Philanthropist and wealthy businessman Peter Scanlon has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for fostering social cohesion and promoting multiculturalism.
Mr Scanlon, who was a top executive in John Elliott's Elders IXL in the 1980s and a successful property developer and investor, started the Scanlon Foundation in 2001.
The foundation recognises that Australia is largely a migrant nation.
It supports projects focusing on cultural diversity and provides funding for research on population and immigration.
Each March the foundation runs an event called Taste of Harmony to encourage businesses to celebrate cultural diversity.
Workers are encouraged to bring food that reflects their cultural background and share the food and their stories with colleagues.
Mr Scanlon has also been chairman of the Migration Council of Australia since 2012.
He was placed 65th on the 2015 BRW Rich List, with a $777 million fortune.
Mr Scanlon made part of his fortune in logistics and stevedoring, first with Patrick Corporation, where he was chairman until it was taken over by Toll Holdings in 2006, and then at Qube Holdings.
Mr Scanlon told BRW magazine in June 2014 that cultural diversity within his businesses had helped generate his success.
"I grew up post-war and watched all the migrants come in after World War II and was staggered by the courage it took and the way they took the chance to get a better life for their kids," Mr Scanlon told BRW.
"That's something that's never left me."
Mr Scanlon was unavailable to comment upon his Order of Australia appointment.
