FORMER ACON PRESIDENT RECOGNISED
WITH 2019 AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
Former ACON President Mark Orr has been recognised in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list, receiving a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Mr Orr, who served as President of ACON from 2008 to 2015, was recognised for ‘significant service to community health through a range of initiatives’.
A long-standing champion for the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV and people in LGBTI communities, Mr Orr has been involved in HIV and LGBTI advocacy for decades.
Over the years, Mr Orr has taken up various leadership, board and advisory positions pro bono with a number of community organisations including ACON, the AIDS Trust of Australia, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.
During his presidency at ACON, Mr Orr oversaw a range of initiatives and outcomes that have helped ensure a stronger and more stable organisation.
Mr Orr is now chief executive officer of Flourish Australia, leading one of the largest mental health organisations in the country.
ACON President Dr Justin Koonin said Mr Orr is a well-deserving recipient of one of Australia’s highest orders of merit.
“ACON commends Mark on this wonderful recognition of his decades-long advocacy work for LGBTI people and people with HIV,” Dr Koonin said.
“Through his involvement with various community organisations, Mark has played a key role in helping deliver a range of important health and rights outcomes for our communities.
“His dedicated service over many years, utilising his leadership skills, governance and health expertise in a voluntary capacity for the betterment of organisations that serve LGBTI communities and people living with HIV, has been quite outstanding.
“In addition to his many community roles, Mark has mentored many others as they take on leadership roles within our communities.
“Our communities are stronger and more resilient thanks to the tireless efforts of people like Mark.
“His long-standing passion and commitment to improving the health of LGBTI people and people living with HIV is an inspiration to many in the HIV sector and wider LGBTI communities.
“ACON congratulates Mark on receiving this prestigious honour.”
