Salute to Tassie’s achievers
A COUPLE who suffered loss through a devastating fire, an advocate supporting disadvantaged community members and a cooking trailblazer who lent her skills to underprivileged groups are among the Tasmanians on the 2021 Australia Day honours list.
There were 27 Tasmanian residents recognised with Australia Day awards among 845 people honoured nationally.
A total of 249 of the medal recipients went to Australians who were said to have shown outstanding service or achievement in the community.
In recognising that more needs to be done to see a greater number of women honoured with a medal [36.8 per cent of 2021 recipients], GovernorGeneral His Excellency David Hurley has reached out to Australian organisations to increase the number of female nominations.
The Tasmanian Australia Day honours list features a list of residents who have exhibited tireless community spirit across a range of fields including volunteer roles, youth work, the hospitality sector and government industries.
They include teenage parent support advocate Bernadette Black AM, Sarah Parry AM – captain of 1965 vessel Windward Bound, which promotes self-confidence and life skills for youth and Sally Wise OAM for service to the hospitality and culinary sectors and to the community.
General Hurley said the individuals we celebrate have served the community “in almost every way conceivable”.
“They’re diverse and unique but there are some common characteristics, including selflessness, commitment and dedication.
“Recipients have not put their hand up to be recognised. Most would consider the achievements that they are being recognised for to be ‘ordinary’ or just what they do.
“Therein is the great strength of our system – recipients in the Order of Australia have been nominated by their peers, considered by an independent process and, today, recognised by the nation.”
Ms Wise, whose achievements were borne out of a “hobby” and love for cooking, said it was with “no false mod
esty that the award is a huge surprise”.
“Cooking has meant a great deal to me and I’ve been so privileged to have a hobby develop into what’s been a career,” the Derwent Valley Cooking School founder said.
“Over the years I’ve had fabulous experiences teaching in neighbourhood centres with cook books and educating soon-to-be-released prisoners about cooking methods.”
Also honoured today were Huon Valley couple and founders of Home Hill Winery Terry and Rosemary Bennett OAM. The couple said they thought it was a hoax when they were first contacted about the award. “But then a week later we were contacted again and assured it was in fact true which is such a privilege,” said the couple who had frost wipe out their entire crops in 2007, before Huon Valley bushfires wreaked havoc on their property in 2019.
“We feel so lucky to live in this country and community which is full of love. Australia Day means a lot to us, but to receive this award is something we never even thought about.”
The pair said they would celebrate by cracking open a beloved bottle of 2014 pinot with family and friends.
Greg Hall, who served as councillor and mayor of Meander Valley Council, and in Tasmania’s Legislative Council, said his award was “humbling and unexpected”.
He said it would have been unachievable without the “strong and unswerving support” from his wife Kathy.
Mr Hall said one of the defining moments in his life was being called up for national service and serving in a combat role in Vietnam. “Whilst that happened some 50 years ago, it left a legacy firmly imprinted in my mind — something never forgotten,'' he said.