Rebecca Davies with Archbishop Anthony Fisher and children Alex and Emily. PHOTO: Alphonsus Fok

Member of the Order of Malta, Rebecca Davies has been honoured by Pope Francis for her service to the people of NSW and the country and her commitment to the Church.

Ms Davies was made a Dame Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great for her service through not-for-profit organisations, including as a director of Catholic Healthcare and a board member of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and the National Heart Foundation.

She accepted her honour at a ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral House on 8 November in the presence of family members and friends.

Ms Davies said that when she received notice of her award she thought it was a mistake. “My role has been very significantly in governance rather than actual hands on doing and I’d really like to say that I feel that my role has been really enabling those people to do what they do,” she said.

She paid tribute to the “very special” people working in aged care who are facing public criticism as news emerges about abuses in the sector through the Royal Commission into Aged Care. “They deserve the recognition,” she said.

She also thanked her children Alex and Emily for being “always my inspiration”.

Archbishop Fisher said that “Ms Davies has made a significant contribution to helping the homeless and the disadvantaged, through the Order of Malta and through financing a unit at St Vincent’s Hospital to alleviate mental illness among the underprivileged.”