Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s birthday honours for services to community health.
In a statement on its website, the drug policy think tank said: “Today we’re celebrating a very special honour for our CEO, John Ryan, or, as the King’s Birthday Honours list has revealed – Daniel John Ryan – our resident international man of mystery!”
Ryan’s recognition follows a 25-year career working in what Penington called “one of Australia’s most challenging and contested policy areas”.
“He has consistently argued for evidence, compassion and common sense, often when doing so wasn’t easy, popular or politically convenient,” the institute said.
“Those who know John know he’ll be uncomfortable with the attention – he’d almost certainly prefer we were talking about the issues rather than talking about him. We suspect many people across public health, community services and the sector more broadly, would disagree.
“Through his leadership of Penington Institute and the many organisations, committees and initiatives he has helped shape, John has worked to improve health outcomes, minimise harm and encourage more informed public conversations about drugs and the people affected by them.”
It added that not only do Ryan’s achievements stand out but also the manner in which he achieved them, “with integrity, curiosity, generosity and an unwavering belief that good policy starts with good evidence and a genuine concern for people”.
“This recognition is thoroughly deserved. We are enormously proud of John and grateful for the leadership he continues to provide.”