COORDINARE’s Manager, Social Impact and Engagement, Jo Riley, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List for her service to suicide prevention advocacy.

The honour recognises Ms Riley’s longstanding commitment to supporting people experiencing emotional distress and her leadership in advocating for meaningful change across the community and health sectors. Throughout her career, she has championed approaches that prioritise connection, compassion and the inclusion of lived experience.

At COORDINARE, Ms Riley has played a key role in leading regional suicide prevention initiatives, including the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaboratives, as well as the Goulburn and Region Suicide Prevention Network. Her work has helped strengthen local partnerships and improve community responses to suicide prevention.

Ms Riley’s influence extends beyond the region, with significant contributions at both state and national levels. She has held lived experience leadership roles with the National Suicide Prevention Office and the Mental Health Commission of NSW, and has previously worked with organisations including the Black Dog Institute, Suicide Prevention Australia and ReachOut.com. Through these roles, she has helped shape policy, strategy and broader sector approaches to suicide prevention.

In acknowledging the award, COORDINARE CEO Prudence Buist said Ms Riley’s recognition reflects not only her individual impact but also the collective efforts of communities and organisations working to ensure people feel supported and less alone.

COORDINARE congratulates Ms Riley on this well-deserved honour and acknowledges her ongoing contribution to strengthening suicide prevention, community engagement and lived experience leadership across South Eastern NSW and beyond.

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