Larrikin priest, the late Fr Bob Maguire, was promoted in the Australia Day Honours (Jan. 26).

The late Rev. Robert John Maguire AM RFD was promoted to AO in the Australia Day Honours, in recognition of his distinguished service to the community, particularly through social welfare initiatives and organisations.
Fr Bob had his eponymous Foundation for 20 years, preceded by Open Family Australia from 1981-2006. He was also Founder of the Emerald Hill Mission.
Fr Bob died in April 2023, aged 88. He served as Parish Priest at South Melbourne from 1973 to 2012. Prior to that he was Lt. Col. in the Army Reserve of which he had good memories. He assisted at Ivanhoe (Mary Immaculate Church) where he is locally remembered as a lively junior basketball coach.
Fr Bob’s associate, Paul Brophy of East Melbourne, Foundation Chair since 2018, former Board Member, was recognised with an OAM for service to aged welfare, and to the community.
A full list of honours, in each Melbourne Observer/Local Paper appears in our first edition for the year (Wed., Fbe. 7).