28 January 2025
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) congratulates former President Samantha (Sam) Connor who has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services and contributions to the disability community. Samantha’s tireless advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the principles of “Nothing About Us, Without Us” have shaped PWDA and advanced the rights of people with disability across Australia.
We are grateful for Samantha’s leadership during her tenure as PWDA President (2020–2022) and Vice President (2022–2023). From championing the defeat of the NDIS Independent Assessments proposal to guiding PWDA through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha consistently fought for the rights, safety, and dignity of people with disability. Her leadership extended to mentoring future leaders, strengthening PWDA’s governance, and ensuring the voices of people with disability were front and centre in public conversations about our futures. We’re so glad her contributions both inside and outside of PWDA have been recognised and will stand as a reminder that people are at the heart of the disability activist movement and drive progress for our rights and inclusion.
PWDA also extends heartfelt congratulations to the many people with disability, Paralympians and leaders in the wider disability community whose achievements have been acknowledged in this year’s Honours List.
These include:
- Neale Daniher AO – 2025 Australian of the Year, Co-founder of FightMND and former Australian rules footballer
- Matthew Formston – For significant service to people with disability and para sports.
- Lauren Parker – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Jesse Bage Aungles – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Nikki Louise Ayers – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Jed Norman Altschwager – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Korey Richard Boddington – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Thomas James Gallagher – For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
- Adam Johnston – For significant service to community health, the law, and people living with disability.
- James (Jim) Simpson – For distinguished service to people with disability through legal and advocacy leadership.
- Penelope Gerstle – For her significant service to human rights, community health, and people with disability.
- Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM – 2025 Senior Australian of the Year, Co-founder of Wheelchairs For Kids.
PWDA is pleased the contributions of people with disability to the community were recognised and that our leadership and the fight for progress on our rights and inclusion was recognised in this way.
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