Four prominent nurses and midwives from NSW have been formally recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List, securing national accolades for their lifetime dedication to clinical excellence, community safety, and regional healthcare advocacy.  

The appointments to the Order of Australia serve as a critical acknowledgment of the industrial and professional weight carried by frontline clinicians. This year’s recipients represent the backbone of the state’s healthcare system, spanning expert leadership in infection control, psychiatric care, maternal health, and regional education.  

Among those appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) is Dr Kathy Dempsey, whose extensive career has shaped the state’s infection prevention and control frameworks. Her career has taken her across Clinical Excellence Commission, NSW Health, the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control, the Australian College of Nursing, and the World Health Organisation. As a highly regarded clinical leader, Dr Dempsey’s work has been fundamental in safeguarding healthcare environments, ensuring both staff safety and patient outcomes remain uncompromised during complex public health challenges.  

Similarly honored with a AM is Mary Hoodless, recognised for her profound contributions to rural health delivery and nursing education. Ms Hoodless has spent decades advocating for the resources and training models required to sustain a viable, skilled nursing workforce outside metropolitan centres, addressing critical regional shortages.  

Two exemplary clinicians were also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their enduring grassroots impact. 

Cootamundra’s Maureen Simpfendorfer was recognised for her sustained excellence in midwifery and nursing care, in a career spanning over six decades. Her career has been marked by a fierce commitment to maternal health and the professional mentoring of the next generation of regional midwives. Simpfendorfer was a former president of her workplace union branch.  

Margaret Small received her OAM following a distinguished nursing career spanning more than five decades. Small’s enduring professional service across Australia, New Zealand and the UK has been matched by her extensive work as a community volunteer at the Mosman Rowing Club. 

Governor-General Sam Mostyn offered her congratulations to Order of Australia honorees. 

“In our communities, in workplace and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia,” the Governor-General said in her congratulatory message.  

“The work of our award recipients, and the contributions of the thousands of Australians who have been recognised throughout the history of our honours system, is something we can take great pride in celebrating.”