Lutherans honoured in Australia Day list 2026

LCA members Ray Ebert, Keith Campbell, Margaret Mickan and Rex Liebelt have been recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List for their service to the church, their communities and the wider Australian public.

Paul Raymond ‘Ray’ Ebert has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to rowing and to the Lutheran Church, particularly through Living Faith Lutheran School at Murrumba Downs in Queensland.

Ray has been involved in rowing for 57 years, including 12 years as an Australian team manager, spanning the Beijing, London and Rio Olympic Games. ‘I am truly humbled by this recognition,’ he said. ‘I thank my wife, Val, and our extended family for their support over my life’s journey in sport and the church.’

Within the Lutheran Church, Ray has served on the Lutheran Education Queensland Council, the District Church Board and in various roles at Living Faith Lutheran Church and former Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Dayboro. He has also been a longstanding member and now chair of the Living Faith Lutheran Primary School Council.

He said his faith had guided him through demanding moments in elite sport. ‘My faith journey certainly sustained me in some tricky situations in rowing when the manager’s handbook needed to be read in conjunction with my Bible,’ he said.

Now in his early seventies, Ray remains committed to serving the school and church where he can. ‘I am not sure how much longer I can keep going, but at the moment, every day is exciting, and we look forward to going forward,’ he said.

Keith Campbell, a long-time member of St John’s Lutheran Church Kingaroy, Queensland, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to local government and the South Burnett community.

Keith’s commitment to service began in the church, where he took on youth and executive roles from his late teens. Over the decades, he has served the South Burnett Lutheran Parish as secretary and chairman and has been a lay reader for close to 50 years. ‘There has scarcely been a time when I have not been involved at the executive level of a parish or congregation,’ he said.

Keith’s OAM also recognises more than two decades of local government service. He served 21 years across the former Kingaroy Shire Council and the South Burnett Regional Council, including eight years as deputy mayor and a term as mayor from 2016 to 2020. During this time, he strongly advocated for the region’s agricultural sector and supported major community projects, including early work on the Kingaroy Transformation Project.

His council service followed a 40-year career with Bean Growers Australia, where he held positions ranging from clerk to chief executive. Beyond council, Keith has contributed to a wide range of community organisations, including hospital boards, school and health committees, community foundations and consultative groups, often in leadership or chairing roles.

He credits his faith as the foundation of his leadership. ‘Jesus is the leader in my life,’ he said. ‘Some roles have required deep prayerful consideration and discussion with God. God is my keeper and walks ahead of me.’

Margaret Mickan, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church Pasadena in South Australia, has been awarded an OAM for her service to Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and the Kimberley in Western Australia.

Margaret was closely involved with Lutheran Bible Translators and played a significant role in translating the Kriol Bible, a project she describes as deeply collaborative.

‘I feel very honoured to receive this award,’ she said. ‘However, that is only one side of the story. I’m so thankful for the many people who made it possible to complete the translation of the Kriol Bible.’

Margaret emphasised that Indigenous Kriol speakers were central to the project. ‘They took on the responsibility and ownership of the translation process and were keen to study translation principles as they translated the Old Testament,’ she said. ‘This team worked from go to whoa – translating, checking and having input into the design and layout of the Bible itself.’

The project culminated in the dedication of the Kriol Holi Baibul in Katherine in 2007, an event Margaret remembers with great joy. ‘It was an amazing team effort,’ she said. ‘Today, I dedicate this award to the Kriol team, praising and thanking God for his enabling in this endeavour.’

Margaret’s work also included short training visits to Papua New Guinea, supporting both her own development and that of several Indigenous translators. Margaret has been involved in the congregational life of Trinity Lutheran Church Pasadena since 2018.

Rex Liebelt, a member of Strathalbyn Lutheran Church in South Australia, has received an OAM for his service to the agricultural show sector.

Rex has been involved in South Australian country shows since 1979, entering his first exhibit at the age of 16. He is currently president of the Strathalbyn Show and has dedicated decades to shows, serving in roles ranging from steward and convenor to secretary, committee member and judge.

His contribution has been recognised through multiple life memberships, including with regional show associations and the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, where he also served on the general committee and poultry council.

‘I am feeling humbled and honoured,’ he said. ‘It is nice to be acknowledged, not that I have been looking for the acknowledgement. I just do what I do because I enjoy country shows.’

For Rex, the appeal lies in the people and the sense of community. ‘It’s really great to see communities get together,’ he said. ‘Everyone becomes your friends and like family.’

Alongside his show involvement, Rex has been an active member of Strathalbyn Lutheran Church since 1997. Throughout the years, he has served in various roles, including elder, youth leader, small-group leader and men’s shed group helper. He continues to encourage others to get involved in both church and community life.

The church warmly congratulates these recipients and any other members recognised in this year’s honours.