At least four Greek Australians have been recognised by the Governor-General today in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List.
A total of 732 Australians were recognised in this year’s awards, which were divided into three categories – Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), Meritorious awards, and recognition for Distinguished and Conspicuous awards.
Included in this list, 24 recipients were recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be included in a permanent COVID-19 Honour Roll.
The Governor-General congratulated all Australians who were recognised in today’s honours list.
“Recipients have made a difference and had an impact at the local, national and/or international level. Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities,” the Governor-General said.
“Recipients come from all parts of the country. They have served and had an impact in just about every field you can imagine; their stories and backgrounds are diverse. We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness and, today, celebrate them.”
The Greek Herald spoke to some of the Greek Australians who were recognised to learn more about their achievements and how it feels for them to receive these prestigious awards.
Order of Australia Medal (OAM) category:
Kleoniki Matziaris-Garay – Footscray, VIC
Kleoniki Matziaris-Garay is recognised for her service to the Greek community of Victoria.
Ms Matziaris-Garay has dedicated her life to supporting the welfare and cultural development of the Greek Australian community. Over a career spanning 35 years in the social sector, with 30 years at PRONIA (the Australian Greek Welfare Society), she has worked in various capacities, from counselling individuals and families to coordinating volunteer training programs. She reflected, “Through my work I could also help in my own way our compatriots here, the Greek community.”
She explained that her work evolved to address the unique challenges facing the elderly and women in her community. “For the last 10 years I have been dealing with the elderly. This gave me great joy because I managed to serve our compatriots from various fields and I had also seen the problems that women face, loneliness, especially when they lose their jobs and other various matters.”
Motivated by her observations, she founded the Hellenic Women’s Network VIC (Eliades) five years ago. “I promised myself that when I one day leave the workforce, I would do something for women. Through welfare we had developed many programs such as for domestic violence, but I wanted to do something myself that would encourage women to see their worth and feel that they belong.” Today, the network has 130 members, and she emphasised, “It is open to all ages and all women no matter what education they have.”
Reflecting on her career, she shared a poignant moment, “Something that touched me was when I helped a mother find her son who had been taken up for adoption. This still brings tears to my eyes.”
On receiving the honour, Ms Matziaris-Garay described it as unexpected, “It was a big surprise for me. I didn’t do anything to get awards. I have never thought about it, nor have I ever pursued it. For me, my prize is when I meet my old clients and see their joy to see me. That’s the award and the joy I get. But of course, it is a very great honour.”
Her journey as an immigrant adds another layer of significance. “When I came to Australia and I was 18 years old, I suddenly grew up. The responsibility my parents had once for me, now all the responsibility was coming to me. It is a great thing for an immigrant… to reach this point where this country that we loved is giving us an award. At least I consider Australia as my homeland, same as Greece.”
Dr James Markos – Tasmania
Dr James Markos is recognised for significant service to medical education and research, particularly respiratory and sleep disorders.
Dr Markos has dedicated nearly five decades to improving respiratory health, serving as Tasmania’s first full-time lung and sleep doctor and addressing critical shortages in his field. He has led groundbreaking public health initiatives, including combating wood smoke pollution in Launceston, and contributed to over 30 research publications. His legacy also includes mentoring future medical professionals and promoting lung health through innovative education and community campaigns.
Dr Markos expressed his immense pride in being recognised, describing the honour as “a great honour, sort of somewhat unexpected, but… it’s nice to be acknowledged for work that one’s done.” Reflecting on his career, he noted that his life has been “totally immersed in lung medicine,” dedicating nearly five decades to clinical practice, teaching, and research.
A pioneer in Tasmania, Dr Markos explained, “One of my contributions was that I was actually the first full-time lung and sleep doctor in my region.” His arrival in northern Tasmania addressed a critical shortage in respiratory medicine, ensuring that patients no longer needed to travel out of state for care.
Dr Markos also spoke of his public health advocacy, particularly his efforts to combat wood smoke pollution in Launceston. “I had a lot to do with… researching the wood smoke levels and the health effects, doing health education and public campaigns, and pushing for change to improve the lung health of people in northern Tasmania,” he said.
Teaching was another cornerstone of Dr Markos’s career. “I developed this little program I called my ‘snap, crackle, and pop’ talk,” he explained, describing how he sought to demystify lung medicine for medical students. “It was a pleasure to teach and mentor, to help junior doctors and students understand the nuances of respiratory medicine.”
In addition to his professional contributions, Dr Markos has been actively involved in the Greek Orthodox Community of Launceston and Northern Tasmania. As Secretary, he has helped foster a strong sense of culture and identity within the community. “We try to celebrate Greek Independence Day, Oxi Day, and other cultural events. It’s a small group here in Launceston, but we strive to keep the culture alive.”
Meritorious List:
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Panagiotis (Peter) Tsokas – South Australia
Peter Tsokas is recognised for outstanding public service in local government, particularly in strategic and environmental planning.
As CEO of the City of Unley for 12 years, Mr Tsokas has led innovative projects, including a world-first tree canopy monitoring initiative and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, earning national and global recognition. His leadership, which included representing Unley at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, has enhanced community engagement and set a benchmark for local government excellence in Australia.
Mr Tsokas reflected on his 12-year tenure as CEO of the City of Unley, during which he led the city to remarkable growth. “I have been the CEO at the City of Unley for the last 12 years and during this time, the city has thrived in so many ways, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
He highlighted the city’s focus on sustainability and its reputation for excellence. “Unley has a reputation for its environmental stewardship, vibrant local economy, and civic leadership. These attributes, coupled with our strong sense of community, have cemented the city as a place people truly value—offering an enviable lifestyle, a range of activities, and outstanding facilities and services.”
Community engagement was a cornerstone of his leadership. “We’ve made a deliberate and sustained effort to genuinely listen to our community, ensuring their voices are not only heard but actively shape the decisions we make. This spirit of collaboration has strengthened trust, deepened our connection with the community, and fostered a shared sense of ownership and pride in the future of Unley.”
On receiving the award, Mr Tsokas said, “It’s an incredible honour and privilege to be awarded the Public Service Medal. To be acknowledged for something that I care so deeply about is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the importance of serving our community with dedication and integrity.”
He added that his passion for community service is deeply personal, “Serving the community is more than just my profession, it’s my passion. Knowing that you make a positive difference to many people’s lives is very rewarding.”
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Michael John Delanis – Glen Iris, VIC
Michael Delanis is recognised for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
With over 30 years of service to the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Mr Delanis has been a stalwart in emergency response and disaster management. His leadership roles in the Malvern Unit, including as Unit Controller, have been instrumental in shaping the organisation’s preparedness and response strategies.
Mr Delanis’s contributions extend beyond Victoria, as he has volunteered in interstate disaster relief efforts, including the Shepparton and Murray River floods and Cyclone Seroja in Western Australia. His commitment to mentoring future leaders within VICSES has made him a respected figure in the sector. His unwavering dedication to public safety and community resilience embodies the values of emergency service personnel.
The 2025 Honours List highlights the remarkable contributions of Greek Australians, showcasing their commitment to community, leadership, and excellence. Their achievements are an inspiration to all Australians.
Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.
*These are the names The Greek Herald were able to identify as Greek. If you believe your name should be on this list, please send an email to info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
