ABC Friends is delighted that Margaret Reynolds has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Margaret received the award for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to social justice, gender equality and Indigenous rights, to local government, and to the community.

As the inaugural President of ABC Friends, Margaret steered the organisation through its formation as a national organisation and guided its development as a respected advocate for the ABC.

Margaret has had a long and distinguished career in public life. She was elected as a Senator for Queensland from 1982 to 1999 during which time she held two ministerial appointments: Minister for Local Government (1987-1990) and  Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women, 1988-1990. Margaret was also active on many parliamentary committees.

Post politics, Margaret served on the governing bodies of a number of not-for-profit organisations, including the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Chair of the Commonwealth Human Rights International Advisory Committee and President of the United Nations Association of Australia. She is the author of two books: The Last Bastion and Living Politics.

Margaret is currently the Australian National President  of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Congratulations Margaret from all your ABC friends!