St John of God Health Care congratulates James McMahon DSC DSM on Australia Day Honours

28 Jan 2022

Mr McMahon, who has been a member of the St John of God Health Care Board since July 2017, said he was pleased and honoured to receive the recognition.

“I’m fortunate to be in a position to be able to advocate and work for the benefit of those Australians who choose to serve their country through military service and to raise awareness of some of the issues, including mental health issues, which returning service men and women may face.

Mr McMahon has previously been recognised with Western Australia’s highest honour, Western Australian of the Year, which he received in 2019.

Mr McMahon spent 24 years’ in the Australian Defence Force, including holding roles as Commanding Officer of the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) and SAS Squadron Commander, during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal.

He has worked in both the public and private sectors, including as the Commissioner for the Department of Corrective Services in Western Australia and advising organisations on strategy, operations, risk, governance and management.

He is currently an ambassador for The Fathering Project, which provides research and education programs that support and inspire fathers.

St John of God Health Care Chair Mrs Kerry Sanderson AC CVO congratulated Mr McMahon on behalf of St John of God Health Care.

“We are very fortunate to have James as a Board member.  He epitomises the values of courage, compassion and selflessness that are so integral to health care workers, including our own caregivers and which have been so evident particularly throughout this time of COVID.

“He is a very worthy recipient of this honour and we are delighted to see him recognised.”