Former Treasurer Peter Costello heads the list of Australian Anglicans named in the Australia Day honours list.

Mr Costello, who attends an Anglican Church in Melbourne, was given the highest honour, Companion of the Order of Australia , for his public service.

Two well-known Sydney Anglicans were also given awards, recognising service in church and community.

North Shore resident, Geoffrey Kells, was named as a Member of the Order of Australia, for service to international relations through Opportunity International China, and to aged care, charitable and church organisations.

Mr Kells is a former Chairman of Anglican Retirement Villages and was a former director of the Bible Society of NSW.

He also served at one time as Chairman of Anglican Youthworks and also was involved in the work of the Crusader Union.

MU stalwart recognised

Honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia was Mrs Joyce Hayman, for her service to the community through the Mother’s Union.

Mrs Hayman, who has just turned 88, was known for her work in a variety of Anglican churches in New South Wales and beyond, along with her husband, the late Rev Theo Hayman.

She was the coordinator of the MU Social Responsibility Committee, from 1972-1980 and remained an active volunteer until 2007.

The OAM citation specifically mentioned the fact that Mrs Hayman initiated and coordinated the "Tea and Sympathy' program, now known as the "Courts Program' based at the Children's and Juvenile Courts in Sydney and Wollongong.

Other Anglicans receiving the OAM included lay reader William Humphreys of Kiama , Mrs Alice Oppen of Hunters Hill and Walter Williamson, of Maroubra.

Senior Australian

Aside from the official honours list, Professor Ron McCallum was named the 2011 Senior Australian of the Year.

The 62-year-old Sydney academic was the first totally blind person to be granted a full professorship at an Australian university.