Mish Kumar-Jonson was inducted into the 2026 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, recognised for their work supporting displaced queer individuals. They are the first non-binary person of colour in the Honour Roll’s 25-year history.
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women recognises the achievements and contributions of some of Victoria’s most remarkable women and gender diverse people of all ages, experiences, backgrounds and fields.
On Thursday night, twenty-seven new inductees were honoured at a ceremony at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
“It’s an honour to recognise these exemplary women on behalf of Victorians for their leadership and service to our community,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Gabrielle Williams.
“These inductees have paved the way for others, strengthened their communities, become leaders in their fields and continue to inspire the next generation.”
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Mish Kumar-Jonson helping to reshape mental healthcare
Amongst the inductees was Mish Kumar-Jonson, a mental health social worker dedicated to making mental health care fairer and more accessible.
Mish champions community-led responses to complex health issues, including establishing overdose prevention programs across Victoria’s north and south-west.
In 2023, Mish founded The Iceberg Foundation, a community-led mental health charity that provides pathways of care for queer, neurodivergent, multicultural and forcibly displaced communities.
A year later, Mish launched the Manaya Pride Program, providing free psychological support for forcibly displaced queer people. The care is identity-affirming and informed by lived experience.
Mish said they were privileged to be inducted alongside a cohort of formidable women.
“I’m grateful to be a part of the longest-running celebration of women and gender diverse people in Australia that creates intentional recognition of the leadership and excellence of women and gender diverse folks across the Kulin nations,” they said.
Mish Kumar-Jonson is inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women / Image Supplied“As a neurodivergent, queer and disabled social worker, and at a time when women are incredibly unsafe in our society, I’m proud of be a part of a movement that reminds women and gender diverse folks of the importance of us shaping our truths, our strengths, our achievements and courage to imagine a more affirming world for all through the role models who authentically embody these values.”
Mish is helping reshape how mental health care can be delivered more equitably, creating a model that continues to influence Victoria’s health and community sectors.
‘Recognition like this isn’t simply about putting someone’s name on a list’
Other inductees included a pioneering television personality, an internationally recognised neurosurgeon, and a local volunteer striving for gender equality in their Country Fire Authority district.
2023 inductee Michelle Sheppard was MC of the inductee event. Reflecting on the evening, she shared that “Recognition like this isn’t simply about putting someone’s name on a list”.
“It is a moment where we collectively say, we saw what you did, we see the difference you made, and it mattered.”
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