The 1988 Medal recipient was the Reverend Dorothy McMahon, Minister of the Pitt Street, Sydney, Parish of the Uniting Church of Australia. In presenting the Medal, Sir Ninian Stephen paid tribute to Reverend McMahon's 'sustained, courageous and at times costly leadership to the community in general and the church in particular, upholding the rights of those who are victimised because of race, gender or sexual orientation, and responding to the needs of such people'.
The President of the Commission, Justice Einfeld, spoke about her as a 'tireless and courageous activist for human rights for more than thirty years' even though her work had earned the active hostility of a number of extremist organisations, directed both at herself and her church.
The medal is cast in bronze and was designed and made by Victorian sculptor and architect Michael Meszaros.
Human rights medal
Winner