Locals from South East NSW included on biggest Honours List ever

The Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), has today announced 1400 awards in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List.

The Australia Day 2019 Honours List is the largest since the Order of Australia was established in 1975. These awards recognise the contributions and service of outstanding individuals from right across Australia, including the Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla, and Bega Valley.

“On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate recipients of Australia Day Honours. These people are worthy of our respect, admiration and thanks – they have made an enormous contribution to their local communities and to the entire nation,” the Governor-General says.

“Today’s recipients come from right across the country and from all walks of life. While some are well-known, the majority are unsung heroes.

“Their contributions are diverse yet there is a unifying theme: they have dedicated themselves to service. They have worked tirelessly for others, to improve local communities and to make Australia a better place.

“While typically they haven’t sought thanks or recognition, they deserve both. Their generosity, selflessness, compassion, dedication, commitment to service and energy inspire and motivate all of us.”

The overall number of nominations is on an upward trend and the number of Australian women being acknowledged through the Honours system continues to grow.

Chairman of the Council of the Order of Australia, the Honourable Shane Stone AC QC, says awards in the Order of Australia are merit-based, following nomination by members of the community.

“It is important to appreciate that these outstanding individuals have been nominated by their peers – their hard-work, service and dedication have been noticed and is being recognised both locally and now through the Order of Australia,” Mr Stone says

“This year the independent Council of the Order of Australia considered 1526 nominations. The number and quality of the nominations is leading to more and more Australians being celebrated and recognised.

“We encourage all Australians to nominate fellow citizens who have made an outstanding contribution for consideration in the Honours List – it is an opportunity to say thanks, celebrate ‘quiet achievers’ and recognise those inspiring people who make our nation what it is.”

A full list of recipients is available at the Governor-General’s website.

A local snapshot of the 2019 Australia Day Honours List:

Member of the Order (AM)

Rodrick John Parker, Batehaven.
For significant service to community music through pipe and drum bands.

Founder (1999) of the Highland Pipes and Drums Band, current Pipe Major with the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Pipe Band.

Teacher and tutor for a range of bands including the Federal Police Pipe Band/Canberra City Pipes and Drums, Queanbeyan Pipe Band, Scots School Albury, NSW Irish Pipe Band, Canberra Celtic Pipe Band, Canberra Burns Club Pipe Band, and Goulburn Soldiers Club Pipes and Drums.

Bruce Herbert Leaver, Coolagolite.
For significant service to conservation and heritage preservation, to public administration, and to the community.

A career including work with Parks Australia, the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Heritage Commission, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Tasmanian Public Land Use Commission, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, South Australian Department of Environment and Planning, Australian Alps Liaison Committee.

Community involvement includes; Sapphire Coast Tourism, Far South Coast Region Advisory Committee – NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage, Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Advisory, Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee, Gulaga National Park Board of Management.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Leslie Arnould, Surf Beach.
For service to veterans and their families.

Current Secretary and Pensions Officer of the Returned Services League, Batemans Bay.

Legatee, since 1999 and current Group Secretary of Wollongong-South Coast Legacy, Batemans Bay Club

Peter Geoffrey Freeman, Moruya.
For service to architecture.

Conservation Architect since 1984.

New South Wales heritage conservation projects have included: Moruya Quarry Wharf and Presbyterian Manse, Moruya.

Tasmanian heritage conservation projects have included: Hobart Town Hall, University of Tasmania’s Domain House, Theatre Royal.

Australian Capital Territory heritage conservation projects have included: Manning Clark House, Conservation Management Plan for Reid Streetscape, CSIRO Westridge House, Telopea Park School.

John Tice Gellibrand, Narooma.
For service to the community of the Eurobodalla.

Member of Narooma Legacy Group since 1993, Chair between 2012 and 2018. Founding member of Eurobodalla Canine Club and Eurobodalla Orchid Club. Service via Eurobodalla Transport Service

Janette Ceipha and John Ernest Griffiths, Narooma.
For service to the community of the NSW South Coast.

Co-Managers and Operators, Narooma Kinema, since 2005.

Steven Alexander Cooper, Jindabyne.
For service to snow sports.

Committee Member of NSW Interschools Snowsports since 1998, Chair, since 2003. Director of NSW Snowsports since 2003.

Ski and Snowboard Australia, Chair, National Participation Committee, since 2016, Director, since 2010.

Teacher, NSW Department of Education, since 1980. Deputy and Relieving Principal, Jindabyne Central School, 2006-2018.

June McPhie, Cooma.
For service to the law.

Solicitor in Cooma since 1991. Active service to the Law Society of NSW, Law Council of Australia, Faculty of Law – University of Sydney, Faculty of Law – University of Technology Sydney.

A range of executive roles, Liberal Party of NSW, Cooma Branch, since the 1980’s.

Margaret Sirl, Bega.
For service to domestic horticulture, and to the community.

Host of South East Gardening, ABC South East Radio, since 1988. Co-owner, Sirl’s Garden Centre, 1979 to 1995

Member of the Bega and District Garden Club since the 1960’s.

Guest Speaker at a range of community events, including the Bombala Spring Show, Eden Whale Festival Open Gardens and Bemboka Flower Show.

Judge, Bega Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticulture Society over many years.

Member, Bega Evening View Club, since 1979. Member, Bega Chamber of Commerce, 12 years. Inaugural President, Bega Floral Art Group, 1988 and current Patron and Member. Volunteer, Hillgrove Nursing Home, many years.

Michael Kevin Brosnan, Pambula.
For service to the community through the not-for-profit sector.

Lasallian Foundation Australia and De La Salle Religious Order – volunteer, Papua New Guinea, since 2011.

Current Chair of Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast. Honorary Member, Rotary Club of Pambula, since 1992.

Catherine Margaret Lawler, Cadgee.
For service to conservation and the environment.

Foundation Member, Access For All, since 1999. Founder and Patron, Wandera’s Trail Horse Riding Club.

Member, Far South Coast Regional Advisory Committee – NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Member, Heritage Advisory Committee – Eurobodalla Shire Council.