Sports and Culture president Manny Castillo was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2009.
He was recognised for his contributions to the promotion of culture, sports and community service.
Castillo doesn't take the award for granted but rather treasures it as a recognition for his achievements and contribution to the community.
Dr Julie Chio Nunez OAM (2013)
The western Sydney resident Dr Julie Nunez received the Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) for her service to the Filipino people in Blacktown.
She received her OAM along with others during the Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours List.
Since arriving in Australia in 1986, Dr Nunez has been an active and leading member of several civic, social and religious community organisations aimed at helping those in need of assistance.
Dr Julie Nunez OAM was recognised for her service to the Filipino community of Blacktown. Credit: Tess Sayas (Facebook)
Noonee Doronilla OAM (2015)
Canberran Maria Lourdes "Noonee" Doronilla was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2015.
She was recognised for her achievements in community service in the fields of social welfare and cultural organisations in Victoria and the ACT.
As she continues her community service, she works on projects and works with groups that advocate for women's health, welfare, culture and the arts.
Jun Relunia OAM (2020)
Known for his active service to fellow Filipinos in New South Wales, Jose "Jun" Relunia received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020.
Recognised for his nearly 40 years of service to the Filipino community in NSW.
Community leader Jose 'Jun' Relunia during one of the community events in Sydney. Credit: SBS Filipino/Annalyn Violata
Mr. Relunia moved to Australia in 1981 at the age of 32.
Dr Zenaida Sicat Edwards OAM (2020)
Architectural historian and award-winning author and cultural heritage and human rights advocate Dr Zeny Edwards received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the community, and to heritage preservation.
Dr Edwards served in various lead roles including as director of the Peace Program of the United Nations Association of Australia (2013-2018); President of the Institute for Global Peace and Sustainable Governance (2021 to current), chair of UN Women Australia NSW (2011-2013), and president of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) in 2006 - 2008 among others.
She has published a number of biographies and architectural histories along with being committed to serving the community and the preservation of heritage.
She was awarded her OAM during the Australia Day 2020 Honours List.
Dr Zeny Edwards OAM (middle) poses with Filipino community leaders Josie Musa and Albie Prias in an International Women's Day celebration in 2023. Credit: SBS Filipino
Rachel Bessant OAM (2019)
Tasmanian Rachel Bessant was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division in 2019 for her service to children in the Philippines.
Ms Bessant founded the Filipino Needy Children Fund Inc., which she hopes will assist the many children and people in dire need in the Philippines.
She works tirelessly to continue raising funds for disaster victims in the Philippines and as well as in Australia.
Rachel Bessant (right) with co-volunteer and charity supporter Martha Beard (left) with Mayor of Launceston Abert Van Zetten. Source: Supplied
Virginia Pitts OAM (2023)
Western Australian Virginia Pitts was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2023in the General Division for her service to the multicultural communities of the Peel region.
Mrs Pitts is the President of the Peel Multicultural Association Inc. and has been working with the non-profit organisation for over 16 years. They provide opportunities for people to learn, reskill flourish and grow, among other services like support, guidance, advocacy, digital mentoring, language support, courses, domestic violence protection and information sessions in financial matters, legal services & civic responsibility.
The Filipino OAM awardee was inducted on The King's Birthday 2023 Honours List.
Virginia Pitts OAM from Western Australia was recognised for her service to the multicultural communities of the Peel region. Credit: Jenz Basilonia-Ryall (Facebook)
Carmen Garcia OAM (2024)
Among the 1,042 recipients of the 2024 Australia Day Honours include the diversity and inclusion advocate and current Philippine Honorary Consul to South Australia, Carmen Garcia.
She was recognised for her valuable service to the multicultural community through diversity and inclusion advocacy and programs.
Ms Garcia is the founder and chief executive officer of Community Corporate, a nationwide diversity and inclusion firm.
