Tara Murray
Retired doctor Selvanayagam Selvendra, chaplin Paul Hammat and Vietnam veteran Martin Lowe have been awarded medals of the Order of Australia as part of this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Dr Selvendra, who retired after more than 59 years of service, was recognised for his contribution to medicine. He had a practice in Sunshine for more than 40 years.
He was named Brimbank citizen of the year in 2020.
Dr Selvendra said he was surprised to be awarded a medal of the Order of Australia.
“I’m very, very happy and I thank the Australian government who gave me the honour,” he said.
Dr Selvendra moved to Australia in 1974. He said he had enjoyed his work and that treating his patients was the most important thing for him.
“When I retired I had about 55-60 patients sent me cards wishing me a happy retirement. It was really good.“
Mr Lowe, who is known as Steve, was recognised for his service to veterans.
He served in the army for 26 years, including in Vietnam where he met his wife, Tuyet.
Since then, Mr Lowe has worked closely with the Vietnamese community, including co-founding the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia – Victorian Branch’s education team
“When I was first advised of my nomination, I was shocked, but thought that this does not necessarily mean I’ll get it,” he said.
“But when I received the confirmation email I was overwhelmed. Having to keep it a secret from my family was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
“To receive this honour continues to overwhelm me each time I think of it.”
Mr Lowe was a co-designer and committee member of the Victorian State Vietnam War Memorial in Dandenong and committee member of the Vietnam War Memorial & Commemorative Garden in Sunshine.
“All of what I do, with my Vietnamese community, I do because I feel that I was not able to be part of them winning their freedom in their own country,“ he said.
“I feel that whatever I can do to help individuals or groups in our community, is a way in which I want to contribute to their enjoyment of the freedoms that we are lucky to have here in Australia.
“I have done most of this with the support of my wife and my family.”
Mr Hammat said he was completely shocked by the honour. He was recognised for his service to the community through pastoral care.
“It is quite an honour,” he said. “It’s a bit unexpected and I’m a bit shocked.
“It is great that someone in my field is getting recognised. I’m still trying to get my head around it.”
Mr Hammat, who has lived in Keilor for the last five years, is the pastoral and spiritual care department co-ordinator at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
He was also president of Spiritual Care Australia for five years and was a founding board member.
He said his role was about providing some sort of support for anyone who needs it, in an inclusive way.
