MARINE pilot Michael Kelly says he is "in shock" after earning the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Captain Kelly was recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours for service to seafarers’ welfare and to the maritime transport industry, reflecting decades of commitment to both professional excellence and community service.
"I am very proud and honoured to have received this award, I have had a rewarding career from integrated rating to a Sydney marine pilot and have always advocated for an Australian shipping industry which is so important for our country," he told DCN.
"Each day through piloting I get to integrate with many seafarers and listen to there stories from rough weather, limited time in port, constant inspections or the lives of seafarers and their families in Ukraine."
Captain Kelly paid tribute to Sister Mary Leahy of Stella Maris for her mentoring work.
"She has been a blessing and I would like to thank all of my colleagues from pilots, tug masters, linesman and the wharfies that make coming to Sydney for seafarers there favourite port," he said.
In a social media post, the Australian Marine Pilots Institute said Captain Kelly had made “an outstanding contribution to seafarer welfare through his long-standing volunteer roles with Stella Maris and the Mission to Seafarers.
“He has also played a vital role in mentoring and supporting young people entering the maritime profession,” AMPI stated.
“This national honour is richly deserved and reflects the very best of our profession.”
Captain Kelly previously earned the Seafarers Welfare title at the DCN 2025 Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards. This was for a program providing Opal cards to seafarers at the AMPOL facility at Kurnell, Sydney, allowing them to travel to the CBD with minimal expense.
According to the DCN judges, "thanks to Michael Kelly hundreds of seafarers have now experienced Sydney’s Opera House, city streets and local shopping centres providing critical mental health benefits”.