In the recent Australia Day Honours, the Patron of WOOMB International Ltd, Emeritus Professor John Edward Murtagh AO, MB BS (Monash), MD (Monash), BSc, BEd, FRACGP, DipObstRCOG, who had, in 2005, been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) received the extraordinary distinction of his Award being upgraded to an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to medicine, and to medical education, in the field of general practice, and to professional groups. Coming more than a decade after the original Award it is a mark of his continuing commitment to this important work.  WOOMB International is honoured to have him as Patron and extends congratulations on this singular honour.