Six driving forces in FNQ among OAM recipients
Order of Australia Medal recognition for outstanding contribution to community
A SENIOR psychologist, a prominent Cairns businessman, former Queensland MPs, a greengrocer and a Murray Island elder are this year’s Far North Order of Australia Medal recipients.
The Queen’s Birthday 2020 honours list recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.
Six people across the Far North have been recognised this year.
Mount Sheridan resident and Cairns Hospital’s senior psychologist, Denise Craig has been awarded an OAM for her work in raising awareness for people living with dementia and their support networks.
She has been part of the Far North Queensland Aged Care Assessment Team and Memory Service since 2009, and a Clinical Council Member since 2016. Ms Craig said she was “gobsmacked” to have been recognised.
“It’s very exciting, I’m a bit overwhelmed," she said.
“Hopefully it helps the cause, that’s the key thing now if it helps raise awareness.”
Ms Craig she said was currently completing her PHD to further her work.
“I am supporting end of life care choices for people who have a neurodegenerative disorder,” she said.
An active member of the Cairns community through a range of roles for more than 30 years, Francis Richard Ireland has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal.
Current co-managing director of the Ireland’s of Cairns dealership, Mr Ireland is also the president of the Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund, a member of the James Cook University Cairns Campus
Founders Committee and has been a Management Committee member since 1995.
He is also former director and deputy chairman of Advance Cairns, was the first honorary life member of the Rotary Club of Cairns, and former director and chairman of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre.
FNQ Youth Assistance Fund Administration Manager Judy Peace congratulated Mr
Ireland on this OAM achievement.
“Since 1987, Richard Ireland became the third generation Ireland Family member to be involved with and support the FNCQYAF. We are fortunate to have Richard’s support and calm guidance as our current president.”
Earlville resident and director of Anglicare North Queensland, Naomi Wilson has been awarded for her service to the people and parliament of Queensland.
Mrs Wilson is a former Queensland Minister for Community Services, Youth and Families, and former Mulgrave Councillor.
She has also been a board member of the Australian Education and Care Quality Authority since 2014, former president of Cairns and Districts Childcare Development Association, and former chairwoman *Limit one redemption per eligible +Rewards Member. Offer of Pasta eCookbook ends 2 August 2020 or while stocks last. Pasta eCookbook is valued at $9.99. and convener of the Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Prevention Program.
“I was most proud and it was most unexpected,” Mrs Wilson said.
“It’s been literally out of the blue … I often nominate people because I’ve always enjoyed that than having it done to me ... it’s been a surprise.”
On the Tablelands, former Mareeba Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore and Tolga resident
Fariborez Rameshfar have both been named Order of Australia Medal recipients.
Mr Gilmore was given the nod for services to local government and his community, having served as a councillor and mayor on both the Tablelands and Mareeba councils.
“I was a bit startled to find out and suddenly get recognition of that kind, but it was a very humbling experience because all the stuff I’ve done I’ve worked with so many magnificent people,” Mr Gilmore said.
“It belongs to more people than me, it belongs to the community in that sense it’s recognition of where we were and where we are now.”
Mr Rameshfar has been recognised for his service to remote communities in Far North Queensland.
For three decades the green grocer has been travelling to remote settlements to deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to those living in isolated areas of the Far North.
He is a member of the Atherton Tableland Baha’is and a finalist in the 2020 Queensland Local Hero category of the Australian of the Year Awards.
Mer (Murray) Island elder Alo Tapim has been recognised for his contribution to the indigenous people of the Torres Strait with an Order of Australia award.
The 74-year-old has been a champion of younger generations of the Mer Island community and was pivotal in the transition from community controlled schooling to Queensland Government run education.
“He has been instrumental in that movement and to get our kids to secondary education,” Aven Noah, Division 15 Councillor of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, said yesterday.”