Ten residents from across the region have received the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division in today’s awards, most of them from Tamworth.
Amongst a host of other female politicians featured on today’s honours, including former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and former NSW premier Kristina Keneally, are two of our own.
Current Gunnedah Shire mayor and long serving councillor Colleen Fuller has been recognised for her service to the community through a range of organisations, including Meals on Wheels, Gunnedah Homes for the Aged, the Gunnedah Miners Support Group which she co-founded, Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society, Gunnedah Scouts, and Group 4 Rugby League.
Former Tamworth Regional Deputy Mayor Helen Tickle has also received an OAM for her service to local council and the Tamworth community. Tickle retired from Council at the last election in late 2024 after being first elected in 2008. She is also a former President of the Tamworth Business Chamber and the Tamworth Serendipity Committee, and a member or patron of a host of other local organisations.
Tamworthians dominated the local representation on the OAM lists.
Neville Miller was recognised for his service to country music. The founding committee member and life member of the CMAA got the nod for some 40 years of support for the Queen of Country Music Capital and the Country Music Cavalcade. Rodney Walker, best remembered for dressing up as a clown or with his one man band act for many years at TCMF, has also been honoured with an OAM for his services to the arts.
Tamworth Senior Citizen of the Year 2024 Greg Roese received the honour for service to veterans and to the community, acknowledging his long-standing work with Tamworth Legacy and Tamworth City Bowling Club.
The late Eddie Whitham, of Tamworth, was posthumously recognised for his service to the multicultural community of Tamworth. He was a founding member of Multicultural Tamworth and instrumental in the creation of the multicultural festival now known as Fiesta La Peel, and was Tamworth Citizen of the Year in 2014.
Formerly of Tamworth and now of Quirindi, Rob Lewis was recognised for service to the community of the New England region, reflecting wide-ranging grassroots contributions across education, cricket, football, soccer, local events and attractions including the Quirindi Silo Art Committee, and has served as Vice President of Farming for Kids since 2010.
From Willow Tree, Neville Holz was awarded for service to horse sports and to the community, reflecting his contribution to horse sports and the community, including over 50 years of participation the Australian Stock Horse Society.
Armidale’s Mike Porter received an OAM for service to cricket, recognising decades of involvement in the sport at local and regional levels. He served as the President of the Armidale District Cricket Association for 30 years, and has curated the local wickets since 1981.
“When you think of Armidale cricket, you think of Mike Porter. He has been the president of the local association since 1989 and his loyalty to the sport is admirable,” said Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan.
Walcha sculptor Stephen King received the award for service to the visual arts as a sculptor. The founder of Walcha’s Open Air Gallery and the New England Sculpture Track has played a significant role in establishing Walcha’s reputation as a sculpture town and in promoting public art across the New England.
“Stephen King’s dedication to visual arts is incredible. He was instrumental in the creation of Walcha’s Open Air Gallery which showcases the town’s character and brings tourists in,” Mr Moylan said.
Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce has congratulated and commended the region’s recipients in the 2026 Australia Day Honours, recognising a broad cross-section of community, cultural and civic service across New England.
“It’s always wonderful to see local residents recognised for their tremendous dedication to civic service,” Mr Joyce said.
“I make special mention of Eddie Whitham who, sadly, is no longer with us and did not get to receive his honour,” Mr Joyce said.
“Eddie’s advocacy for others never went unnoticed, has forever changed people’s lives and I think of him and his family today.”
Former locals have also been recognised, including former Tamworth scouts leader Paul Hennessy, who now lives in Kelso; the former head of vocal tuition at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music Margaret Taylor, who now lives in Maleny; former property manager at Box Point Station in Guyra and previous owner of Redbank at Inverell, John Griffith, who now lives in Bulimba; and education Aboriginal Community Liason Linda Olive, who was in Moree for a few years before moving to Port Macquarie.
In addition to the Order of Australia awards, Mardi Cook of Uralla, received the Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.
“These are very distinguished honours, and I congratulate all award recipients and thank them for the contributions they have made, and continue to make, in local communities right around the region,” Mr Joyce said.
Nationally, some 680 Australians were recognised with Order of Australia awards this year, comprising 496 men and 184 women.
The gender imbalance was acknowledged by the Council of the Order of Australia, which said the disparity was a cause for concern.
“The gender balance of this year’s honours list more broadly is both a cause for concern and, the council hopes, a prompt for community action,” it said.
“There is no doubt there are as many outstanding women contributing to our communities as there are men. The council would like to see this balance reflected across all nominations and, therefore, outcomes at all levels of award.”
Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know of someone deserving recognition, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au
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