Locals with connections to rugby league, basketball, and horse racing have led the local recipients of King’s Birthday honours.
His name is on the stand, and now in the history books, with the Armidale Rams long serving coach and board member Colin Tanner being awarded an OAM. Tanner, who began as a player in 1947, took of the boots and has been a coach since the 80s, has also been a groundsman at Armidale Rugby League Park since the 70s.
Janice Lemon of Glen Innes has been recognised with an OAM for her services to the community of Glen Innes, including working on the local Australia Day awards for some 25 years. The local Lioness is also a volunteer presenter at 2CBD and STA FM Community Radio, and volunteers with the local basketball, Relay for Life, and the Glen Innes Show.
Edward Wilkinson of Willow Tree was also awarded an OAM for his services to the not for profit sector, recognising his work with Challenge. He is best known for his involvement in horse racing, serving as a board member and President of the Quirindi Racing Club. The former member of Armidale and Tamworth Lions Clubs, also fits the larger media theme this year, as a former general manager of 2TM.
Locals recognised in the public service honours include Maxwell Eastcott-Layton, who received a Public Service Medal for his leadership as general manager of Gwydir Shire Council and over 50 years of contribution to the sector. Tenterfield’s Edwin Gray and Wayne Halliday of Sandy Flat both recieved the Australian Fire Service Medal for their distinguished service.
An almost local in ABC broadcaster Phillip Adams, who lives at Gundy these days and is best known for his role at the helm of Late Night Live for 33 years, has been awarded the highest honour, has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to broadcast media, journalism, the arts.
The arts and media dominated the awards this year, with director Baz Lehrmann and designer Catherine Martin, who between them have 20 academy awards, also being awarded an AC. Business woman, podcast host and author of Don’t Be Too Polite, Girls, Wendy McCarthy, and multi-award winning author JM Coetzee have become also become Companions of the Order.
Other business women and leaders to be acknowledged include Kathryn Fagg for her contributions to the finance sector, and Professor Jennifer Westacott, the current Chancellor of Western Sydney University.
Climate science also got some recognition, ANU Professor Mark Howden, the former chief agricultural scientist with the CSIRO who now serves on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change with the United Nations as well as many other global climate roles, with Professor Graeme Stephens, a co-director at NASA’s Center for Climate Sciences, and Professor Ian Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a marine scientist at the University of Queensland with a lifetime of work protecting coral reefs, also receiving the highest award.
There are some controversial awards as well, with campaigns already underway to strip Scott Morrison of the Companion of the Order of Australia award granted for his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, during which he gave himself multiple ministerial portfolios without informing his colleagues, and his role in the much-debated AUKUS deal.
The full list of honours is available from the Governor General’s website.
Did we miss anyone? If you know of a local or formal local who received an award today not mentioned above, let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au