After a long and distinguished career including time as a teacher, university lecturer, Member of Parliament and the community services sector, Uniting Vic.Tas CEO Bronwyn Pike has been recognised in the national Honours List announced on January 26.
Ms Pike was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to social welfare and not-for-profit organisations, and to the Parliament of Victoria”.
Elected to the Victorian Parliament in 1999, Ms Pike was the state’s Health Minister between 2002 and 2007 and Minister for Housing between 1999 and 2002, Minister for Community Services in 2002 and Minister for Education between 2007 and 2010.
In more recent years, Ms Pike has been CEO of Uniting Vic.Tas, one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit community services organisations since 2019 following three years as the Board Chair.
Ms Pike said she was humbled to be one of the thousands of Australians recognised in this year’s Honours List.
“In accepting this honour, I also recognise that January 26 is not a day of celebration for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Uniting Vic.Tas stands in solidarity in recognising the injustices, dispossession and trauma that began on this date,” Ms Pike said.
“We also affirm our commitment to find a date for our National Day which unites all Australians.”
“There are many incredible people on this year’s list, people who have devoted their lives to others and to their communities, so it’s humbling be named alongside them.
“It’s a surprise, but a huge honour to be recognised in this way.”
Ms Pike was the Labor Member for Melbourne for 13 years between 1999 and 2012 and has devoted more than 33 years of her life to the community services sector.
Prior to Parliament, Ms Pike taught humanities at secondary schools in Adelaide and Darwin during the 1970s and 1980s.
Along with her work at Uniting Vic.Tas, Ms Pike has previously served as Board Chair at Western Health, Chairperson of the Victorian Council of Social Services and also the South Australian Urban Renewal Authority.
