MacKillop Family Services is proud to announce that Chair of the Board, Charles Reis, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 Australian Honours.
“Charles was recognised for his service to the community in a range of roles and organisations, and at MacKillop we are very fortunate to have benefitted from his leadership, skills and values over the two years he has served as Chair,” said CEO Dr Robyn Miller, who was herself appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 Australian Honours.
Another appointee to OAM this year was previous MacKillop Board Chair, Brian Keane, who was at the helm for six years through a time of enormous growth in the organisation. Mr Reis and Mr Keane join a distinguished group of Australians celebrated for their outstanding contributions to society.
Educated by the Jesuits at Xavier College, Mr Reis chairs three Catholic community organisations that deal with family trauma, women in need of support, and people with disabilities. The charities include MacKillop Family Services (incorporating McAuley Community Services for Women), Saltbush Balnarring Beach, a respite sanctuary established by the Presentation Sisters, and Mercy Connect in rural NSW.
He points to an uncle as his inspiration. “My late uncle, Fr Conrad Reis, was the parish priest at Sacred Heart in St Albans,” he says. “His work with refugees arriving in Australia after the war was a significant inspiration. I learnt from him that every one of us has the ability to make a difference in the world, no matter how small it may seem in the face of everything else.”
Mr Reis is also Chair of Mercy Community Services Australia and has held executive leadership positions in listed public companies, government organisations and the not-for-profit sector. Congratulating Mr Reis, Dr Miller added, “I am delighted that Charles’ generous leadership and community support has been recognised and celebrated with this honour.” Ends Contact the Media team:
Angela Mallon, Media & Communications Team Lead M: 0438 076 313 E: angela.mallon@mackillop.org.au
Suzanne Schokman, Media & Communications Advisor (NSW) M: 0488 777 497 E: suzanne.schokman@mackillop.org.au
About: MacKillop Family Services is a national child and family welfare organisation with extensive experience delivering therapeutic and trauma-informed services. We operate residential care, foster care, family support, disability support, youth homelessness and education programs across NSW, VIC, WA, the ACT and the NT.
Bio: Charles Reis OAM has held executive leadership positions in listed public companies, government organisations and the not-for-profit sector. He has worked in senior leadership roles leading teams focused on global strategy development, business performance and service delivery. He is Co-Chair and Company Secretary of the Saltbush Family Centre (Kildare Ministries), supporting families with children with disabilities, women escaping domestic violence and disadvantaged families.
Mr Reis recently Chaired the successful Save Flinders Pier environmental campaign. He is a Committee Member of the Mornington Peninsula Coastal Advisory Group; and member of Bayside Council's Advisory Committee for the Billilla mansion and parklands in Brighton.
