(Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—When he founded a charity supporting Australia's children's hospitals, Paul Francis could not have known his family would one day be among the beneficiaries.

Mr Francis, 59, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his philanthropic efforts as chairman of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, which raises millions of dollars to buy vital medical equipment.

"In February last year my wife gave birth to twins that were premature, and the equipment, the humidicribs they were placed in … was bought by Humpty Dumpty," he said.

"So it's not just other people we are helping. It comes back to you as well.

"The charity has been going 13 years now, and if in that time we had only saved one life or reduced the pain that one child was having, the whole thing would have been worth it, and we have done that a thousand times over."

Mr Francis said his award was an honour reflecting the achievements of the foundation.

"The award, as much as I am receiving it, I sincerely believe that I'm receiving it on behalf of everybody else involved with the Humpty Dumpty Foundation," he said.

Mr Francis said there was nothing more rewarding than helping out people.

"Too often, I think, we focus on how the economy is going, the ups and downs, what the Aussie dollar is like," he said.

"Really, when times are tough, nothing is more important than the lives of those people around you or the people you don't know."

The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following appointments and awards:

ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

COMPANION (AC) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Alexander KINNAIRD AO
For service through the development of public policy in the defence procurement, infrastructure and energy sectors, and to business.

His Excellency the Honourable Peter George UNDERWOOD AO
Government House, Hobart Tas 7000
For service to the judiciary, to legal scholarship and administration, to law reform in the areas of civil and criminal procedure, and to the community of Tasmania.

Ms Carla ZAMPATTI-SPENDER AM
For service through leadership and management roles in the fashion and retail property sectors, to multicultural broadcasting, and to women as a role model and mentor.

OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Mr David William BORTHWICK PSM
For service to the development of environmental policy, particularly in relation to climate change, water allocation, emissions trading and heritage issues.

Ms Gillian Elizabeth CALVERT
For service to the community as a leading advocate in the protection of the rights and welfare of children and youth.

The Honourable Paul Henry CALVERT
For service to the Australian Parliament, and to the community of Tasmania, particularly through local government and the agricultural show movement.

Mr Peter Roland COATES
For service to the coal mining industry, particularly as a contributor to the development of low emission technologies, improved safety standards and climate change policy.

Mr David Alexander CRAWFORD
For service to business as a director of public companies, to sport, particularly through the review and restructure of national sporting bodies, and to the community through contributions to arts and educational organisations.

Mr Richard Lucas ESTENS
For service to the community through the provision of sustainable long-term employment for Indigenous Australians, to reconciliation, and to the improvement of telecommunication services in rural, regional and remote areas.

Ms Irene GLEESON
CHILDCARE Kitgum Servants
For service to international relations, particularly through sustained aid for children affected by war and HIV/AIDS in northern Uganda.

Professor Robert Michael GRAHAM
For service to medicine, particularly through stewardship of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and research in the field of molecular cardiology.

Mr Allan Grantley GYNGELL
For service to international relations through contributions to the development of public and governmental debate on foreign and security policy.

Carolyn Judith HEWSON
For service to the community through support for charitable organisations, particularly YWCA, and to business.

Dr Bruce Edward HOBBS
For service to science, particularly in the field of structural geology as a leader in the development of innovative research centres and mineral exploration technologies.

The Honourable Justice David Hargraves HODGSON
Supreme Court of New South Wales, Queens Square, Sydney NSW 2000
For service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly through the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Mr Peter Frank KING
For service to international development and humanitarian aid organisations, and to the community.

Professor Kurt LAMBECK
For service to science through the development of policy, the promotion of educational programs and as a researcher and educator in the field of geoscience.

Mrs Mari Ann LEWIS AM
For service to the visual arts as an ambassador for Australian art, through administrative roles with arts organisations in Australia and overseas and through philanthropic contributions to galleries.

Mr Eric Paul McCLINTOCK
For service to business through leadership and management roles in the areas of finance and health, to Australian-Malaysian relations, and to public policy development.

Dr Robert Alexander McINTOSH
For service to agricultural science in Australia and internationally, particularly through research in the areas of wheat genetics and rust disease and as an educator and mentor.

Mr Rodney Ian MITCHELL
For service to the international community, particularly through the establishment of the Asia Pacific Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS in Papua New Guinea, and to financial sector management and reform.

Professor Christopher John O'BRIEN AM
For continued service to medicine and to the community through advocacy and fundraising roles for the development of integrated care and clinical research facilities for people with cancer, particularly the establishment of the Lifehouse Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Professor John Hemsley PEARN AM RFD
For service to medicine, particularly in the areas of paediatrics and medical ethics, to medical history, and to the community through injury prevention and first aid programs.

Mr Gregory John POCHE
For service to the community through philanthropic contributions to medical, aged care and sporting organisations, and to the freight transport industry through the introduction of innovative business practices.

Mr Steven James ROBINSON

C/- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, R G Casey BuildingFor service to Australia's international interests through a significant and sustained contribution.

Mr Paul Charles TYRRELL
For service to the community of the Northern Territory in a range of public sector roles, through contributions to major construction and transport infrastructure projects, and to the development of economic and social policy.

Professor John Lewis WARHURST
For service to higher education, particularly in the field of political science, as an academic, author and commentator on national and international political issues, and to the community.