DEFGLIS founder Warrant Officer Stuart O'Brien was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for long standing meritorious services to the Navy.
O'Brien was announced as the recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in the Military Division in the Australia Day 2016 honours list.
His citation reads:
For meritorious services as a Maritime Logistics Personnel Sailor in the field of personnel services and as the founder of the Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service.
Warrant Officer O'Brien as the Senior Personnel Manager at HMAS Kuttabul has positively impacted the lives and welfare of over five thousand Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.
As founder and chairperson of the Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service, Warrant Officer O'Brien has equally enhanced the lives and careers of these members and their families and helped foster a culture of inclusion and respect within Defence.
His professionalism and leadership are in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force.
O'Brien has served in the Royal Australian Navy for 26 years and has served on three operational deployments to the Middle East.
Pictured: Warrant Officer Stuart O'Brien and Senator Chris Black (WA) during the Defence Parliamentary Exchange Program in 2015. Image by Department of Defence
