Fr John Joseph USHER has received the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Fr Usher, the director of Centacare and Parish Priest of Mortlake, was admitted to the award for service to the community, particularly children and young people, through the social welfare programs of the Catholic Church and organisations providing services for children and statutory authorities. Father Usher has served as the Director of Centacare Catholic Community Services in Sydney, since 1983, leading a team of 400 professionals, carers and volunteers.
For more information on Centacare, click here

 

Also receiving awards, in the category of Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) were Rev. Doctor Cornelius KEOGH, and Rev. Fr Victor DOYLE.
Fr Doyle received the award for service to the community, particularly through the social welfare programmes of the Catholic Church. Father Doyle has served as a Catholic Priest for 56 years and as Parish Priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waterloo 1974-2000. He has now retired.

Fr Keogh received the award for service to the community, particularly through rehabilitation support for people with a mental illness as co-founder of GROW. GROW is a program designed to help with rehabilitation from mental illness. Fr Con Keogh is a member of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney but the organisation is not a service of that denomination, or any other. "GROW provides friendly help for those suffering from emotional distress, depression or other effects of stress. GROW has no affiliation with any organised church or religion. GROW's broad basis of belief is in ourselves and one another as persons. While belief in God has played a vital role in the recovery and growth of many Growers, it is not required for membership."