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By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
A teenage charity founder and a 101-year-old military veteran with a passion for tennis were among the diverse charity, not-for-profit and community sector leaders recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
Nineteen-year-old West Australian Scott Guerini was this year’s youngest award recipient after being named an Officer of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through charitable organisations.
A motivational speaker, marathon runner, podcaster and author, Guerini founded Scott’s Great Walk for Telethon as a four-year-old in 2010, after a kindergarten lesson on fundraising inspired him to walk 25km from the family farm to town to raise money to help sick babies and children.
Guerini has walked or run fundraising marathons every year since, clocking up 1,100km and raising more than $220,000 for charity.
He said he was surprised but honoured when told he had been awarded an OAM.
“It was just incredible because I never thought I’d be in such a position where my charity efforts would be recognised in this way, so it was kind of amazing really.”
Guerini, who is in his second year of studying cybersecurity at university, said receiving an OAM would spur on his efforts to help others.
“Obviously, it feels good every year doing what I do, but receiving such an honour just gives me fresh ambition to keep pushing myself and keep doing good things for people and taking the charity as far as I can.”
At the other end of the age scale, 101-year-old Henry Young received an OAM for service to veterans, and to tennis.
Young, from Myrtle Bank in South Australia, is an honorary life member of the Memorial Drive Tennis Club in Adelaide and a member of the South Australian Seniors Tennis Association, and he saw extensive service with the Fleet Air Arm in World War Two.
Young, who plans to play tennis with his doubles partner Pam McGrath in an international tournament in Croatia in October and believes the secret to his longevity is drinking six litres of milk every week, said he felt humbled to be recognised by the King.
“There are many people who are more worthy than me for an award of this nature,” said Young.
“Australia is a lucky country and we are all fortunate to live in it. There is no better place to live in the world.”
A total of 830 people were recognised across multiple categories in this year’s awards, a 30 per cent increase on the 2025 Australia Day Honour’s List.
The not-for-profit and charity sector was well represented, with award recipients ranging from high profile CEOs and sportspeople through to unsung grassroots community members, all of them acknowledged by Governor General Samantha Mostyn.
“These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourish across our country.”
“I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List,” she said.
“These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourish across our country.”
Mostyn said that as Governor General, she is witness to the values of care, kindness and respect evident in Australians recognised by the nations honours system.
“Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve,” she said.
“To all who are being recognised in the Kings Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia.”
High profile Kings Birthday Honours List recipients this year included:
The diverse range of charity, NFP and community sector award recipients ranged from enthusiastic community sports advocates to philanthropists and indefatigable volunteers.
They included:
Read the full 2025 Kings Birthday Honours List
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