Queensland Health Delegate Palanichamy O Thevar OAM was recently awarded with an Order of Australia medal at the 2026 Australia Day Honours for his years of service to the Queensland community. We're celebrating Palani's achievement and recognising the incredible contribution he's made to his community and to his union. As a social worker in Queensland Health specialising in mental health and disability, Palani has been a proud Together member for almost twenty years and the encouragement and support he provides his colleagues to join and stand up for their rights and conditions are second-to-none. Palani has also previously worked in Child Safety as a Support Officer, highlighting his commitment to the Queensland community through his extensive career as a public servant. Palani's advocacy and commitment to his communities is part of who he is with roles in Queensland Community Alliance, Vice President of United Nations Association of Australia (Qld), Advisor and past President of the Federation of Indian Communities of Qld Inc. (FICQ) and past President of Tamil Association of Qld and Brisbane Tamil Association Inc are among some of the roles Palani has volunteered his time for in service of his community. Palani has also recently taken up a role as Lecturer in Social Work to pass on his wisdom and experience to the next generation of social workers. As a social worker, he also developed an additional interest in bringing together various services across the disability, mental health, and aged care sectors. He initiated the South West Brisbane Disability Network meetings, which attracted over 400 organisational members who have participated regularly with little or no resources invested about 10 years. This initiative also supported the transition from state-based disability services to the NDIS. During natural disasters, he contributed and participated with Queensland Government community recovery efforts both locally and in Far North Queensland. His work also extended to the Management Committee at the Inala PCYC for several years. As a member, Palani effectively worked with the amalgamation of the Inala Neighbourhood Centre and the South West Community Legal Service. His contributions helped stabilise the South West Brisbane and Ipswich communities. Today, the Inala Hub - community and Legal service is a well-established service supporting the local community. Our union is privileged and lucky to count Palani as a delegate whose workplace advocacy and activist work has made our union stronger and contributed to building better workplaces in Queensland Health for all staff to enjoy and communities members to benefit from. Congratulations Palani on your Order of Australia Medal!
