Recognition on Australia Day 2026

Posted on January 26, 2026 
Filed under Australia, People, Sydney Diocese

Spotted in today’s Australia Day Honours List:

Appointed as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) –

“Mrs Jocelyn Kathleen Edna ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.

Dr Kenneth Arthur ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.”

You will remember that ten years ago, after serving in Burkina Faso since 1972, Christian medical missionaries Dr. Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists. (Previous posts here.)

Related:

How Ken Elliott survived seven years in the desert as a prisoner of Al Qaeda – ABC News, 29 August 2024.

Meeting Dr Ken and Jocelyn Elliott – Government House, Western Australia, 18 November 2024.

And, appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s honours list –

“Emeritus Professor Christopher Raymond BELLENGER
NSW
For significant service to veterinary science, to tertiary education, and to the Anglican Church of Australia.”

In addition to Professor Bellenger’s much-valued service in the Diocese of Sydney, he has had a long association with university student Christian ministry in Australia and internationally.

– Full list (PDF file).