When Dr Imad Berro’s name appeared in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List, the citation was brief but deeply meaningful: he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the Arabic community of New South Wales.

Behind that short line is a much larger story.

Dr Berro’s recognition is not the result of one role, one event, or one organisation. It is the outcome of decades of service across medicine, microbiology, multicultural affairs, Lebanese-Australian community life, public education, humanitarian causes and cultural leadership. His journey stretches from laboratories and hospitals in Lebanon to community organisations, public forums and multicultural advocacy in Australia.

At the heart of that journey is a clear and consistent theme: Dr Berro has used his knowledge, networks and leadership to serve others.

A scientist with a public purpose

Long before his OAM recognition, Dr Berro built a professional career grounded in science and public health. Trained in applied medical microbiology and immunology, he brought technical expertise to areas that directly affect human wellbeing, including infectious diseases, water quality, laboratory analysis and public health systems.

In Lebanon, his professional record included senior laboratory and public health roles. He served as Director of the Infectious Diseases Laboratory at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon from 1986 to 1994, a period that required both technical skill and public responsibility. He was also associated with medical laboratory leadership at Al-Barbeer Hospital and Middle East Hospital, and held academic roles as a former Associate Professor at St Joseph’s University Beirut and the Arab University of Beirut.

These were not merely professional titles. They positioned him at the intersection of science, health and public service during years when communities needed reliable medical knowledge and strong public institutions.

After moving into the Australian context, Dr Berro continued working in microbiology and analysis. His experience included microbiologist and analyst roles with AWT-Ensight Sydney Water Board and the Prospect Water Treatment Pilot Plant. This work connected his scientific background to one of the most important foundations of public health: safe water.

His professional contribution has also been recognised through his membership of scientific and medical bodies, including the Australian Society for Microbiology and the management committee of the Australian Lebanese Medical Association. He is also recorded as a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.

What stands out in Dr Berro’s career is that science was never separated from service. His professional knowledge became part of his public contribution.

A trusted voice in community education

Dr Berro’s public health work has extended beyond laboratories and institutions. He has also taken scientific knowledge into the public sphere, especially through Arabic-language media and community education.

In SBS Arabic interviews, he has spoken on topics such as Listeria infection and the safety of drinking tap water in Australia. These may seem like simple everyday topics, but they are important forms of public health education, especially for migrant communities navigating a new country, new systems and sometimes unfamiliar health regulations.

By explaining risks, safety measures and public health standards in Arabic, Dr Berro helped make technical knowledge more accessible. This type of work is often quiet, but its value is significant. It builds confidence, reduces misinformation and gives communities the tools to make safer decisions.

His public education has not been limited to health. In 2019, he delivered a Sydney lecture on the Human Fraternity Document, exploring the significance of the statement signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb. This reflected another part of his public identity: a commitment to dialogue, coexistence and mutual respect.

Through these activities, Dr Berro positioned himself as more than a scientist. He became a communicator, educator and bridge-builder.

Leadership in the Arabic and Lebanese communities

The official honours material highlights Dr Berro’s long involvement in multicultural and Arabic community affairs. His service includes leadership with Arab Council Australia, the Cultural Forum Sydney, and the Australian Arab Cultural Centre.

These organisations play an important role in helping Arab Australians maintain cultural identity while participating fully in Australian civic life. They also provide platforms for advocacy, cultural expression, social connection and public engagement.

Dr Berro’s leadership has contributed to that broader mission. His work has helped strengthen the visibility of Arabic-speaking communities in New South Wales and has supported the idea that multiculturalism is not simply about preserving heritage, but also about active participation, responsibility and contribution.

His Lebanese heritage has also remained central to his public life. Over the years, he has been recognised for efforts to strengthen relations between Australia and Lebanon, including receiving a Lebanese Presidential Award in 2018 and a Lebanese Foreign Ministry Award in 2019 for his commitment and contribution to his homeland.

These honours point to the dual nature of his service. Dr Berro has contributed to Australia while maintaining a strong connection to Lebanon and the wider Arab world. In doing so, he reflects the experience of many migrant community leaders who serve as bridges between countries, cultures and generations.

Humanitarian and social service

Dr Berro’s record also includes humanitarian and social welfare work. He has been associated with Doctors Without Borders, and is recorded as the founder of the Beirut Civil Protection Centre and Al-Huda Youth Social Welfare Institution.

These details are important because they show that his service was never confined to professional or ceremonial leadership. It also extended to practical community support, youth welfare and emergency-oriented civic action.

Founding a civil protection centre and a youth social welfare institution speaks to a deeper sense of responsibility. These are not symbolic roles. They require initiative, organisation and the ability to respond to real social needs.

In Australia, Dr Berro has continued to be recognised by community organisations for his medical, humanitarian and social contribution. In 2021, during a period heavily shaped by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis in Lebanon, he was among those honoured by the Marada Movement in Australia for his efforts and role in promoting the community at medical, humanitarian and social levels.

This recognition reflects the way his different areas of expertise came together during difficult times: health knowledge, community trust, cultural leadership and humanitarian concern.

Current activities and continuing influence

Dr Berro’s OAM does not mark the end of his public service. It recognises a long record while he remains active in community affairs.

In 2026, he was announced as Secretary-General of the World Lebanese Cultural Union in Australia and Oceania, as part of a renewed organisational phase for the union. This role places him within a leadership team focused on revitalising the WLCU’s presence, strengthening cultural and social programs, supporting youth outreach, preserving Lebanese identity and encouraging positive integration within Australian society.

His current work also includes engagement with public officials and advocacy around Lebanon-related humanitarian concerns. In May 2026, Dr Berro was part of a WLCU delegation that visited Federal Minister Tony Burke’s Sydney office to acknowledge Australia’s humanitarian aid to Lebanon. The meeting reflected the ongoing role of Lebanese-Australian organisations in maintaining dialogue with government and advocating for communities affected by crisis.

This current activity is consistent with Dr Berro’s broader record. He continues to work where community, culture, humanitarian concern and public representation meet.

Why the OAM matters

The Medal of the Order of Australia is one of the nation’s most respected forms of recognition. In Dr Berro’s case, the honour acknowledges service to the Arabic community of New South Wales, but the reasons behind that recognition are layered.

First, it recognises sustained community leadership. Dr Berro has contributed through organisations that represent, support and connect Arabic-speaking communities, particularly Lebanese Australians.

Second, it recognises the use of professional expertise for public good. His background in microbiology, infectious diseases, water quality and public health has allowed him to serve communities with knowledge that is practical, trusted and relevant.

Third, it recognises cultural bridge-building. Through lectures, forums, media contributions and organisational leadership, he has helped promote understanding, dialogue and participation across cultures.

Fourth, it recognises humanitarian commitment. His service has included social welfare, civil protection, public health education and support for communities affected by crisis.

Finally, it recognises a lifetime of contribution across two worlds: Lebanon and Australia. Dr Berro’s work has strengthened community life in New South Wales while also maintaining meaningful ties with Lebanon and the global Lebanese diaspora.

A legacy of quiet institution-building

Some public figures are known for a single defining achievement. Dr Imad Berro’s story is different. His recognition comes from accumulated service: years of work, many institutions, countless meetings, lectures, interviews, committees, initiatives and community efforts.

His impact has been built through consistency.

He has been a scientist, educator, organiser, cultural advocate, humanitarian contributor and community leader. He has worked in health, culture, public dialogue and diaspora engagement. He has helped preserve heritage while supporting integration. He has contributed to public wellbeing while also strengthening community identity.

That is why his OAM is significant.

It is not only a personal honour. It is also a moment of recognition for the Arabic and Lebanese communities of New South Wales, whose leaders have often worked quietly over many years to build bridges, support families, preserve culture and contribute to Australian society.

Dr Imad Berro OAM stands among those leaders. His life’s work shows that service is not measured only by visibility, but by endurance, trust and the lasting institutions one helps build.