LOCAL HEROES HONOURED

Recipients span the gamut of good works

RESPECTED Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Aunty Patsy Cameron and former Tassal managing director Peter Shelley have been recognised as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has approved 891 awards for the 2017 list recognising a range of contributions and services across all fields including professional endeavours, community work, Australia’s Defence Force and Emergency Services.

“We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our nation and it is only fitting that they have today been recognised through the Australian Honours system,” he said.

Local heroes have been joined by the nation’s finest leaders, entertainers, researchers, and sports stars in also being honoured for their work.

Hollywood star Cate Blanchett and veteran businessman Jacques Nasser are among 15 Australians awarded the nation ’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

Qantas boss Alan Joyce is also an AC recipient, as is Penfolds winemaker Peter Gago from the Barossa Valley.

Nine Tasmanians were recognised in the General Division (AM) and a further 14 received the Order of Australia (OAM).

Two Tasmanian educators — Karen Gee and Lynne McDougall — were recognised with Public Service Medals in the Meritorious Division, which acknowledges outstanding service by employees to Government, and Tasmania Police Commander Glenn Keating, currently in charge of Education and Training at the Tasmania Police Academy, was awarded the Australian Police Medal.

Premier Will Hodgman has congratulated all Tasmanians honoured. “Recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List is one of the highest acknowledgments of community service an individual in Australia can receive,” he said.

“Our Tasmanian recipients are deserving and inspiring and we acknowledge them for their outstanding achievements and service”.

Aunty Patsy (aka Dr Cameron) was recognised for distinguished service to Tasmania’s Indigenous community through the promotion of educational participation and achievement and to the preservation of culture, custodianship and traditional knowledge.

She was deputy head of the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education at the University of Tasmania for a decade and the first Tasmanian on the National Aboriginal Education Committee.

She was the co-founder of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal community Alliance. She has also served as the director of the Melythina T iakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation since 2000 and was a representative on the Tasmanian World Heritage Committees.

“I have a lump in my throat because I am overwhelmed by this beautiful surprise,” Dr Cameron said.

“I share this honour with others who have passed before me. Aunty Alma Stackhouse (OAM), Aunty Molly Mallett (AM) and Aunty Ida West (AM).

Mr Shelley, from Margate, was recognised for distinguished service to business, particularly aquaculture, and to Australia-Japan relations, to professional associations and to the community.

Mr Shelley, who is now retired, was the managing director of Tasmanian Quality Foods for 10 years and of Tasmanian salmon farmer Tassal between 1988 and 1998.

Mr Shelley, who was awarded a Decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun by the government of Japan in 2012, was, honorary consul-general for Japan in Tasmania and has just recently stepped down as vice patron of the Australia-Japan Society after 20 years.

Mr Shelley said the award was a big surprise and very special.

I have retired from business now but it is an honour to be recognised

PETER SHELLEY