New Chair of Council of the Order of Australia

Reconciliation advocate and First Nations consultant, Ms Shelley Reys AO, has been appointed Chair of the Council for the Order of Australia. Ms Reys is a Djirribul woman of Far North Queensland and is the first woman and First Nations woman to be appointed Chair of the Council.

She has significant governance experience through previous roles as the inaugural Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, Vice-Chair of the National Australia Day Council, Vice-Chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation as well as current roles as Board member of KPMG Australia and Board member of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032). 

Ms Reys says she is honoured to accept the appointment.  “The Council’s role is an important one. Acknowledging achievement does not simply send our thanks to those who have made a valuable contribution to their sphere of influence. It also gives all Australians a

sense of what’s possible and courageous across our communities; the many ways Australians go above and beyond on the world stage or in our local neighbourhoods.” 

“More than anything, though, I want to ensure that the Order of Australia honours are as inclusive as possible and are in step with our modern values. It’s important that Australians see themselves in the awards so I want to ensure that we are acknowledging outstanding achievement across the colourful spectrum of who we are.” 

“I look forward to working closely with the Governor-General in placing a spotlight on the wonderful people who bring life to who we are, as a nation,” she says. 

Other appointments to the Council announced in October were: Ms Annie Butler, Ms Cathy McGowan AO and Professor Samina Yasmeen AM who were appointed to the Council as community representatives.  

Ms Butler is an experienced registered nurse and was appointed Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in 2018.  

Ms McGowan was the independent Federal Member for Indi, from 2013 to 2019, former Chair of Regional Women’s Advisory Council and past president of Women in Agriculture.  

Professor Yasmeen is a researcher and teacher at the University of Western Australia, and director and founder of the University’s Centre for Muslim States and Societies.  

The Council makes recommendations to the Governor-General for appointments and awards to the Order of Australia.