Former Resthaven CEO Richard Hearn (pictured) has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his “significant service to aged care and the community”, alongside several other notable aged care figures and advocates.
Announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Richard’s AM comes after decades in the aged care and charitable sector, including 34 years at Resthaven.
Current Resthaven CEO Darren Birbeck applauded Richard for his work, saying the award is well-deserved.
“On behalf of the Resthaven Board, our staff, volunteers, and the 14,000 people supported by Resthaven, I congratulate Richard on becoming a Member of the Order of Australia.
“Richard has been an inspirational leader, who demonstrated unwavering advocacy and support for older people in our community. He is an incredibly worthy recipient of this honour,” he said.
Other figures in aged care and advocacy recognised this year include:
- Val Fell OAM of OPAN and the Aged Care Council of Elders, for service to people with dementia
- George Greenberg AM of Emmy Monash Aged Care, for significant service to aged care and to medical advisory roles
- Helena Kyriazopoulos OAM of Aged Rights Advocacy Service (SA), for service to the multicultural community of South Australia
- Gael Perry OAM of the Wesley Centre for Life Enrichment, Wesley Uniting Church Geelong, for service to multicultural aged care and to the community
Opal HealthCare CEO Rachel Argaman was also awarded an OAM this year, in the Australia Day honours.