Locals who are making a difference
A DIVERSE array of Gold Coast and Tweed residents are among the 895 Australians recognised for their efforts in science, sport, the arts and the community in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
The recipients include:
MEMBERS (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Emeritus Professor Shelley Mary Burgin, Varsity Lakes: For significant service to environmental science and education as an academic, author, and mentor, and to zoology and conservation.
Mr Walter Andrej Mikac, Byron Bay: Mr Mikac, whose wife Nanette and their two young daughters were murdered in the Port Arthur massacre 21 years ago, is recognised for significant service to the community as an advocate for gun control, and to the protection of children through social welfare programs.
Russell Norman Morris, Hope Island: For service to the performing arts as a musician, singer, songwriter and entertainer and as a supporter of charitable organisations including Support Act, Child Wise and YAMS Foundation.
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM)
Dr Neil John Bartels, Carrara: For service to medicine in rural and regional areas. The volunteer Chair of statewide non-profit organisation BUSHkids (the Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme) follows in the footsteps of his father Reg Bartels, who received the OAM in 1984.
Mr Paul Beaumont de Launay, Southport: For service to engineering, particularly in disaster relief situations, including deployments with UNICEF in Darfur, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Sudan and Vanuatu and with UNHCR in Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Guinea, Tajikistan, Eritrea, Geneva and Afghanistan.
Ms Karen Joan Deephouse, Ashmore: For service to surf life saving including in senior roles with Surf Life Saving Queensland, Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club and Surfers Paradise Outrigger Canoe Club.
Dr Roslyn Frances Dunbar-Wells, Ashmore: For service to the performing arts as a singer, teacher, adjudicator, author and music reviewer. Dr Dunbar-Wells has more than 4000 performances in opera, operetta, television programs and concerts to her credit and was a voice teacher at the Queensland and Sydney Conservatoriums of Music
The late Mrs Margaret Anne Egan, Murwillumbah: For service to the Tweed community including senior roles with Rotary District 9640, Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Murwillumbah, Murwillumbah District Business Chamber and After Hours School Care.
Dr David William Green, Coombabah: For service to emergency medicine and professional organisations on various boards and committees. Since 1987 he has served as Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Director, Emergency Department including Robina Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital. Dr Green was also a founding member of the Gold Coast Helicopter Rescue Service (now Careflight).
Mrs Linda Maria Rowan, Yatala: For service to aged welfare through groups including Beenleigh Senior Citizen Centre and Meals on Wheels.
Mr Michael John Kyle, Southport: For service to the community of the Gold Coast through volunteer work with groups including the Southport/Surfers Paradise Volunteer Marine Rescue, the Rotary Club of Nerang, as a director of Southport Golf Club and Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and senior roles with Southport School Foundation, St Hilda’s School Father’s Club and St Kevin’s Primary School.
Mr Ian Yarker, Clagiraba: For service to the community in a variety of roles through Rotary International and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Mrs Marg Ann Veltheim and Roy Alan Veltheim, Beaudesert: Mr and Mrs Veltheim are recognised for service to people who are blind or who have low version via their work with the Beaudesert Region Vision Impaired Persons Supporters Group, Retina Australia (Qld) Inc and Guide Dogs Queensland.
OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Dr Peggy Brown, Sanctuary Cove: For distinguished service to medical administration in the area of mental health through leadership roles at the state and national level, to the discipline of psychiatry, to education, and to health care standards. Dr Brown has served as CEO and Commissioner of the National Mental Health Commission since 2016.
Mr Graham William Burke, South Yarra, Victoria: For distinguished service to the film industry, to the broadcast media industry, to the leisure and recreation sector, and to the community. Mr Burke has served on the board of Village Roadshow, the owner of Village Cinemas, Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild, since 1988, and served as chief executive for 25 years. Mr Burke is also chairman of anti-piracy lobby group Creative Content Australia.