By Amit Sarwal and Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj
Dr Sadhana MAHAJANI has been awarded AM in General Divison of the Order of Australia for significant service to aged care, and to community health.
Dr Sadhana Mahajani, popularly known to many as Dr M, retired in 2011 after 38 years of working as a doctor in the Northern Territory, most recently as a geriatrician. In 2013, Dr Mahajani was awarded the Senior Australian of the Year, Northern Territory.
She worked out of Royal Darwin Hospital, in the jail as a medical officer, and in community health centres right around the Territory.
Dr Mahajani has devoted considerable energy and time to the care of the elderly, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.
On 26 January, Governor-General David John Hurley, AC, DSC, FTSE, announced 2023 Australia Day Honours and Awards for 1047 Australians. This includes awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
On this occasion, Governor-General Hurley awarded 736 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (6 AC, 47 AO, 177 AM and 506 OAM). He said:
“Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s Honours List. The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring.”
The Governor-General has prioritised ensuring the Order reflects the diversity of our community. There are 736 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia, with 48 per cent for women and 45 per cent for service to local communities. With 354 awards, this is the highest percentage of female Order of Australia recipients in an honours list since the introduction of the Australian honours system in 1975.