Two distinguished Australians have been appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, recognised for their significant contributions to Catholic education, the Catholic Church, law, Indigenous support, and sports administration.
Mr Wayne Bull AM has been honoured for his outstanding service to Catholic education and to Indigenous education support. As the Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA), Mr Bull has spent more than four decades shaping the future of Catholic schooling in the state.
Beginning his teaching journey at Mercedes College in 1979, Mr Bull has held leadership roles at several prominent schools, including St Brigid’s College in Lesmurdie, Lumen Christi College, and La Salle College. For the past six years, he has served as both Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director of CEWA, overseeing a system of around 160 schools and more than 83,000 students across Western Australia.
Mr Bull’s appointment comes just weeks before his retirement, scheduled for 4 July, marking a fitting conclusion to a career dedicated to educational excellence and equity, particularly in supporting Indigenous students.
Mr John Anthony McCarthy AM has been recognised for his significant service to the Catholic Church in Australia, the legal profession, and sports administration.
Admitted as a solicitor in 1972 and a barrister in 1976, Mr McCarthy was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1988. He has had a long-standing involvement in legal matters concerning Indigenous Australian organisations, education, and sport, and has represented Catholic bishops, agencies, and institutions in various significant cases.
Beyond the courtroom, Mr McCarthy served as Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See from 2012 to 2016. During this time, he was instrumental in founding the St Peter’s Cricket Club in 2013 and the Vatican Cricket Team a year later—initiatives aimed at building interfaith and diplomatic bridges through sport.
As Chair of the Sydney Archdiocesan Anti-Slavery Taskforce, he was instrumental in establishing the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN), a collaborative effort among Catholic entities to address modern slavery risks. Through these initiatives, McCarthy has significantly advanced the Church’s commitment to eradicating modern slavery, positioning Australia as a global leader in this vital cause.
His legal acumen and commitment to service have made a profound impact across multiple sectors of Australian society, particularly within the Catholic community.
Photos: Top L-R Wayne Bull AM, John McCarthy AM