GPs recognised with Australia Day Honours

In 2025, several inspiring GPs have been recognised with Australia Day Honours. Hailing from across the country, these inspiring doctors have dedicated their lives to their own communities, to the next generation of GPs, and to working and volunteering overseas.
 
Discover more about the awardees below.
 
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division

Dr Kim Hames, Western Australia
For significant service to the Parliament of Western Australia, to medicine, and to the community.
 
Dr Hames served as Deputy Premier of Western Australia from 2008–16, as well as holding several ministerial positions including health, Aboriginal affairs, housing, and training and workforce development. He has also had a long career as a GP, working at various medical practices since 1980.
 
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
 
Dr Karen Douglas-Make, New South Wales
For service to medicine as a general practitioner, and to the community.
 
Through her career in general practice, Dr Douglas-Make has been a GP and practice owner at Terrigal and Avoca Beach Medical Centres since 1990, as well as being Women’s Health Coordinator at the Central Coast Division of General Practice for more than 20 years.
 
Within the RACGP, she is a life member, a former member of the Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices, a former examiner, and an education and development officer.
 
She was named RACGP GP of the Year for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in 2021.

Dr Margaret Garde, Victoria
For service to medicine, particularly through education.
 
Dr Garde has been Clinical Director of Active Health Portland since 2012 and is being recognised for her contribution to medical education.
 
She was Regional Head of Education, South West, Murray City Country Coast GP Training from 2016– 23, Senior Medical Educator, Southern GP Training, and Director of Training, Greater Green Triangle GP Training.
 
Dr Garde is a current Fellow of the RACGP and received the RACGP Brian Williams Award in 2022.

Dr Joseph Casamento, New South Wales
For service to rugby union as a club doctor.
 
New South Wales GP Dr Casamento was recognised for his services to the Randwick Rugby Club where he was volunteer club doctor for 1978–2022 and became a life member in 2001.
 
The Australia Day 2025 Honours List recognises 732 outstanding and inspirational Australians awarded in three categories – Order of Australia honours (General and Military Divisions), Meritorious awards, and Distinguished and Conspicuous awards (Military).
 
Australia’s Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn, congratulated all the recipients for their work of care and service.
 
‘To read recipient stories is to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matter most to all Australians, in every sphere of life,’ she said.
 
‘Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them.
 
‘To all the remarkable 2025 Australia Day honours recipients today we celebrate you.’
 
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Australia Day Honours Medal of the Order of Australia Member of the Order of Australia