Indian-Australians Honoured in 2025 King’s Birthday Awards

Trailblazers in health, arts, and community service recognised on the national stage

In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, eleven Australians of Indian heritage have been recognised for their outstanding contributions across various fields, including public health, the arts, multicultural engagement, and community welfare. Their inclusion in the national list of 830 awardees highlights the growing role of Indian-origin Australians in shaping the nation’s social and civic landscape.

The honourees have made significant impacts in their respective domains, reflecting the diverse talents and commitments of the Indian-Australian community. Their recognition underscores the importance of multicultural contributions to Australia’s development.

Meet the Honourees

Professor Gita Mishra AO (QLD)

Award: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
For: Distinguished service to medical research, particularly women’s health

Professor Mishra of the University of Queensland has been recognised for her significant contributions to national policy and public understanding of women’s health. She is best known for her pioneering research on the prevalence of endometriosis in Australia and for leading longitudinal studies on women’s health since 1996.

Dr Sajeev Koshy AM (VIC)

Award: Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
For: Significant service to dentistry, particularly through board and leadership roles

The late Dr Koshy was posthumously recognised for his lifelong commitment to the public health sector as an endodontist. Guided by the aim to ensure access to healthcare for all, his work impacted a wide range of communities, especially refugee and migrant groups.

Bina Chandra PSM (ACT)

Award: Public Service Medal (PSM)
For: Outstanding public service in enabling Australia’s diplomatic infrastructure

Chandra has been honoured for her two-decade-long contribution to Australia’s diplomatic infrastructure, enabling foreign policy through the development and maintenance of diplomatic missions worldwide.

Menaka Iyengar Cooke OAM (NSW)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to women, and to the community

Having lived in Australia since 1973, Cooke overcame personal challenges to build a successful career in human resources and organisational development, working with ASX100 and international companies.

Gopinath and Ramnath Iyer OAM (VIC)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to music

The Iyer Brothers, Melbourne-based musicians, have each received an Order of Australia Medal for their contributions to Indian classical music in Australia.

Bindi Shah OAM (VIC)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to the community through a range of roles

As co-founder of the grassroots community-based charity WISEKidsWORLD, Shah has been honoured for her volunteering activities across the nation and beyond.

Dr Srinivas Bolisetty PSM (NSW)

Award: Public Service Medal (PSM)
For: Outstanding public service in neonatal care

Dr Bolisetty has been recognised for his significant contributions to neonatal care, particularly in the development of clinical guidelines and policies improving outcomes for newborns.

Custodio “Chappie” Lobo OAM (WA)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to the community through music

Lobo has been honoured for his contributions to the community through music, particularly in promoting multicultural understanding and engagement.

Satish Gupta OAM (SA)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to the community of South Australia

Dr Gupta has been recognised for his service to the community of South Australia, including leadership roles in various organisations and contributions to multicultural initiatives.

Haran Ramachandran OAM (NSW)

Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
For: Service to the community through a range of organisations

Ramachandran has been honoured for his extensive service to the community, including involvement in educational and cultural organisations promoting diversity and inclusion.

These honours are more than symbolic, they reflect the growing civic footprint of Indian-Australians across the nation. From boardrooms to community centres, these recipients embody what it means to serve, not as token representatives, but as agents of lasting change.

As multiculturalism faces global challenges, this moment reinforces a simple truth: representation is not about ticking boxes, it’s about leadership, empathy, and creating space for every voice.

Made in India Magazine extends heartfelt congratulations to the eleven honourees. Let us honour them not just with headlines, but by continuing to amplify the work they’ve begun, in health clinics, rehearsal halls, classrooms, and council chambers across Australia.

This is not the end of their story, it’s just the beginning of ours.