Alice Tay OAM says her recognition has encouraged her to continue giving to the community as much as she can.  

“I feel an obligation to do a little bit more and maybe do a few more years,” she says.  

She is director of Community Housing Canberra, member of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committees at Project Independence and Master Builders ACT, and a council member at the University of Canberra.  

Formerly, Alice was director of the Heart Foundation of Australia, The Fly Program, Hands Across Canberra and the Commonwealth Club, and the former deputy chair of ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.  

For her work and dedication, she was awarded the Medal of the Order for service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory.

Alice says she felt disbelief when she initially heard about her recognition. However, she says recognition is just as important for the people who go about their work not expecting it.  

“I think it lets the community know that there are people out there who do things without glory sometimes,” she says.  

“You’re just doing things, whether it’s giving back or whatever it is, you do it because you do it, not because you want to be recognised or awarded or anything like that.

“It’s just part of who you are.”  

After experiencing her investiture ceremony at Government House in Canberra with other recipients from the region, Alice says she is inspired and optimistic about Australia’s future.  

“I think Australia has a really bright future. It always has,” she says.  

“As long as we believe in what makes Australia a great country. When I first came to Australia a million years ago, my aunt said to me, ‘In Australia, everyone is the same. Doesn’t matter who you are’.

“I think that is something really important. That is our ethos. And I wouldn’t want to live in a society where there is them and us.”