Queen asked to visit for Games

HONOURS recipient Paul Broughton has never met the Queen, but you can rest assured he won’t waste his moment if he’s ever afforded the chance.

“You Highness, for 11 days in April of 2018 there is an event which has its history in the Empire Games and first held a year before I was born,” Broughton said, asked what he’d say to the monarch under whose reign he’s been recognised with a Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to rugby league and the community.

“Please come visit our city and its celebration of an event that is one of friendship.”

It’s exactly that kind of passion that’s earned Mr Broughton his place on the list of 891 Australians recognised today in The Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours List.

The recipients are comprised of 673 General Division appointments and awards in the Order of Australia and 218 meritorious and military awards.

Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University Professor Ian O’Connor was one of only 15 Australians made a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in this year’s Honours List.

Professor O’Connor was recognised for eminent service to tertiary education – particularly to the strategic development of national and international university initiatives – and to the community through engagement in social policy, child welfare and juvenile justice research.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Professor O’Connor’s award was well deserved.

“Congratulations to Professor O’Connor who has been recognised for his eminent service and leadership in the tertiary education sector as Vice Chancellor of one of our State’s largest and most innovative universities,” she said.

Runaway Bay educator and former national president of the Australian Federation of Child Care Association Gwynneth Bridge was appointed a Member (AM) in the General Division for significant service to the community through leadership in the early childhood care and education sector.

Archaeologist Judy Birmingham, from Pottsville, in northern NSW, and Murwillumbah Hospital Emergency Unit Director Dr John Moran were also appointed Members (AM) in the General Division.

Mr Broughton was one of a number of Honours List recipients from the Gold Coast and northern NSW who received the Medal (OAM) in the General Division.

Among them were the Reverend Ken Anderson of Nerang, who was honoured for his service to the Uniting Church in Australia while Gilston’s Dianne Loddon got the nod for her service to education and the community.

Former Gold Coast Acting Chief Superintendent Des Lacy was recognised for service to multinational law enforcement relations and co-operation.