In the recent Australia Day 2016 honours many people were recognised for contribution to religious organisations and services. The NCCA congratulates all of them, with special mention of four who have been recognised for their contribution to ecumenism:

The Very Reverend Canon David Leyburn RICHARDSON AO, OBE is an Australian-born Anglican priest, who was dean of St Peter’s Cathedral Adelaide (1988-1999) and St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne (1999-2008) and director of theAnglican Centre in Rome (2009-2013) .

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to religion, and to the Anglican Church of Australia, through international representational, ecumenical development, and interfaith cooperation roles.

Richardson is also a Chaplain of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Order of St John).

Mr Alan Douglas HEWITT AM, (known as Doug) is a Uniting Church minister, who was Honorary General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council from 2012-2014 and a member of the Peace and Justice Commission since 2000. Doug was Chairman, Commission for Christian World Service (NCCA) from 1978-1990, having been a Member since late 1960s, has served on the NCCA Finance Committee and was Coordinator of 'Pilgrimage to the Heart' from 1998-2000.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Emeritus Professor John Warwick NEVILE, AM, has made an important contribution ecumenically, as Convenor of the Social Issues Commission of the New South Wales Ecumenical Council from 1990-2003 and continues to be the Anglican Delegate.  He was also a Committee Member of the Australian Council of Churches from  1965-1985. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary education, particularly economics, as an academic and author, and to professional organisations.

Mr Allan John SAUER OAM, is Treasurer of the Australasian Religious Press Association, an ecumenical Christian communication network for Australian and New Zealand publications and their editors, journalists, designers, contributors. He has been awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to the Anglican Church of Australia.