Prof. Tracey Rowland, Dean and Associate Professor of Political Philosophy and Continental Theology at the John Paul II Institute (Melbourne), was honored with the The Officer's Cross of the order of Merit by the Polish Ambassador to Australia, His 
Excellency Professor Andrzej Jaroszynski. The Order of Merit is the highest honour Poland gives to a non-citizen. The Archdiocese of Melbourne website reports:
"I feel very privileged and very honoured to be here with you and to share my joy that Professor Tracey Rowland has been recognised with the highest distinction given to foreign nationals by the Polish Government," Ambassador Jaroszynski said. "It is not often that theologians are recognised by this distinction."
The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is a Polish order awarded to those who have rendered great service to the Polish nation. It was created in 1974, and is granted to foreigners or Poles resident abroad.
In accepting the award, Professor Rowland, who is Dean of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne Campus, thanked those present, who included Bishop Peter Elliott, Dr George Luk, Consul-General of Poland, Religious, members of the faculty, students and friends, and expressed her gratitude for the award.
In her speech, Prof. Rowland praised Poland's cultural and artistic achievements, noted the country's defense of Western culture, and highighted the legacy of the country's most famous son:
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