What an extraordinary honour it was to receive an Order of Australia this year in recognition of my personal contribution to philanthropic events in the business and community. It is deeply humbling to be recognised for something I believe in so passionately. Business cannot thrive without community, and fostering community is every bit as much about giving and participating as it is about belonging.

I am a proud Australian, and was never more proud than on the day I stood at Governor House to receive this award from Governor General Linda Dessau.

But while I am deeply honoured to have been recognised in this way, I do not act alone, and there are many in my family and business who I would call the “unsung heroes” who have directly contributed to the good I have been able to achieve in the community, and who are therefore also deserving of this award.

I wish to thank firstly my wife Jaqui Maree, who gives abundantly of her time, talents and resources to support numerous charitable organisations, and who inspires and empowers many others to do the same. In addition, I’d like to highlight the actions of the leadership cohort and entire team at GJK Facility Services, who have demonstrated time and again through the GJK Giving Back program - via volunteering work, corporate giving, their commitment to sustainability and advocacy for those in need - what it truly means to “give back.”