Thanks for everything
Far North community members have been honoured for their service to the community at an investiture ceremony at the Court House Gallery last week.
Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young awarded the Order of Australia Medal to 18 Far North Queensland recipients on Friday.
Among the recipients was President of the Visual Arts Association North Queensland, Lone White for services to the community and the creative arts. Mrs White, a passionate visual arts advocate, was surprised to hear she had been nominated to receive an OAM.
“It was a surprise when I got a letter asking do you want to be an OAM? They said somebody had nominated me and would I be willing to accept?” Mrs White said.
Born in Denmark, Mrs White has always had a love of visual arts and travelled the world doing pottery workshops including in India and Japan.
“It shows that even in a small place like Cairns, it’s possible to get around in visual arts because you don’t aim for things like this. The only reason I accepted was so I can put OAM behind my name when I write to the government or council and they can take more notice,” she said.
Cairns paramedic Nadine Bond was also among the recipients when she was awarded an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) for her service to the health industry.
Ms Bond began her career as a volunteer honorary officer with the Cairns Ambulance Service in 1987. Six months later she became Cairns’ first full-time female paramedic.
“I started when the ambulances were on Aplin Street. It was certainly a challenge when I started and it’s been very rewarding and challenging,” she said.
Ms Bond, who works in the Localarea Assessment and Referral Unit (LARU) team said to be recognised for her work was “humbling”.
“I feel very honoured. I was completely taken by surprise. I would love to know who nominated me, but I’m very thankful. “It’s a great job and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”