08/06/2026
Today, in much of Australia, we mark the King’s Birthday public holiday and the announcement of the King’s Birthday Honours.
The honours recognise Australians whose contributions have enriched public life, professional excellence and community service. While public recognition does not always capture every form of service, it remains an opportunity to reflect on the people whose work has made a difference to others.
In recent days, two Australians previously honoured through the Order of Australia have died.
The Hon. Fr Michael Tate AO died on 5 June. He was a former law academic, Justice Minister, Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Holy See, and later a diocesan priest in the Archdiocese of Hobart.
I first met Fr Tate in Rome in 1997 while studying in Siena, through Hobart friends. He was preparing for priestly ordination, and we shared a delightful afternoon in a café near the English College.
What stayed with me was not his impressive résumé, but his character.
He was humble, friendly and completely without self-importance.
A few years later we crossed paths again in Adelaide while attending different conferences. We met for breakfast coffee and spoke about our respective work. He was interested in what I was doing and pleased that I was helping people experiencing emotional difficulties.
Over the years, whenever I saw him, he remained the same: polite, friendly, humble and kind.
He could easily have retired after politics and diplomacy or pursued a distinguished legal career. Instead, he chose ministry and a life of quiet service.
Professor Richard Scolyer AO died on 7 June. He was an eminent Australian pathologist, an internationally recognised melanoma researcher, former Australian of the Year, and later a powerful advocate for brain tumour research after his own terminal diagnosis.
I never had the pleasure of knowing Professor Scolyer personally. Yet many Australians, including friends of mine affected by cancer, have likely benefited from his research, advocacy and courage. By all accounts, he is remembered for his humility, kindness and generosity.
There is a poignant Tasmanian connection between these two men.
Fr Tate was born in Sydney and lived most of his life in Tasmania.
Professor Scolyer was born in Tasmania and lived and worked most of his life in Sydney.
In my work with men, I often see how much positive male role modelling matters. Men like these remind us that strength can be quiet, intelligence can remain kind, and achievement can be placed in service of others.
Perhaps that is one way to reflect on the words Advance Australia Fair.
Not only that Australia advances, but that it advances fairly, with more room for the service, dignity and humanity of all its people to be seen.
Their deaths, coming so close to today’s honours, remind me that achievement is most powerful when it becomes service, and that the best work continues helping people long after the person has gone.
Vale, The Hon. Fr Michael Tate AO.
Vale, Professor Richard Scolyer AO.
Photo: Isaak Cole
