John Hollis, 87, honored with Order of Australia Medal for decades of community service, including championing Bathurst’s rail improvements.

John Hollis, a Bathurst resident since 1977, has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for his decades of community service, particularly his advocacy that led to the launch of the Bathurst Bullet rail service in 2012 and the expansion to a second daily train in 2019. At age 87, he continues pushing for improved rail connectivity. He has also held leadership roles in local schools, churches, and senior citizen groups.