Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
11 July 2018
The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia:
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Honorary Officer (AO) in the General Division
Ashi Tashi Chodzom DORJI,
c/- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thimphu Bhutan
For distinguished service to Australia – Bhutan bilateral relations, particularly to the education sector.
By His Excellency’s Command
Mark Fraser LVO OAM
Official Secretary to the Governor-General
APPOINTED AN HONORARY OFFICER (AO)
IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Ashi Tashi Chodzom DORJI,
c/- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thimphu Bhutan
For distinguished service to Australia–Bhutan bilateral relations, particularly to the education sector.
Ashi Tashi Cheudzom Dorji is the Grand Aunt of the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. She is the elder sister of Her Majesty the Queen Mother of His Majesty the Fourth King.
Ashi (meaning Princess) Tashi was instrumental in strengthening the relations between Australia and the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. She facilitated the opening of Bhutan to Australia and the world, making an invaluable contribution to the promotion of Australian interests and the maintenance of stability in the region over many years.
In 1962 Ashi Tashi secured Australia’s support to include Bhutan as a member of the Colombo Plan, a centrepiece of Australian foreign policy aimed at strengthening ties with Asia, by providing aid to countries in need of assistance. This was Bhutan’s first membership of any international organisation.
Ashi Tashi has continued to play a pivotal role in facilitating the Australian Government’s outreach to Bhutan. She helped establish the Australian Government’s development program in Bhutan, which has developed into an enduring education relationship - 1,450 Bhutanese students are currently studying in Australia. She also assisted with the establishment of the Australian-Bhutan Friendship Association.
Ashi Tashi’s vision, effort and dedication to the Australia-Bhutan relationship has facilitated significant goodwill and close relations between Bhutan and Australia