A LEADER in the disability sector has been recognised by being appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Iain Edwards, who is operations director of community and ambulatory services at Bayside Health Peninsula, was named on the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List. He was awarded the honour for his work with disability services, public health, and the not-for-profit sector.
Edwards, who has also been a senior leader with Guide Dogs Victoria for more than a decade, said his experiences living with blindness helped shape his passion for his work. “Utilising my own lived experience as an individual who is blind has really influenced the way I provide leadership, particularly values around equity and supporting people to be the best that they can be – and that’s been a very strong driver for me in my leadership,” Edwards said.
After receiving the recognition, Edwards said “I feel very honoured and privileged to be recognised under the Order of Australia. There are a lot of people who do a lot of great things, and it’s great to be acknowledged for my contributions both in the health sector and the disability sector.”
“I’m really passionate about equity, and ensuring some of our most vulnerable members of our community have access to either good healthcare or good disability supports,” Edwards said. “A lot of my work has been very much driven around building those capabilities and cultures and systems within workplaces and communities to enable people to live the life of their choice.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 16 June 2026