27 January 2026
ELACCA is proud to congratulate our Chief Executive Officer, Ms Anne Hollondson her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List.
Ms Hollonds’ award is in recognition of her distinguished service to family, children and community safety, wellbeing and human rights, and to policy, research and practice, and reflects her decades‑long commitment to improving the lives of children, families and communities across Australia.
ELACCA co-chairs Ms Kay Turner and Mr Pejman Okhovat said the honour is a fitting acknowledgement of Ms Hollonds’ contribution to public policy and practice:
“On behalf of the ELACCA Board and team, we extend our warmest congratulations to Ms Hollonds on this well‑deserved achievement.”
“This award recognises Ms Hollonds’ commitment to elevating the voices and experiences of children, especially children in vulnerable circumstances, and advocating for the safety, rights and wellbeing of children to be a national priority in Australia.”
In accepting the honour, Ms Hollonds emphasised the importance of keeping children at the heart of national reform: “This award is a recognition of the importance of evidence-based reform to improve outcomes for children living with disadvantage and discrimination. When we make children’s safety, rights and wellbeing our national priority, we build stronger families and communities to benefit everyone. I am grateful to work alongside so many dedicated people who share this commitment.
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Contact:
Anne Hollonds, CEO
M: 0411 382 692
Early Learning and Care Council of Australia
PO Box 497
Roseville NSW 2069
About us:
Our 17 CEO members include some of the largest early learning providers in the country, representing both not-for-profit and for-profit services.
ELACCA members operate 2,019 long day care services, 298 preschool/kindergarten services and 70 OSHC services, covering every state and territory. They offer one-quarter of all the long day care places in Australia. Together, our members serve 356,339 children and their families, and employ more than 57,382 staff.
As well as promoting the value of quality early learning and the need for greater public investment, ELACCA advocates for the right of all children to access quality early learning and care, particularly children facing disadvantage. We do this by drawing on the knowledge and practical experience of our members and representing their views to decision makers in government, the media and the public.