Stephen O’Doherty gets an OAM

Christian Schools lobbyist, Frontbencher in a NSW Coalition Government, radio host and principal conductor of the Golden Kangaroos Hornsby Concert Band – it can be hard to know what was most pertinent in his award of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

All of them are listed under the citation for his OAM: “For service to the community through a range of organisations.”

“It’s an incredible honour to have been nominated and accepted for this award,” Stephen told Hope Media. He cites as his “mission verse” Ephesians 4:1 “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

“I’ve approached everything I’ve been asked to do with that in mind and as an act of service,” he told Hope.

“I didn’t know why God called me into Parliament, but I went in with an attitude of service, to be the best backbencher I could be.”

His service in just one of these fields might have got him on the list:

In the NSW Parliament:

• Shadow Treasurer, 2000-2001.
• Shadow Minister for Community Services and Disability Services, 1999-2000.
• Shadow Minister for Education and Training, 1995-1999.

Christian organisations:

• Inaugural CEO of Christian Schools Australia
• Hope Media Chair, 2005-2023.
• Chair, Family Radio Limited, since 2016.
• Chair, Sunshine Coast Christian Broadcasters Limited, 2019-2024.
• Christian Media and Arts Australia: Director since 2009

Media:

• Two long stints at 2GB, most remembered for the Sundown Rundown drive show
• National Affairs Reporter, The Walsh Report, Network Ten, 1990-1991.
• NSW State Political Reporter, 7:30 Report, ABC, 1989.

Community Arts:

• Golden Kangaroos Hornsby Concert Band Musical Director and Principal Conductor since 2009.
• Patron, Studio ARTES (Northside), since 2000.

It’s exhausting to think of all that Stephen O’Doherty has done! We’ve chosen to leave you with a picture of what he has done the longest of the list of activities on his OAM citations, a picture of him conducting the golden Kangaroos. (credit – the band website)