Lutherans recognised in Australia Day Honours

LCA members Jill Lange-Mohr, Meryl Packer and Rex Packer have been recognised in the Australia Day 2020 Honours List.

Ms Lange-Mohr, who received a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to education, has been Head of College at St John’s Lutheran School Geelong and Geelong Lutheran College, Victoria, since 2018.

She was the founding principal of St Peters Lutheran College at Springfield in suburban Ipswich in Queensland, south-west of Brisbane, and led the school from 2008-2018.

A member at St John’s Lutheran Church Geelong, in Victoria, Ms Lange-Mohr is a former LCA representative on the Human Rights Commission Round Table on Religious Freedom in Australia, served on the LLL Board from 2005 to 2015 and was a member of its Executive Committee from 2008 to 2015.

Among other awards, she was named the Leader of the Year for Study Group Australia and New Zealand in 2001 and was awarded the title of Queensland Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, Private and Corporate Sector, in 2002.

Husband and wife Rex and Meryl Packer also were each awarded an OAM in the General Division for service to the Lutheran Church of Australia.

Members at Immanuel Lutheran Church Woden Valley in the Australian Capital Territory, the Packers’ wide-ranging volunteer contributions include more than 40 years of service to the LCA New South Wales District’s Warrambui Retreat and Conference Centre, at Murrumbateman, approximately 30 kilometres from Canberra.

Mr Packer served as chair of the Warrambui Board from 1982 to 1992 and has been treasurer for most of the past decade. After lengthy service on the Board, he will retire this year. Mrs Packer served as a Board member from 2004 to 2014 and has served as the liaison between the retreat centre and Lutheran Women of New South Wales (LWNSW). She was recognised as Warrambui Legend in 2015, with Mr Packer receiving the same honour in 2016.

Mrs Packer has been the LWNSW reporter for Lutheran Women magazine since 1976 and continues in this role, besides holding leadership positions in the local women’s fellowship. She was Lutheran Women of Australia Treasurer and a national committee member from 2000 to 2003 and from 2012 to 2015 and has served as LWNSW First Vice-President and Treasurer.

As well as being involved in active service in their local congregation, including through its op shop, the Packers also have volunteered in community roles, including with the sport of calisthenics. Mrs Packer is a former treasurer of Calisthenics ACT, while Mr Packer is a former president, treasurer and executive member of the Australian Calisthenics Federation and was made a Life Member of the federation in 2000. He is a former president of Calisthenics ACT, coordinator of the national championships in 1992 and 2004, and was made a Life Member of the territory body in 1991. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.

The congratulations of the church are offered to these recipients and any other members honoured with awards.

– with reporting by Lois Grosse