Australians of Hellenic heritage are among those recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List, announced by the Governor-General today, with honours spanning the judiciary, medicine, community leadership, philanthropy, education, sport, emergency services and defence.
A total of 949 Australians were honoured this year across the Order of Australia, Meritorious awards, and Distinguished and Conspicuous Service awards.
Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC said the recipients reflected Australia’s values of service and community.
“So many Australians continue to give the best of themselves in the interest of others,” she said.
The Greek Herald spoke with a number of Greek Australians recognised in this year’s Honours List about their service and what the recognition means to them.
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
Chief Justice Christopher John Kourakis AC, SA
The Honourable Chief Justice Christopher John Kourakis was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the judiciary, the law and legal reform, social justice and gender equity, the Greek community, and education.
Chief Justice Kourakis has served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia since 2012, following his appointment as a judge of the Court in 2008. He previously served as Solicitor-General of South Australia from 2003 to 2008, and has been a Senior Counsel since 1997, after being admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1982.
His career has included senior leadership roles within the Legal Services Commission of South Australia, extensive involvement in national judicial bodies, and advisory positions with The University of Adelaide, reflecting a long-standing commitment to legal education and institutional reform.
Alongside his judicial responsibilities, Chief Justice Kourakis has maintained strong engagement with multicultural and Hellenic organisations. He has served as National and South Australian Patron of the Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association, and has been a consistent supporter of initiatives promoting young professionals and community leadership.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Chief Justice Kourakis said the honour was particularly meaningful as it recognised contributions beyond his formal judicial role.
“It’s really satisfying to be recognised for the things you do outside the core job that you hold,” he said.
Reflecting on his migrant background he explained, “I’ve always tried to support children of migrants like me to advance in their community and working lives,” he said. “Seeing the child of an earlier wave of migrants in a leadership position gives newer migrants hope for their children.”
With his tenure as Chief Justice concluding in February 2026, he said the next chapter would allow him to deepen his community involvement.
“Once I leave the judiciary, I’ll be able to be more directly involved – mentoring young professionals, supporting community organisations, and speaking more freely,” he said. “I’m looking forward to contributing in ways that simply aren’t possible while serving as a judge.”
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Nicholas Lintzeris AM, NSW
Conjoint Professor Nicholas Lintzeris was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service as a clinical researcher in addiction medicine, recognising more than three decades of leadership in improving treatment outcomes for people with substance-use disorders in Australia and internationally.
Professor Lintzeris has held senior clinical, academic and leadership roles across addiction medicine for over 30 years, with a focus on advancing evidence-based treatment, reducing harm and improving access to care for some of the most marginalised people in society. His work has contributed extensively to clinical guidelines, policy development and national approaches to drug and alcohol treatment.
He has been a Conjoint Professor at the University of Sydney since 2014, a former President of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine, and a chief investigator on numerous National Health and Medical Research Council grants. His academic output includes more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting a career dedicated to translating research into practical clinical outcomes.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Professor Lintzeris said the recognition was especially meaningful given the nature of the work he has devoted his career to – supporting people who are often pushed to the margins of society.
“We work in an area that carries a lot of stigma,” he said. “People who struggle with drug and alcohol problems are often judged harshly – and so are the people who work with them.”
One of the most significant contributions of his career, he said, was helping introduce medication-based treatment for opioid dependence in Australia in the mid-1990s (buprenorphine), allowing people to access care without having to abandon their families, jobs or daily lives.
“Once upon a time, if you had a heroin problem, treatment meant giving up your job, your family and your life to enter long-term residential rehabilitation,” he said. “Now people can see a doctor, start treatment, and return to work the next day. That simply wasn’t possible 30 or 40 years ago.”
He said the impact of those changes extended well beyond individual patients.
“It’s not just thousands of patients,” he said. “It’s their families as well.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Professor Lintzeris said his Greek heritage and migrant experience profoundly shaped his understanding of marginalisation and the direction of his work.
“I grew up as a ‘wog’ in Hobart in the 1970s, where there were very few of us,” he said. “You grow up understanding what it’s like to be ‘the other’. That experience stays with you – and it shapes the work you choose to do.”
Looking ahead, Professor Lintzeris said his focus remains on improving treatment options for alcohol, stimulant and cannabis-related problems, and on making care more accessible to Australians who need it.
Professor Nicholas Manolios AM, NSW
Professor Nicholas Manolios AM, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to medicine in the field of immunology and rheumatic diseases.
Professor Manolios has had a distinguished clinical, academic and research career spanning several decades. He has been closely associated with Westmead Hospital within the Western Sydney Local Health District, where he served as Director of Rheumatology for 25 years and continues as a member of the Honorary Medical Staff and a clinical researcher at the Clinical Research Centre. He has also contributed to research governance through his service on the Scientific Advisory Council.
At The University of Sydney, Professor Manolios has been a Professor of Medicine since 2010. He previously served as Sub Dean of the Westmead Clinical School for six years and as Director of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research from 2000 to 2014, combining senior leadership with medical education and research development.
He has been a member of the Australian Rheumatology Association since 1978 and continues to serve on the NSW/ACT Council and multiple committees, including the Scientific Programming Committee. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, and a former Director of the NSW Arthritis Foundation.
Professor Manolios is the author or co-author of more than 200 research papers, reflecting a sustained contribution to rheumatology, immunology and clinical research in Australia.
Nicolas George Mersiades AM, NSW
Mr Nicolas George Mersiades AM, of Balgowlah Heights, NSW, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to aged welfare.
Mr Mersiades has had a long and senior career across aged care policy, regulation and administration, spanning government, advisory and sector leadership roles. He served as Deputy Chair of the Aged Care Financing Authority from 2012 to 2021 and is currently a Board Member of the Aged Care Advisory Committee within the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority. His contributions have also included membership of the Aged Care Sector Committee and the Aged Care Quality Advisory Council of the former Aged Care Quality Agency.
Within the Department of Health, Mr Mersiades held a number of senior executive roles, including First Assistant Secretary of the Aged Care Division from 2002 to 2006. He previously served as State Manager in New South Wales and Queensland, and as Principal Advisor in the Budget Management Branch, contributing to national aged care policy development, funding oversight and service delivery reform.
Beyond government, Mr Mersiades has held senior leadership positions within the not-for-profit health and aged care sector. He served as Director of Aged Care at Catholic Health Australia from 2009 to 2022 and as General Manager of Strategic Policy at Catholic Healthcare from 2006 to 2009. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Senior Executive Service within the Department of Finance, further strengthening his expertise in public administration and financial governance.
Mr Mersiades’ career reflects a sustained commitment to improving aged care systems, funding frameworks and quality oversight in Australia.
Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Petros (Peter) Christos Copulos OAM, VIC
Mr Petros Christos Copulos was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable organisations, recognising decades of sustained philanthropy and leadership in regional Victoria.
A long-time resident of Shepparton, Mr Copulos migrated to Australia as a child from Greek Macedonia in 1948, arriving with his family from a region marked by war, hunger and hardship. Reflecting on his early life, he told The Greek Herald that survival in his village depended on seasonal food production and the support of extended family networks.
“If we had stayed in the village, we didn’t have enough to eat,” he said. “Australia gave us the opportunity to work hard and to benefit from our work. I never dreamed of being able to achieve what my family and I have achieved.”
Mr Copulos went on to establish a successful business career in regional Victoria and, in 2008, he and his wife Maria founded the Peter and Maria Copulos Foundation as an expression of gratitude to the community that supported them. Since its establishment, the Foundation has provided extensive support across regional health, education, emergency services, arts and cultural institutions, with a strong focus on long-term, locally based outcomes.
“The community has helped me a lot over the years,” Mr Copulos said. “I’m at a stage now where I’d like to give back.”
Among the Foundation’s most significant contributions was a $1 million donation in 2019 towards the development of the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), with the building’s foyer now carrying the Copulos family name. In 2023, the Foundation funded postgraduate nursing and midwifery scholarships at Goulburn Valley Health, supporting local nurses to study, upskill and remain working in the region.
Mr Copulos said the decision to focus on regional health services was deeply personal.
“The hospital helps the whole community,” he said. “Health services, ambulances, fire brigades, police – these are the services that look after people when they need it most.”
Over the years, the Foundation has also supported Shepparton Search and Rescue, local schools, community organisations, and regional emergency services, with Mr Copulos emphasising that his philanthropy was never intended to be short-term.
“My support is ongoing,” he said. “We have structured things so it will continue for generations to come.”
Reflecting on his Hellenic heritage, Mr Copulos said his values were shaped by childhood memories of war, migration and hunger, including vivid recollections passed down through generations.
“My ancestors had to leave – Australia, America, Germany – to send money back so the family could survive,” he said. “I remember everything. Hunger teaches you what really matters.”
He said those experiences instilled a lifelong sense of responsibility to ensure others did not endure the same hardship.
“We worked day and night to get where we are,” he said. “So giving back is simply the right thing to do.”
Mr Copulos said the honour came as a genuine surprise.
“I never expected to be recognised in this way,” he said. “I say thank you to Australia, and to the Shepparton community, for honouring me like this.”
Viola Kalokerinos OAM, ACT
Mrs Viola Kalokerinos was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Canberra.
Having migrated to Australia more than 50 years ago, she settled in the ACT and worked alongside her husband in their family milk bar and pizza business. Following his sudden passing in 2003, she continued managing the business while increasing her involvement in volunteer and community work.
She has supported local schools, the Greek Orthodox Church and a wide range of community organisations, and played a key role in establishing a Bendigo Community Bank branch in her suburb after all local banks closed.
Following the opening of the community bank, Mrs Kalokerinos became involved – and remains involved – with an organisation supporting people with disabilities. What began as relationships formed through her shop developed into long-term personal connections.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, she said this support has continued for many years.
“I first knew them from the shop, and I would invite them to my home and cook for them once a month,” she said. “Even today, we still meet every month. Over the years, some have passed away, but we are very close – like a family.”
In 2013, Mrs Kalokerinos was recognised by UN Women Canberra as one of 100 women honoured for their contribution to the broader community.
Reflecting on receiving the Order of Australia, she described the recognition as unexpected.
“I never imagined that the work I did for my community would ever lead to something like this,” she said.
George Moscos OAM, NSW
Mr George Moscos was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of North Sydney.
A career educator for more than 50 years, Mr Moscos devoted his professional life to teaching, leadership and mentoring within the New South Wales public education system. Even after formally retiring, he continued to support the next generation of teachers through mentoring roles and university practicum programs.
Beyond education, Mr Moscos has made a significant contribution to community life through faith, sport and veteran support organisations. He has served for decades at St Michael’s Greek Orthodox Church in Crows Nest, where he has been a long-time parish councillor and continues to serve as a chanter. His community leadership has also extended to Sydney Legacy, where he has supported widows and young people affected by war, and contributed to national commemorative initiatives, including Anzac Centenary education programs.
Mr Moscos has also played a substantial role in Australian football at the community and administrative level. He served as Chairman and President of North Ryde Soccer Club – formerly known as Ryde City – and is a Life Member of the club. In addition, he served for a number of years on the Football NSW judiciary, contributing to the governance and integrity of the sport.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Mr Moscos said he felt both humbled and proud to receive the honour.
“I’m greatly honoured and very proud to accept it,” he said. “I never expected to receive an award like this.”
One of the most memorable achievements of his career came through his work combining education, sport and international engagement. As a school football coach, Mr Moscos led 17 overseas tours over 17 years, fostering cultural exchange and lifelong friendships.
“In 2012, we became the first Australian schoolboys’ team to go to Gallipoli and play against Turkish schoolboys,” he said. “We made many friends – and that, to me, is what matters most.”
Reflecting on his heritage, Mr Moscos said his values were shaped by his parents, who migrated from the island of Symi.
“They taught us respect – for others, for faith and for community,” he said. “Those values have guided everything I’ve done.”
He said the relationships built over a lifetime of service had been the greatest reward.
“It’s the friends I’ve made and the support I’ve received that have mattered most,” he said. “We’re never alone – community is everything.”
Peter Leo Papps OAM, NSW
Mr Peter Leo Papps was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the sport of shooting, recognising more than seven decades of involvement as a competitor, administrator and mentor.
Now aged 86, Mr Papps began competitive shooting at just 12 years old. One of the defining moments of his career came early, when he represented Australia in rapid-fire pistol shooting at the 1956 Olympic Games, aged just 16, as part of the nation’s first Olympic pistol team.
“That was most probably one of the highlights of my shooting career,” he said. “It was a very proud moment to represent Australia.”
Beyond competition, Mr Papps has played a significant leadership role in the sport at both national and international levels. He served as President of the Australian Shooting Association from 1977 to 1980, was Vice-President of the Australian Clay Target Association, and represented Australia internationally through the International Shooting Union. He also acted as a delegate to both the Australian Olympic Federation and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association during the late 1970s.
At club level, he has been instrumental in the development of shooting organisations across New South Wales, the ACT and South Australia. He is a Founding and Life Member of ACT International Clay Target, established in 1973, and has served as President of the Berrima Clay Target Club since 2022, having been a founding member in 2015. Earlier roles include Vice-President of the Canberra and Queanbeyan Gun Club, as well as sponsorship and support of national competitions, including the Australian Federal Police Shooting Competition during the late 1970s. He also co-founded Frontier Arms in South Australia, operating the business from 1977 to 1988.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Mr Papps said his focus in later years has been on education, safety and clearly distinguishing licensed, competitive shooting from criminal gun use.
“My aim has always been to make sure young people are taught properly – with discipline, safety and respect,” he said. “If you educate people correctly, you protect both the sport and the community.”
He highlighted his long-standing involvement in structured junior training programs through local gun clubs, including initiatives linked to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which emphasise extended supervision, accountability and responsible participation.
Reflecting on his heritage, Mr Papps said his family’s Greek roots form part of a much longer Australian story. His grandfather, Panai Pappadakis, migrated to Australia from Galaxidi – then a small fishing village in Greece – in the late 19th century, among the earliest waves of Greek migration to Australia.
Apostolos (Paul) Gaganis OAM, SA
Mr Apostolos (Paul) Gaganis was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community and to the Australian food industry, recognising more than five decades of hands-on support for migrant and refugee communities across South Australia.
Since 1971, Mr Gaganis has served as Managing Director and Chairman of Gaganis Bros Imported Food Wholesalers Pty Ltd. Through his warehouse operations, he became a direct source of assistance for newly arrived families from Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, many of whom were referred to him by churches, community organisations and government services when food was scarce.
“Thousands of people always needed some kind of help,” he told The Greek Herald. “And we tried, in the best way possible, to help them.”
Working from a warehouse rather than a retail outlet allowed him to respond at scale. He recalled refugee families housed in former military camps who were being fed, but lacked access to familiar staples.
“They asked for sacks of beans and lentils,” he said. “Not kilos – sacks.”
Food was provided in bulk so families could cook for themselves, restoring dignity at a time when they had little control over their lives.
“Hunger is the worst thing that exists,” he said. “If someone was hungry, I didn’t want to talk – I wanted them to eat.”
Mr Gaganis said he always chose to give food rather than money, ensuring immediate needs were met. Many people he assisted later returned – some now working in industry or trades – simply to thank him.
“They remembered they were never hungry,” he said.
Originally from Veria, near Thessaloniki, Mr Gaganis said his values were shaped by stories of hardship during the years of Occupation.
“I grew up hearing, ‘We only have half a kilo of beans – add more water so everyone can eat,’” he said. “So I always asked myself, why should anyone be hungry in Australia, when Australia has everything?”
Beyond his wholesale business, Mr Gaganis is also the owner and producer of Limestone Olive Park at Port Wakefield and has supported disability services, schools, food rescue initiatives and bushfire relief efforts for decades. A parishioner of St George Greek Orthodox Church in Thebarton and the Western Suburbs, he has remained closely connected to the Greek Orthodox community.
Reflecting on the honour, he said recognition was never his aim.
“I only did what I thought was right,” he said.
Meritorious awards
Nektarios Parissis APM, VIC
Acting Sergeant Nektarios Parissis was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force.
A member of Victoria Police for 35 years, Acting Sergeant Parissis has served Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs in both frontline operational and community liaison roles, building strong relationships with partner agencies, local stakeholders and vulnerable community members.
He has demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement, working closely with organisations including the Salvation Army and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities to ensure victims of crime are understood and supported through investigative processes.
For the past 14 years, Acting Sergeant Parissis has led the Victoria Police Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with Ronald McDonald House, bringing the community together to support children facing serious health challenges.
His dedication to community policing has been recognised through his appointment as Neighbourhood Policing Co-ordinator for Melbourne North, where he continues to serve as a respected officer, colleague and mentor.
George Haitidis ESM, VIC
Mr George Haitidis was awarded the Emergency Services Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
Mr Haitidis has been a dedicated operational member of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) for nearly 20 years, joining the Monash Unit in July 2005. He was appointed Section Leader in 2008 and later that year assumed the role of Unit Controller and Officer in Charge.
A highly trained land-based swift water specialist, Mr Haitidis has been deployed across Victoria in both preparedness and operational response roles. His leadership during the Maribyrnong floods in 2023 was critical to the rescue of residents trapped by rapidly rising waters, and he also played a key role in rescuing nine people during the October 2022 floods.
Beyond operational leadership, Mr Haitidis has shown strong care for volunteer wellbeing, leading mental health initiatives and training programs in partnership with the Emergency Services Foundation, and providing mentorship and personal support to volunteers across VICSES.
As a trained Divisional Commander, he has overseen multi-unit coordination during major storm operations, contributing significantly to large-scale emergency responses across the state.
Nadia Ann Nearhos ACM, QLD
Ms Nadia Ann Nearhos (Tschirpig) was awarded the Australian Corrections Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian correctional service.
Ms Nearhos is Regional Manager for Community Corrections in Queensland’s South Coast region and brings more than 20 years of frontline and leadership experience in corrective services.
Progressing from an administrative officer to a community correctional officer, she has built strong operational foundations through direct engagement with offenders across diverse communities, including remote and high-risk areas, supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism.
She has demonstrated a strong commitment to frontline safety, risk management and staff development, including leading emergency responses during the 2023 Christmas Day storms on the Gold Coast to ensure service continuity and staff welfare.
Ms Nearhos has driven innovation across community corrections, including leading the rollout of the Connect Electronic Case Management System, advancing end-to-end case management, and improving tailored support for women under supervision. She continues to work closely with police, courts and community partners to strengthen responses to domestic and family violence and organised crime.
Military honours
Christopher Anthony Kukas CSM
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Anthony Kukas was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal for meritorious achievement as Staff Officer Personnel Plans within Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
Lieutenant Colonel Kukas has led significant reform across operational personnel policy, mortuary affairs and forces entertainment structures, generating substantial improvements in capability while reducing complexity.
His work has directly benefited deployed personnel and has had a positive impact across Headquarters Joint Operations Command operations, activities and investments.
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 was able to identify as being of Greek or Cypriot heritage. If you believe your name should be included, please email info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
