The
ORDER
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
EDITION 42 SUMMER 2016
RRP $10.00 inc. GST
THE CEDARS - HAHNDORF
The Cedars is a unique 60-hectare heritage property on Heysen Road, near Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. It is the
historic home of one of Australia’s most noted landscape artists, Sir Hans Heysen OBE (8 October 1877 – 2 July 1968).
Sir Hans Heysen OBE was a German-born Australian artist who became renowned for his watercolours of monumental Australian gum
trees. He also produced images of men and animals toiling in the Australian bush, as well as depictions of arid landscapes in the Flinders
Ranges. He won the Wynne Prize for landscape painting a record nine times.
Wilhelm Ernst Hans Franz Heysen migrated to Adelaide in South Australia with his family in 1884 at the age of 7. As a young boy he
showed an early interest in art. At 14 he left school to work with a hardware merchant, later studying art at Art School in his spare time,
under James Ashton. He joined the Adelaide Easel Club in 1897 and was immediately recognized as a rising talent. At age 20 he was
sponsored by a group of wealthy Adelaide art enthusiasts to study art for four years in France. In 1912 he purchased “The Cedars,” near
Hahndorf, that remained his home until his death in 1968 aged 90.
Read more on page 30
Keep up to date with what is happening in your
Branch by checking our Association’s website
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
ASSOCIATION OFFICE HOLDERS
THE ORDER
The Order, the national publication of The
Order of Australia Association, is published
by the National Board of the OAA. It
appears also on the association’s website:
National Directors
National President: Mr. N. Ross Adler AC
National Chairman: Mr. William R. Galvin OAM
Mob. 0418 100 927
Deputy National Chairman: Prof. John McKellar AM ED
Tele: 08 8395 1030
National Secretary: Mrs. Colleen Wardell OAM
Tele: 02 9680 2618
National Treasurer: Mr. Alastair Douglas OAM
Tele: 03 6225 2012
National Membership Director: Mrs. Jane D.Arthur AM
Tele and Fax: 08 8391 2505
Branch Directors
ACT: Mr. Bruce Trewartha OAM
Mob: 0439 887 480
e-mail: [email protected]
NSW: Mr. John Archer OAM
Mob: 0434 999 778
e-mail: [email protected]
NT: Dr. Tom Lewis OAM
Tel: 08 8932 2644
e-mail: [email protected]
QLD: Prof. John Harden AM
Mob: 0418 988 659
e-mail: [email protected]
SA: Mr. Ken Coventry OAM
Mob: 0428 999 483
e-mail: [email protected]
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
Editor:
Colleen Wardell OAM
Publisher for the Board:
Colleen Wardell OAM
(02) 9680 2618
[email protected]
Please send material for publication, including letters to the
editor and photographs, to: [email protected]
or by post to:
The Order of Australia Association, Old Parliament House,
18 King George Terrace,
Parkes, ACT 2600
Phone & fax: (02) 6273 0322
Views expressed in The Order are not necessarily the views
of the Order of Australia Association. The Association does
not necessarily endorse any third-party advertisement
published in The Order or accept any responsibility or
liability for those advertisements or the goods and services
they advertise.
ISSN 1835-4378 (print)
ISSN 1835-4386 (online)
Print post approved. RRP $10.00 inc GST
Free to OAA members
TAS: Dr. John Thorne AM
Mob: 0409 817 898
e-mail: [email protected]
THE ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
VIC: Mr. Paul Wheelton OAM
Mob: 0418 534 418
e-mail: [email protected]
The Association website is a source of important
information: it is easy, fast, up-to-date and includes:
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
Chairman: Ms. Penelope Thwaites AM
Tele: 0011 44 020 7794 5090
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
•The Association’s aims and structure.
•Membership application and renewal.
•Editing your basic membership contact details.
•National Conference — Sydney 2016.
•National Committee membership and contacts.
•National publication — The Order.
•A link to each branch with current information:
- Committee and contacts.
- Upcoming functions.
- Newsletter and local information.
•Frequently Asked Questions about The Order of Australia.
•Nomination process and documentation for awards.
North American:
Make the website your first port of call. If you want further
information please talk to your branch committee.
WA: The Hon. Bill Hassell AM
Mob: 0417 902 915
e-mail: [email protected]
National Manager: Ms. Rosemary Everett CPA
Tele and Fax: 02 6273 0322
e-mail: [email protected]
Overseas Regional Groups
United Kingdom/Europe:
Chairman: Mr. Gregory Copley AM
Tele: 0011 1 703 9094 167
e-mail: [email protected]
PAGE 2
If you have ideas about information you would like on the
website please contact your branch committee.
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
National Chairman’s Report
Thank you for your continued support to our National Organisation - especially for attending the wide
range of events organised in all States and Territories and in the United Kingdom, the United States of
America and other locations including the People’s Republic of China.
We are all pleased to see the support offered by Branches towards young people, - the next generation of
this great country. The comprehensive youth support schemes chart the future lives of the young recipients.
Your Association has been pleased with the current enquiries and take up / bookings for the March 2016
Pacific Cruise aboard the luxury liner of the Royal Caribbean Line. This is a trial member service which
may be extended to other travel destination in future times. All details appear on the web site under New
Events and also in the Merchandise section.
Our members have been pleased with the concurrent range of events in rural, regional and outback Australia judging from their
increased support. These country members travel long distances to attend an event and they offer great new ideas for our future
planning.
We are now calling all members to nominate a costed major project for us to support and provide appreciation. In past years these
has included the 100 metre Australian flag pole at Darling Harbour, Restoration of the Northern Doors at St. Andrews Cathedral and
the plaque at St.Mary-le-Bow church in London, United Kingdom. Funding will be through member donations and from Corporate
Australia. Please talk to your local Branch or contact Colleen Wardell , our National Secretary.
This is an opportunity for us all to acknowledge great deeds and give thanks for the future.
Best regards for your continued success.
W.R. Galvin OAM
National Chairman
National Secretary’s Report
Wishing everyone a successful, healthy, and joyous 2016.
Congratulations to all of the 2016 Australia Day recipients of an Award in the Order of Australia. This is indeed a very happy and
exciting time for you, your family, and friends. A warm welcome will be awaiting you all at your respective State/Territory Branch
of the Order of Australia Association in the coming months at their ‘Welcome’ function. We also look forward to welcoming you as
Members of our Association. You may inspire your Branch, Regional Groups, or the Association generally, with new ideas that would
benefit and expand the Association. This could provide an avenue for drawing on our members’ varying expertise and organization
skills, while at the same time, if they wish, leaving the actual conduct of activities to those on the Committees. Alternatively, you
may just wish to socialise with like-minded people. The website www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au is full of useful information about
the Association.
Our Association’s 2016 National Conference is being held in Sydney 11 – 13 March, plus pre- and post-tours and activities. There is
still time for you to reserve your place if you have not already done so. Conference Information and Registration Form can be found
as ‘Centrefold’ of this magazine.
As your Association does not want to lose communication with you please advise the Membership Registrar at your Branch of any
change to your postal or e-mail address and telephone details. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the reverse side of the
‘Address Sheet’ which accompanied this magazine with these details and forwarded it to the address as shown.
Colleen Wardell OAM
National Secretary
Have you registered yet
for the Order of Australia Association 2016
National Conference – Sydney 11 – 13 March
?
See Conference Information Brochure and Registration form Centrefold of this Magazine
PAGE 3
VICTORIA
Chairman’s Report
I am humbled to assume the role as Chair of the Victoria Branch of
the Association for the next three years. I also congratulate Diane
James AM on being appointed Deputy Chair - Metropolitan.
that will inspire our members and Australians at large.
We hope to publish the oration and also have media take an
interest in this annual event.
Congratulations to Fred Harrington who moves from
secondment to the Branch and to Dr John Bosarin OAM on
his election to the branch committee.
2. To support our Foundation and commence funding of a
scholarship with the Foundation for a student in Victoria. We
see an emphasis on Regional Universities to be important as
they have been excluded from previous scholarship allocations.
There are very large shoes to fill after the tireless work put in by
Past Chairman David Mann OAM, to get the Victoria Branch to
where it is now.
However there is no “I” in team and it is the team on theVictoria Branch
that represent you all who are the ones that drive the Association.
We have developed a strategic approach to our goals and have
been putting in place actions to head towards positive outcomes
with those goals.
3. Support our regional groups in all areas. This could include
seed funding for Regional projects. We will increase
resources at the State Branch level to aid in the functioning
of the regional meetings and communication to branches.
Part of the Chair role includes placement as a Director on the
National Board I will be taking an agenda of positive change
involving application of proven business principle to the meetings.
Our key Victorian priorities are.
I look forward to meeting you all as I fulfill the role you have
entrusted to me.
1. Develop a yearly oration titled “Inspiring Australians”. We
wish to have a very high profile Australian deliver an oration
Paul Wheelton OAM
SOUTH CENTRAL SUBURBS REGIONAL GROUP
SUPPORT TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ DEBATING COMPETITION
The Group continues to support the Debaters Association of Victoria secondary schools’ debating competition, providing medallions and
cheques to winning teams. Local sponsorship from Buxton real estate, Brighton, covers cost of the cheques.
In return we have an opportunity to present our message, usually to a large audience including students, teachers and some parents. This
year presentations were made at St Leonard’s College and Wesley College.
ANZAC 100 EVENT
CHANGE OF CHAIR
The centerpiece of our Anzac 100 theme for 2015 was a well-attended luncheon held
in August at the William Angliss Restaurant. Guest speaker, Tim Fischer AC, spoke
about General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD, widely regarded as the best combat
General to come out of the First World War. Monash was knighted in the field by the
King, a very rare event.
We thank Garry Spencer AM for his excellent work over the past year and welcome
Roger Wilson OAM as new Chair of our
Regional Group.
LUNCH WITH THE FORMER FIRST LADY OF TIMOR LESTE
Our final event for the year was held on
11th November at the Sandringham Club,
attended by 71 members and guests.
Included were representatives of the Friends
of Laleia, established by Bayside Council,
and the Friends of Manatuto, sponsored by
Kingston Council, who both spoke briefly
about their work to support Timor Leste.
women and children in Timor Leste.
A truly outstanding address by a remarkable young woman, which gave us much to
consider for the future.
Guest speaker was Kirsty Sword Gusmao,
AO, former First Lady of Timor Leste, our
nearest neighbor (1 hour flight from Darwin
to Dili) and newest nation on the planet.
Australia should not forget the debt owed to
the people of Timor Leste, especially their
protection and support of our servicemen
during World War II. The Japanese treated
the people of East Timor very badly; estimates are that from 40,000 to 60,000 who
aided and abetted our commandos on the
island, were executed.
Kirsty now lives in Australia, and spoke about
the history of the Nation and also her role.
She also spoke about the Alola Foundation,
which she established to improve the lives of
Kirsty grew up locally and attended
Sandringham Primary School, while her
mother and father taught and met at
Sandringham East Primary School.
Prior to lunch, we arranged for Kirsty
(supported by four of our Committee
members) to visit the Sandringham East
Primary School, where she laid a wreath and
addressed students, teachers and parents at
the Remembrance Day service, and then
joined the teachers for morning tea.
Kirsty presented books to the teachers’ and
children’s libraries, and in turn was presented
with a lovely bouquet of flowers, a book on
the history of the school, and a children’s book
for her to present to a School in Timor Leste.
We were all moved by the children reading
the poems they wrote for Remembrance
Day. An experience never to be forgotten.
FIRST EVENT FOR 2016 – THURSDAY, 17th MARCH
This is a visit to the Australian National Aviation Museum at 1 Second Avenue, Moorabbin Airport on Thursday, 17th March at 9.30am.
Founded in 1962, the Aviation Museum is run by a dedicated group of volunteers and members, and houses not just 50 aircraft and engines
but models, uniforms and other items associated with Australia’s Aviation History.
Among the collection of 50 Aircraft are rare and unique examples of Australian made aircraft including a WirrawayA20-10, a Victa Air Tourer
and a DAP Mk21 Beaufighter.
Further information may be obtained from either Roger Wilson OAM 0418 395946, or Ross Newton OAM 9555 5549.
PAGE 4
BARWON REGIONAL GROUP
This active Group is hosting a late afternoon function to meet 2016 Australia Day award recipients on Sunday, 28 February at TACV Torquay
when the Guest Speaker will be Toni McCormack OAM.
Her motto is “how can w e m ake ithap p en”
Information and replies to [email protected]
DESIGNING FOR DEMENTIA – BY BRIAN KIDD AM
Enabling Environments for People with Cognitive Issues
Brian Kidd AM was a Queen’s Birthday
1990 recipient for services to architectural
design, particularly for the needs of the
physically disabled and the frail aged.
The OAA Barwon Regional Group
member presented at the October 2015
Annual Conference of the Association of
Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA).
He noted that we all find it acceptable
to contemplate an old age troubled by a
physical or sensory loss, but we all recoil
at the thought of contracting a cognitive
condition, when we are no longer able to
be in control of our own life.
At the Conference Brian presented a case
to develop Australian Standards for the
Ageing population. The Australian Bureau
of Statistics (2012) estimate that 18.5% of
the population have a significant disability.
Accordingly, we have produced Australian
Standards to cater for issues of Mobility (AS
1428.1), Vision Impairment (AS 1428.1.4)
and Hearing Impairment (AS 1428.1.5).
Yet we have still neglected the potentially
largest group of all – the aged, and
particularly those with dementia.
AS 1428.1 was only tested on people
between the ages of 18 and 60 and so
we do not have Standards applicable to
a large proportion of the population. The
key difference is that older people are
more likely to require the assistance of a
carer and the assistance of prosthetic aids
and devices, and more likely to be beset
by multiple disabilities and cognitive
conditions. Dementia is the third leading
cause of death in Australia, and there is
no cure. It is the single greatest cause of
disability in Australians aged 65 years and
over.
environment has a definite influence on the
behaviour of residents. There are several
excellent examples.
Currently people over 65 form 25% of the
population, and this is forecast to grow to
50% by 2050. Approximately one quarter
of these will have some form of dementia
or cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s
Australia report that there are over 321,600
Australians living with dementia (2013
figure). This is expected to increase by
one third to 400,000 in less than 10 years.
The number is expected to reach 900,000
by 2050. 1,700 new cases are diagnosed
every week. There are also 24,400 people
in Australia with Younger Onset Dementia.
AS 1428.1 is particularly essential in
ensuring our communities and buildings
are inclusive for everybody. The present
Standards are all predicated on the
encouragement of independence, whereas
frail aged care is characterised as a time of
dependence and assistance by carers.
At present many buildings for people
with dementia are poorly resolved by
designers organisations who are unaware
of the verified research data in this field.
We have been trying to overcome this
deficiency by conducting design courses
for senior architectural students at the
University of Melbourne, Students simulate
various impairments in order to develop
their understanding of the range of human
conditions. They simulate disabilities by
spending time in a wheelchair, being
blindfolded or wearing ear plugs, etc.
They also undergo a Virtual Dementia
Experience at Alzheimer’s Australia
Previously, dementia was not seen as
a normal part of ageing. Sufferers were
classed as mental patients and confined
in the feared and isolated asylums. We
now realise that the design of the built
CENTENARY OF GALLIPOLI
CONCLUDES WITH A
MESSAGE OF PEACE
Evacuation of the ANZACs was one the most successful operations
of the Gallipoli campaign. When it became clear to the War Cabinet
in London that Gallipoli was an unwinable proposition, it was
decided to leave quietly. The winter was approaching fast, big
German trench mortars started arriving on the Turkish side that
would leave no safe place for the ANZACs and importantly, it was
clear that the tenacity and resolve of the Turks, defending their
homeland, was impossible to break. So, quietly they went. There
were over 40,000 ANZAC troops on 8th of Dec. and they all sailed
away bit by bit each night until none was left in the early hours of
20th of Dec 1915. Despite predictions, there were few casualties
during this operation.
A Standard for people with cognitive,
intellectual or psychological problems
will benefit far more than people
with Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias. It will also benefit people with
developmental difficulties, people with
mental retardation, people with acquired
brain injury, and younger children whose
cognitive abilities are not as yet fully
developed. Such a standard will be a major
boon to people who for various reasons
find the built and natural environment to be
confusing, intimidating and unintelligible.
Traditional and current solutions are not
likely to be palatable to future generations.
New creative models based on empathy,
awareness of research data, and innovative
thinking are required. With any solution,
the key aim is to respect the dignity of
the individual, enable them to function to
the best of their residual abilities, and to
nourish their souls and lift their spirits.
Remember, statistics indicate it could be
YOU!
Brian J Kidd AM
The ANZACs left behind thousands of their mates, mostly in
unmarked graves. The Christmas waiting for them would be bitter.
The Turks who lost ten times as many as Australians would start
the grieving process for so many who perished. The peace with
its silence and serenity had arrived in the Anzac sector on the
Gallipoli Peninsula.
20 December 2015 marks the end of hostilities at Gallipoli in
the ANZAC Sector. The Centenary of this important event was
commemorated at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne,
organised by Friends of Gallipoli Inc [FOGI]. Chairman of the
Victorian State Branch of the Order of Australia Association Paul
Wheelton, OAM, laid a wreath at the Sanctuary for the fallen.
The Chairman of FOGI and a member of the Victorian State
Branch, Dr John Basarin, OAM, suggested that this event could
actually provide a message of peace as it marks the silencing of
the guns at Gallipoli.
PAGE 5
QUEENSLAND
Chairman’s Report
The year 2015 has been very successful thanks to the very
active Queensland Branch Committee and the regional group
coordinators. The many events have been well attended and my
annual report, available on the web site, provides a very detailed
record of the year’s activities.
The recently held AGM and the Annual Dinner were well
attended and I am pleased to welcome two new members
who were elected to the Queensland Branch Committee
-Marjorie Voss OAM and Winston Fraser OAM. Sue Norrie
OAM and Christine Bundesen AM did not seek nomination
for the committee in 2016 and we thank them for the valuable
contributions they made to the Committee’s activities during
the year. I thank Professor Tony Webber AM, the past
Chairman, for his support and wise counsel during my first
year as Chairman.
One of the highlights of the Annual Dinner was announcing the
winners of the 2015 Senior Volunteer Awards - Mary Peden, Dell
York and Iris Worboys. The Queensland Branch was very pleased
to recognise the outstanding contributions these volunteers
make to the community. Another highlight was the address by
Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC, the guest speaker.
We are already planning events for 2016 and I encourage you
to refer to the web site and The Order for details of those events.
A major national event in 2016 is the National Conference of
the Order of Australia Association which is being held in Sydney
from 11 to 13 March. I encourage you to attend this Conference
and look forward to meeting you there. Can I conclude by
wishing all members of the Association, their partners and
friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
John Harden AM
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2015 QUEENSLAND BRANCH
ANNUAL DINNER
The Annual Dinners held every November
are always very memorable occasions. For
those who attend, they give an opportunity to reflect on how the year went for the
Queensland Branch, to wish each other a
merry Christmas and to enjoy a great deal of
fun and fellowship over a nice meal and a
glass or two of preferred beverage.
This year’s Annual Dinner was again held
in the Captains’ Room at The Pavilion, the
home of Queensland Cricket and overlooking the lovely Alan Border Field at
Albion, five kilometres north of the Brisbane
CBD. The 93 guests, including 43 members,
were treated to a most thought-provoking
after-dinner talk from our special guest,
Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC
Earlier the guests enjoyed a drink on arrival
and were served canapés in the adjacent
Picket Fence Café before the actual dinner
commenced at 7:30pm.
Professors on parade at the annual dinner – from L to R - Professor Adrian Herington (Judith Clement’s husband); Distinguished
Professor Judith Clements AC (Guest Speaker); Emeritus Professor Tony Webber AM ( former Qld Branch Chairman) and
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO (current Branch Committee member).
We were so pleased that Judith Clements AC, a most eminent Queenslander, accepted our invitation to be this year’s guest speaker at the
Dinner. Judith is a Principal Research Fellow of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia and leads the
Cancer Program at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, QUT, based at the Translational Research Institute on the Princess
Alexandra Hospital Biomedical Precinct in Brisbane. She is also Scientific Director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre Queensland located on this campus. Her areas of expertise include prostate and ovarian cancer, with respect to the Kallikrein proteases
and their utility as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer progression. She has over 190 publications in scientific journals and
collaborates widely with colleagues in the US, Canada, the UK and Europe. She is the Chair of the national prostate cancer tissue bank - the
Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource, which is a key resource that underpins prostate cancer research nationally and is co-leader of the
Queensland node of the international genome wide association study consortium for prostate cancer. Judith was made a Companion of the
Order of Australia in last year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
In her talk, Judith highlighted her life and her philosophies and how she commenced her distinguished career. She touched on the people
and early circumstances that motivated her to take on her chosen field of endeavour. A key message that flowed throughout the talk was that
one should never give up on one’s dreams and aspirations despite the hardships and challenges that will inevitably get in the way; and that
people can reach their goals with a degree of perseverance.
The Annual Dinner was also the occasion when we announced the three winners of this year’s Queensland Branch Senior Volunteer Awards
and two of the recipients, Mary Peden of Brisbane and Dell York of Hervey Bay were present with their friends and family to receive their
award from Richard Coulson, a Director of Cox Rayner Architects, the sponsor of the awards. (For profiles on all three winners including Iris
Worboys from St George who could not attend the Dinner please refer to the separate article “Three outstanding Queenslanders who thrive
on volunteering”.)
PAGE 6
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
THREE OUTSTANDING QUEENSLANDERS WHO THRIVE
ON VOLUNTEERING
The winners of the 3rd annual Queensland Branch Senior Volunteer Awards were announced at the Annual Dinner on Monday
23 November 2015.
The 2015 winners of the awards as selected by the judging panel
appointed by the Queensland Branch committee were –
•Mary Peden of Taringa, Brisbane;
•Dell York of Pialba, Hervey Bay (290 km north of Brisbane); and
•Iris Worboys of St George (500 km west of Brisbane).
Two of the recipients, Mary Peden and Dell York received their
awards at the Annual Dinner on Monday 23 November. Unfortunately, Iris Worboys could not attend the Dinner to receive her
award because of ongoing health and mobility issues so Geoff
Cowles OAM, the Branch Secretary, visited St George and presented
Iris with her award at a special event organized by the St George
Anglican Church on Wednesday 2 December.
L to R – Associate Professor John Harden AM (Queensland Branch Chairman); Mary
Peden (Senior Volunteer Awardee); Dell York (Senior Volunteer Awardee) and Richard Coulson,
Director, Cox Rayners, Architects (the Award sponsor).
The following are the citations for our three worthy senior volunteers
which were read out at the Annual Dinner.
Mary Peden is very deserving of a 2015 Senior Volunteer Award.
Mary has lived a life of distinguished community service through
voluntary and charity work.
As well as her dedicated volunteer work with the Red Cross, Riding
for the Disabled, Open Gardens Australia and Rotary International,
Mary is perhaps best known for her more than 26 years’ service
with the Voluntary Guide Scheme at the Brisbane Botanic Garden,
Mt Coot-tha.
Her outstanding leadership and commitment in that organisation
has led to her being the recipient of several prestigious awards
including a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship and a longservice award made by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
Mary remains the only inaugural guide out of 16 initially recruited
still serving today. Her vast experience and mentoring of other
guides is highly respected.
Geoff Cowles OAM, Queensland Branch Secretary presenting Iris Worboys of St George with
her senior volunteer award at a Presentation Dinner held at the St George Anglican Church on
Wednesday evening 2 December 2015.
Iris Worboys is a very worthy recipient of a Senior Volunteer Award
for 2015.
Dell has been instrumental in preparing display panels for the
Hospital Museum and educational materials suitable for distribution
to district schools and visiting groups of school students.
Living in St George, Iris has contributed in a very significant manner
to her community for over two decades.
Amongst her many activities over the years, Iris has volunteered as
an organiser and worker at St George Pony Club, St George Girl
Guides and Venturers, St George Swimming Club, St George Meals
on Wheels and St George Anglican Church Sunday School, Guild
and Op-shop.
Now 86 years of age, she remains a stalwart and committed member
of the St George community. While she is now no longer able to be
as active as she once was, she continues to assist in the work of the
Op-shop.
Through more than twenty years of voluntary work Dell has made
a significant contribution to the Maryborough and Wide Bay
community.
Three more humble people you could not meet. They were thrilled
to receive their awards. The Association acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of Michael Rayner AM, principal director of Cox
Rayner Architects in Brisbane, who kindly provides the sponsorship
for the event.
Dell York has been a member of the Wide Bay Hospital Museum
Society since 1992 and has been Secretary continuously since 1996.
The winners this year received their award for not only outstanding
community volunteer service but also continuing volunteer service
as well. They epitomize the value of volunteering as a practical
means of offering help, support and encouragement to noble causes
that benefit their communities. All three awardees go about their
work with a giving serving heart. Mary, Iris and Dell are certainly
worthy winners of this year’s awards.
She has also served in dual capacities as President and Treasurer
when necessary. In her role of Secretary, Dell has been a major
contributor to the development, organisation and operation of the
Wide Bay Hospital Museum which cares for and displays items and
documents relating to Maryborough’s public hospitals which date
from the 1860’s.
Nominations will soon be open for the 2016 Senior Volunteer Awards
and we would welcome receiving nominations of outstanding senior
volunteers from our membership. Information on how to nominate
and the nomination form will be available at the Queensland segment
of the Association’s website under “Senior Volunteer Award” at
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au in February 2016.
As her nominator commented, “She is a much loved and valued
member of the St George community and of her Church family.”
PAGE 7
BRISBANE MORNING TEA
– 20 APRIL 2016
GOLD COAST
REGIONAL GROUP
Ever wondered what goes on at a busy Emergency Services
Complex. Well you have your chance to find out by attending our
next Brisbane morning tea at the Queensland Emergency Services
Complex at 125 Kedron Park Road, Kedron.
A flyer with fuller details of timings and the program and costs will be
available on the Association’s website in late February or you can contact
Geoff Cowles OAM, the Branch Secretary and he can email you a copy.
The Gold Coast Regional Group held a successful afternoon tea
on Saturday 21 November 2015. As the temperature was in the
high 30’s and there was no sea-breeze, the function was held
indoors instead of being held as planned outside as a garden
party. The function was held in The Scottish Room of the Fox &
Hounds Country Inn at Wongawallan. The Inn is a reconstructed
British inn brought to Australia. Thirty-two members, relatives
and friends attended and reports indicated all enjoyed themselves
despite the heat. Geoff Cowles OAM represented the Queensland
Branch Committee at the event.
In the meantime make this a date claimer.
Bill Collins AO, Convener
The morning will include a briefing on the activities at the Complex,
a tour of the Complex and afterwards an excellent morning tea.
THE PASSING OF A MUSEUM
LEGEND
Dr Alan Bartholomai AM, a great servant of the Queensland Museum and its
longest serving Director from 1969 to 1999, passed away after a brief illness on
17 December 2015.
Alan was recognised for his outstanding service to the Museum in the 2012
Australia Day Honours and significantly in the Museum’s 150th year.
Members who attended the Brisbane morning tea on Wednesday 29 August 2012
at the Queensland Museum will remember Alan’s excellent talk “Bringing the
Museum into the 21st Century” where he touched on his long and illustrious career
and the challenges he had to face in overseeing the relocation of the Queensland
Museum from the Fortitude Valley site to South Bank Cultural Centre.
A renowned authority on Cretaceous era fish fossils, Dr Bartholomai is wellknown by the public for his work in describing the Australian dinosaurs
Muttaburrasaurus and Minmi.
Alan receiving a Certificate from the Association for his talk on 29 August
2012 from Tony Webber AM, then Queensland Branch Chairman (left).
The Association offers sincere sympathy to Alan’s family and friends over their loss.
Geoff Cowles OAM, Secretary
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
REGIONAL GROUP
The Far North Queensland Regional Group held a lunch on 7 November
2015 at Cairns’ award-winning Ochre Restaurant. Twenty-two
people attended and enjoyed a lively party and a superb two course
meal. Several newly attending members told stories related to their
awards. One of these talks was given by (Frances) Anne Atkinson
AM whose memories of her days building a life in the outback gave
us some profound insights into why she received her award for her
role in geology and her pioneering field work on the origin of the
Undara volcanic landscapes of Northern Queensland. These are now
internationally recognised and are a significant tourist attraction and
location of a unique three-day operatic event that has been run for
over a decade by the Collins family and another of our members,
Victor Collins AM. Elizabeth Harman AO, Convener
Anne Atkinson AM speaking at the Cairns luncheon.
BUNDABERG REGIONAL GROUP
Our Christmas gathering was held on 12 December 2015 at the property of Lyn Kelman AM and her husband, John, at Rossendale
where we all had a delightful bar-b-que lunch. We met Barbara Hovard OAM, and her husband.Barbara is our newest recipient of an
award in the Order of Australia. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on the Queen’s Birthday 2015 for service to local
government, and to the community of Maryborough. After lunch, Lyn introduced us to Mrs Lillian Coyne who is a well-known local
historian and has lived at Rossendale all her life. Barbara and I read stories that Lillian had prepared and we all viewed items from Lillian’s
extensive and interesting collection of photos and memorabilia. Donna Duncan OAM, Convener
PAGE 8
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
IPSWICH RECIPIENTS OF RECENT
AWARDS IN THE ORDER OF
AUSTRALIA
The city of Ipswich has long been known for its prominent politicians and great football
players. Sir Joshua Francis, Sir Llew Edwards AC, Hon. David Hamill AM, Dr Don Cameron
OBE and Hon. Bill Hayden AC all were senior ministers in State or Federal Governments.
The Hon. Bill Hayden AC was also the 21st Governor-General of Australia.
Noel Kelly, Allan Langer AM and the three Walters brothers, Kevin, Steve and Kerrod,
excelled at Rugby League while Paul McLean MBE and several members of his family did
so at Rugby Union.
In recent times the Ipswich region has had several citizens recognized for their selfless
community service.
It was my pleasure to represent our Branch Chairman, Associate Professor John Harden
AM, at two Investitures held in September 2015 at Government House Queensland. As a
proud resident of Ipswich, I was very pleased to notice the large number of awardees from
the Ipswich Region. In the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours, 14% of the recipients in the
general division in Queensland were residents of the city of Ipswich or nearby towns - Dr
Ralph Neller AM, John Dredge OAM, June Mulcahy OAM, Vione Jorgensen OAM, Isabella
Kearsley OAM, Judith Schmidt OAM, Peter McMahon OAM and Cr. John Brent OAM.
Patrick Galligan OAM
QUEENSLAND
BRANCH
OFFICE-HOLDERS
AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Patron
His Excellency the Honourable
Paul de Jersey AC,
Governor of Queensland
Chairman
Associate Professor John Harden AM,
Tel: 07 3408 2005 (H); 0418 988 659 (M)
Vice Chairman
Mr Peter McMurtrie AO KStJ,
0408 887 923 (M)
Hon. Secretary
Mr Geoff Cowles OAM,
Tel: 07 3351 4991 (H);
0413 833 720 (M)
Hon. Treasurer
Mr Royce Voss OAM,
Tel: 07 3410 0348 (H);
0419 729 953 (M)
Membership Officer
Mr Patrick Galligan OAM,
Tel: 3288 2276 (H); 0408 703 276 (M)
Newsletter Editor
Mr Paul McNally OAM,
Tel: 4632 2286 (H); 0407 584 886 (M)
Conference 2017 Convener
Mr Mick Davis AM ASM,
Tel: 3355 7872 (H); 0411 554 955
Mr Winston Fraser OAM, Member
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO,
Member
Mrs Marjorie Voss OAM, Member
Mr Raymond Young OAM, Member
All correspondence to Geoff Cowles
OAM, Hon. Secretary, 16 Kanturk
Street, Ferny Grove, Qld 4055 or email
[email protected]
John Brent OAM (left) and Peter McMahon OAM at their investiture.
CENTRAL
QUEENSLAND
REGIONAL
GROUP
The next function for members of the
Central Queensland Regional Group will
be held on 7 March 2016 when the guest
speaker will be Oskar Stünzner OAM. His
topic will be “The effects of geography and
the social environment on the delivery of
veterinary services in Samoa and similar
Pacific nations.”
Raymond Young OAM, Convener.
IN MEMORIAM
Wing Commander John Patrick Baker AM
Dr Alan Bartholomai AM
Prof Graeme Beardmore OAM
Jack Bordujenko OAM
Jeanette Covacevich AM
Prof Teresa Rita Cramond AO OBE
Austin Ray Crooke AM
Maj Gen Gordon John Fitzgerald AO
Trevor (Barry) Gavin OAM
Mary Elizabeth Hopkins OAM
Maj Gen William (Digger) James AC AO
MBE MC
Sydney Whittle (Eric) Kay AM
Nicholas Xynias AO BEM
REGIONAL GROUP
CONVENERS
Bundaberg: Donna Duncan OAM
[email protected]
Central Queensland: Raymond Young OAM
[email protected]
Darling Downs: Paul McNally OAM
[email protected]
Far North Queensland: Elizabeth Harman AO
[email protected]
Gold Coast: Bill Collins AO
[email protected]
Mackay-Whitsunday: Carmel Daveson AM
– [email protected]
Sunshine Coast: Contact the Branch Secretary
[email protected]
Townsville: Mick Johnson OAM
[email protected]
PAGE 9
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ACT BRANCH
STUDENT
AWARDS
Five presentations were made at the ACT
Order of Australia Association’s Student
Awards for Service to the Community,
reflecting the strong response by ACT
schools and colleges to the invitation
to nominate young people providing
outstanding community service. Branch
Patron Gen Peter Gration AC OBE presented
the awards at a ceremony prior to the ACT
Branch AGM on 19 November 2015.
Group Award to St Peter and Paul Primary
School, Garran for valued contribution to
support the students at Malkara Specialist
School.
The students at Malkara Specialist School
have moderate to severe intellectual
disabilities and the St Peter and Paul
students work with them on a weekly
basis to foster a relationship of inclusion,
friendship and learning. Three groups, Year
6 students, Kinder Maroon and 2 White
engage with the students. Year 6 students
buddy with Malkara students for a walk,
Kinder Maroon are involved in a weekly
literacy and numeracy session, and the
2 White class work in small groups on
communication. Malkara School is deeply
appreciative of their work with the school
and the St Peter and Paul students practice
model citizenship and compassion.
Group Award to Gamilaraay Group,
Radford College for engagement with
indigenous schools in northern NSW.
Senior Radford students travel up to
three times a year for a week at a time to
participate in daily life with the people
of the region, particularly indigenous
children in remote country schools. The
students assist staff and children and
share life stories and experiences. The
engagement has enabled students to assist
in academic and co-curricular spheres
giving encouragement to the communities,
and this has also resulted in transformation
in attitudes and understanding of the
participating students.
Group Award for Amaroo School’s
International Duke of Edinburgh Bronze
Level Group.
This group of fifteen year 9 and 10 students
have been working towards their Bronze level
with four sections, Physical, Skill, Expedition
and Service. For the service section, the group
chose a project to set up a kitchen garden to
grow fruit and vegetables supply the school
cookery classes and this has extended to
working in partnership with the Mustard Seed
Food Pantry based at the Gungahlin Uniting
Church. The students have worked to supply
PAGE 10
Branch Patron Gen Peter Gration AC OBE with St Peter and Paul students.
this food bank to help disadvantaged families
and have spent 850 hours volunteering on this
activity. The school is the first in eight years
to offer the Duke of Edinburgh scheme to
students who are challenged with all sections,
and the students are to be congratulated on
their initiatives.
Individual Award for Samuel Browning
for commitment to community service in
Canberra and overseas.
Samuel is a Year 12 Radford College
student
who
balances
outstanding
academic achievement with a high level
of engagement in community service
and social justice issues. He has become
involved in spearheading a Radford
fundraising committee to support a number
of Canberra charities, mentoring younger
students and leading weekly support visits
to Black Mountain school and organising
activities for people with disabilities at
L’Arche. He has also been part of the
Radford Gamilaraay Group, and has
spent time in Timor Leste supporting and
learning from schools and communities.
Samuel’s plan is to study medicine, and his
commitment to the needs of others is to be
commended.
Individual Award for Mia Bueno for her
passion to involve women in Information
Technology.
Mia is a year 11 student at St Clare’s
College and has taken steps to encourage
women into the IT industry by designing a
concept to empower them with skills in the
workforce. She won 2nd prize in Young ICT
Explorers competition in 2014 for designing
an app to warn drivers of identified hazards,
and has also demonstrated entrepreneurial
skills. Her initiative is to be commended,
and she has a very bright future.
ACT BRANCH
OFFICE-HOLDERS
AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Patron
Gen Peter Gration AC OBE
Chair
Bruce Trewartha OAM
[email protected]
62310281 (H) 0439887480 (M)
Treasurer
Phil Morrall AM
Committee Members
Brian Acworth AM
MAJ GEN Michael Crane DSC & Bar, AM
Lynne Duckham OAM
Gillian McFeat Lin OAM
Derek Robson AM
Sam Wong AM
Immediate Past Chair
Trish Keller OAM
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
Hon Margaret Reid AO with host students
ACT Primary School choir performing at UCKHS
MORNING TEA AT
UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA
KALEEN HIGH SCHOOL
5 NOVEMBER 2015
This morning tea activity for the Branch was an initiative of Branch
Chair Trish Keller OAM, herself a former school principal. This was
developed to engage the local Branch with the ACT school community,
and Kaleen High School was very supportive of this initiative.
The event also showcased ACT student talent in music, song and
dance for Branch members. The Instrumental Music Program is
located within the UCKHS precinct and is directed by Ms Naida
Blackley OAM who received her award in the 2013 Queen’s
Birthday honours “For service to education as a music teacher”.
Two students hosted each member who was able to spend some
mentoring time with the students. Morning tea was provided and
served by the Hospitality Class students.
Malcolm Beazley AM,Virginia Hausegger AM and Bruce Sinclair AM with UCKHS students
CENTENARY FOR DR. MAX DAY AO FAA
Branch Member Dr. Max Day AO FAA celebrated his 100th birthday on 21 December 2015. Elected
to the Australian Academy of Science in 1956, Dr Day is the oldest living fellow of the Academy. An
ecologist and entomologist who collaborated with Australian greats of both those disciplines, Dr Day was
part of CSIRO’s Executive before becoming the founding Chief of CSIRO’s Division of Forest Research.
Throughout his career, Max worked extensively with the CSIRO insect collection.
Dr Day said recently that the most satisfying achievement of his scientific career was the work he did
with the late Professor Frank Fenner AC FAA FRS on the myxomatosis virus which played a major part in
controlling Australia’s rabbit problem.
Max has a 74-year publishing career, beginning in 1938 with ‘Notes on the terrestrial ecology of the
five Islands’, in Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW. His most recent publication in 2012, over
thirty years after he retired, examined the biology of the Australian scribbly gum moth, revealing 11
new species, the larvae that was making the scribbles, and a unique interaction between the tree and
the moth.
Following retirement Max kept busy with a number of roles on advisory committees and consultancies
with Government Departments, the World Bank, international institutions and the Division of Entomology.
Dr. Day was appointed an Officer in The Order of Australia in June 1977.
A webpage, including a recent interview with Max, is at: http://ceh.environmentalhistory-au-nz.org/
news/happy-100th-dr-max-day/ . PAGE 11
TASMANIA
Chairman’s Report
Noel Reginald Viney OAM was born
in Devonport on December 20th
1934 to George and Ellery Viney, the
first born son of nine children. Noel
resided with the family in Thirlstane
until the age of 12 then the family
moved to Abbotsham where the
family farmed for 10 years before moving to Upper Castra.
Noel married Amy Johnson 53 years ago. They have four boys
all raised in Ulverstone. They now have six grandchildren, and
three great grandchildren. They have lived in the same house for
46 years and plan to stay there.
up junior surf live saving for the coast culminating in the
Tasmanian area. This included organising and taking state
teams to the mainland. He has also been involved with the
senior surf lifesaving for Tasmania plus involvement with
the North West Football Association for many years before
retirement, including president of these associations.
Noel’s other ‘love’ for the last 18 years is growing orchids and is
still involved with this organisation as the current patron. He has
been the show marshal of the orchid show for the past six years.
Noel now spends any spare time he has with the orchids as well
as doing generous deeds for his friends and neighbours.
Noel’s first job was with the Agricultural Department on King
Island, working on disease control in dairy cattle. Then he
moved to Ulverstone after three years, still working for the same
department before transferring to the Artificial Breeding Board.
After 20 years he then worked for Blue Ribbon Meat Products for
another 20 years before retiring.
Noel received his Order of Australia Medal in January 2008 for
service to the Ulverstone community including mainly surf life
saving with young children. He has also received the Ulverstone
Lions Club Elvin Jones Award in 2009, the first Tasmanian to be
listed in the Hall of Fame for Lions Club Inter-national for his
dedication to his work in Lions.
Noel’s leisure life includes his main love of surf life saving as
well as football and cricket. He was instrumental in setting
Noel Viney OAM
Tasmania Branch Chairman
OPINION PIECE – SOUND DECISIONS NEEDED NOW
Australia Day and Anzac Day are upon us again. What will our
leaders do to prevent our young, vibrant, vital young people from
going off to war, instead of standing firm and saying there are
better solutions than fighting; or, we can do more with our finances
than fund the armaments industry; or, we can be independent of
America’s poor decision-making.
On Armistice Day 11/11/16, my family with thousands of Tasmanian
families, will remember relatives who fought and did not come home
again from the first or second world wars, or if they did return, lived
totally changed lives. My four uncles fought in WW1, one was a
Rhodes Scholar who was studying medicine at Oxford. He enlisted
and worked in field hospitals. After the war, he could not face a
hospital again and sold insurance. How many other thousands of
Australian’s lives were altered, not for the better, because world
leaders like senior European politicians in 1913, could not and did
not make the hard, but common-sense decisions needed to change
the course of history and stop that wasteful war before it was too
late? Australian families are still paying the price.
The same happened prior to WW2. Following high inflation, then
the Great Depression, Europeans were trying to survive, ‘minding
their own business,’ ‘shutting a blind eye,’ avoiding trouble, many
pretending, partying, dancing, drinking and drug-taking, opting
out of their responsibilities, instead of standing up and saying to
their Governments, “This is too extreme, this is not right, this has
to be stopped, or, this has to be modified. Now.” By 1937 for
example, thousands of women world-wide, e.g., those meeting in
the International Council of Women world conference, were deeply
worried that Germany had massively re-armed, and that the brown
shirts and the Nazi party in Germany had not been stopped earlier.
Again it was a case of big business wanting ‘business as usual’ calling
for continuing appeasement so that Government leaders vacillated.
At present, many of those in my networks are feeling deeply
concerned because we consider that our Government is not making
the decisions which are needed right now, for example, to steer our
car industry into the future via renewables, rather than allowing
it to disintegrate. Or, to propose sufficient and adequate cuts to
Australian’s carbon emissions before the Paris Conference this
year. Did our Governments listen to those who rallied in the Global
PAGE 12
Marches on 29 November? Or, will the powerful fossil fuel interests
cause the Government to continue to vacillate? Australia cannot
afford to see the polar ice-caps and glaciers melt much further, or
the oceans warm by even one degree more, or droughts and floods
increase. It is no use Australians hoping that our Government will
do the right thing unless enough of us, the ‘silent’ majority let our
Government know clearly that we want to reduce Australia’s carbon
footprint to acceptable levels immediately rather than too late.
We don’t mind if we have to pay a bit more to achieve this. How
many Australians will rally or write, to let them know that enough
is enough. At present it is not enough. It must be in line with what
99% of the world’s top scientists say we need to do. Will our leaders
listen to ordinary people? Will the die-hards in our Government say
it is time to change policy? They should.
Certainly there are no easy answers. It is not easy for the Government
to decide on balanced and sensible policies. However, with the
increasing use of the internet for communication in its various forms,
it should be easy for the Government to involve many more citizens
in the creation of satisfying and sound solutions to the difficult
problems, especially climate change. That is, unless the majority of
Australians kid themselves that they can go on like “ostriches with
heads in the sand,” trying to mind their own business and live only
in the present; like Europeans in the 1930s. Thank goodness the
majority of Australian citizens have more wisdom that this, they will
no longer be fooled or leave it to a handful of Government leaders
to get it wrong once again. The Government should appreciate the
wisdom of the people.
Other concerns include fear that our Government’s decisions are
far too closely aligned with those of America’s extremists, whose
limited policies on terrorism and violence have helped put millions
of people in their current terrible position. Also, that Australian
Government‘s decisions are not adequate to balance the greed of
multinationals whose only motive is excessive profit. And that our
Government is not providing adequate secular education to control
the influence of extreme religious groups whose belief systems are
based on ignorance.
Linley Grant OAM
This article courtesy of The Mercury
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
NORTHERN REGION NOTES
The highlight of the latter part of 2015 was the Mayoral Reception on 15 October hosted by his worship the Mayor of Launceston Albert
Van Zetten. Over 70 people attended and it was very pleasing to see not only new awardees but also some long-standing awardees that
have not been around for a while. The Northern Region Association is very grateful to the Mayor and the staff of the Town Hall for providing
an opportunity to recognise and welcome new and old members in such a significant manner. Special thanks to Mayor Van Zetten for
his address and generous remarks; to Elizabeth Clark for taking such a detailed personal interest in arranging the event, and to the City of
Launceston RSL band for their attendance and playing.
At the AGM on 22 October, the 2015 committee of management was re-elected for the forthcoming year along with two new members – Mrs
Joan Green OAM and Dr Nicholas Chantler AM PhD.
2016 will be another year of interesting activities for members in our region. February will see us lunching at the beautiful mountain home
of Betty Tasker OAM – those members who attended this delightful venue last February will vividly remember the splendid panoramic views
and delicious food. In April we will have an informative tour of the Rocherlea Studentworks followed by afternoon tea, and in June a special
tour of the Queen Victoria Museum with its curator Mr Richard Mulvaney as guide and guest speaker.
As well as developing new and interesting activities for members, the Northern Region OAA management committee is keen to promote the
awareness and ideals of the Order of Australia awards in schools and to the community at large. To this end it will be developing a member’s
survey to gather information and ideas as to how best to encourage people to recognise and nominate people for an award, and how best
to publicise our aims and objectives.
TASMANIAN
BRANCH
OFFICE-HOLDERS
AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Patron
Her Excellency Professor the
Honourable Kate Warner AM,
Governor of Tasmania
Chairman:
Mr. Noel Viney OAM;
Deputy Chairman:
Mr Clive D Lee AM ASM;
The Mayor of Launceston Albert Van Zetten hosted a reception for new northern Tasmanian award recipients. Amongst the attendees
were Kryne Meerman OAM, Mervyn Whybrow OAM and Barbara Whybrow.
Secretary:
Mrs Maureen Rudge OAM JP;
Ph 03 6225 3954
Treasurer:
Mr Ron Blake OAM;
Functions Manager:
Mrs Sue Cox AM;
Committee:
Dr Frank Madill AM;
Mrs Thérèse von Samorzewski OAM;
Mr John Pease OAM;
Betty Hite OAM;
Mr Terry Mather OAM;
Dr John Thorne AM JP (National
Director)
Betty Tasker OAM, George Shaw OAM,Trevor Clark OAM and Michael Polley AM at the Launceston Mayoral Reception.
PAGE 13
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Chairman’s Report
At the Annual General Meeting on
15 November 2015, I was pleased
to accept the role as Chairman of
the South Australian Branch for the
forthcoming year.
In the afternoon of the AGM we
convened a Members’ Forum. It was
well attended and as one member
put it to me – ‘we had the chance to
raise matters and be heard’. One of
the major issues raised was that of communication between
Branches and their membership. While email is a great
medium – and we are anxious to make sure we maximise
that form of communication – we are keen to explore a
communication strategy to all members. While I, and the
Committee, respect the right of a member to choose not to
have or use email or the internet we need to lift our game
to those members in any circulation/communication that
we propose. The Committee will be exploring this further
in 2016.
As an outcome of the issue of communication, a newsletter
was available to all members/partners who attended the annual
Christmas Morning Tea. This was a great success and was held
at Carclew House in North Adelaide. The venue is home to
Carclew – a multi-art form and cultural organisation dedicated
to artistic outcomes by and for people aged 26 and under.
In 2015 the SA Branch of the OAA made representations to the
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
(ACARA) seeking the inclusion of the (Australian) Honours
System in the Australian Education Curriculum. A separate report
in this issue provides further details but outcomes to date will
open up many opportunities for Branches and their members to
engage with schools as this rolls out.
I offer both my congratulations and that of our Branch Committee
to those in our communities who have been awarded an honour
in the Australia Day Awards. I look forward to meeting you as
you celebrate your award and are recognised for the contribution
you have made to our society and communities.
Ken Coventry OAM, JP, Chairman
STUDENT CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2015 – KASSIDY
COULTHARD, WOODVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Kassidy Coulthard was selected as the
South Australian Branch’s Student Citizen
of 2015. The announcement was made
at a function hosted by His Excellency
the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO and Mrs
Lan Le at Government House in October.
In the presence of many distinguished
guests Kassidy and 10 other students were
presented to His Excellency.
Kassidy has been described as an
outstanding member of both her school and
the wider local communities of Adelaide
and her own indigenous Adynamathanha
community in the Flinders Ranges. Her
influential leadership and citizenship have
enhanced multi cultural understanding as
well as developing a sense of pride and
service to others .Her leadership has been
demonstrated on both local and international
stages. On an international level of global
citizenship, her leadership of groups of
socially active youth was demonstrated
through her participation in the World
Challenge trip to Malaysian Borneo. She
was a key organiser in fundraising for
Woodville High School’s participation in
this visit to a remote community in Borneo,
where the participants offered community
service in building flood mitigation
trenches. The result of their work was that
this remote community no longer have their
lives disrupted or their health compromised
due to flooding in the wet season.
A particular interest for Kassidy is raising
money for World Vision because of its
global significance, having volunteered
briefly in Borneo when she was in Year
10. These experiences have stimulated
her desire to work in animal rescue and
land management overseas after she
graduates. She has also undertaken and
graduated in Certificate II in Animal Studies
and has already achieved a Certificate I
in Hospitality. These two qualifications,
achieved even before undertaking Year 12
studies, show her commitment to skilling
herself in readiness for further overseas
service to communities in need.
Kassidy very competently led, hosted
and facilitated the DECD Multicultural
Education Committee Youth Forum (July
2014) in which young leaders of culturally
diverse backgrounds, from different schools,
were able to identify and discuss issues
which impacted on their sense of self and
connection to a multicultural Australia.
She was also selected to be a participant
in the Australian Business Community
Networks ‘Business Investing in Tomorrow’
Focus Program for Young Women. In
recognition of her involvement and
leadership in the school and community,
Kassidy received the ‘Mark Butler’ Award
in 2014. She was one of two students who
represented the student leadership team
at the annual Australian Human Rights
Awards in Sydney, as her leadership group
was shortlisted for a Young Leaders Human
Rights Award. The same team, of which
she was a key member, was awarded the
inaugural Halogen Youth Leadership Award
for highlighting an important social issue.
Kassidy’s commitment to her own
Indigenous roots is also a powerful motivator
for involvement in her Adynamathanha
community in the Flinders Ranges. She
represented her Adynamathanha people
in the Nepabunna Community team for
the State Indigenous Netball carnival. She
is considered by many to be an important
cultural leader of the future. Recently she
worked with elders of the Adynamathanha
community from Nepabunna, interviewing
and recording information about the past
and current concerns and issues for the
community.
This has only been a brief summary of
Kassidy’s commitments to the community
and others. She is a proud Australian citizen
who believes that individuals can make
Australia a more just and inclusive society.
All her social activities reflect pride in her
citizenship.
Check out our website www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
PAGE 14
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
Activities For Our Members
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The National Conference this year will be in Sydney, 11 - 13 March.
If you are interested in attending and would like a brochure, please
contact Secretary, Rob Clyne [email protected]
NEW SA BRANCH
COMMITTEE 2016
ELECTED AT AGM 14/11/2015
RECEPTION FOR NEW
RECIPIENTS, FAMILIES AND
ALL MEMBERS.
April, 2016. As we are planning to change the venue and will not
know the date until closer to the time, expressions of interest on
the attached reply slip are requested. When we know the date,
cost and venue we will contact members who have indicated they
would like to attend. The reception will commence at 5.30pm
and the proposed venue will be close to town with appropriate
parking. We encourage our members and partners to join us at
this reception to welcome new recipients. Large Medals may be
worn. Registration is essential; please respond on Reply Form No.
2 (see separate flyer enclosed).
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
LUNCH, MONDAY 13 JUNE
Details of venue, cost and the entertaining guest speaker will be
advised in the next issue of ‘The Order’. In the meantime, please
put this date in your diary. These occasions are always very
enjoyable as we mix and meet with other members and friends.
We look forward to the pleasure of sharing your company on
the day.
VISIT TO THE CLIPPER
SHIP ‘CITY OF ADELAIDE’
FOLLOWED BY LUNCH
AT THE PORT DOCK
BREWERY HOTEL.
Our 2016 Committee ready for action!
Back Row L to R: Rob Clyne OAM - Secretary; Jan Forrest AM – Functions & Events; Ken
Coventry OAM – Chairman;Tony Metcalf OAM – Treasurer/Deputy Chairman; Glenys Jones
OAM – Membership Registrar/Regional Groups Co-ordinator; Professor John McKellar AM ED
– Immediate Past Chairman.
Seated in front L to R. Elizabeth Rogers OAM – Newsletter/The Order and Pamela Rajowski OAM.
SOUTH EAST REGIONAL
GROUP LUNCHEON AT
MOUNT GAMBIER RSL
attended by new branch Chairman Ken Coventry OAM and
Regional Group Convenor Barbara Lees-Margiotta OAM
Ken and Di Coventry gave their new vehicle a run down to Mt
Gambier from Murray Bridge along the Coorong with passenger
Glenys Jones. Local members and friends were served a hearty meal
and then participated in a couple of quirky quizzes with ‘fun’ prizes
for the most correct answers.
The 1864 clipper ship ‘City of Adelaide’ is now at Port Adelaide,
South Australia, having arrived in February 2014. The ‘City of
Adelaide’ is the world’s oldest surviving clipper ship.
Members of the Order of Australia Association SA Branch are
invited to tour the ‘City of Adelaide’ located at Dock One, Port
Adelaide, on Saturday 14 May at 12.00noon followed by lunch
at the Port Dock Brewery Hotel, 10 Todd Street, Port Adelaide,
at 1.00pm. Please arrive at Dock One by 11.50 am. Parking is
available off St. Vincent Street (please see and retain the map
included in Reply Form No. 1). As it is a short 2 minute walk
from the clipper ship to the hotel, there is no need to move your
vehicle prior to lunch.
L-R: Robert Bakewell AO, Joan Bakewell & Charles Miller OAM having a happy time at the
South East Regional Group Luncheon
The tour takes approximately 45 minutes and closed shoes are
required. Members are advised that the ship has some steep stairs
and confined spaces and therefore is not suitable for members
with poor mobility. Cost is $20 per person for the tour. Cost of
the meal at the Port Dock Brewery Hotel is at own expense on
the day.
NB. Members may attend just the lunch if not wishing to tour the
ship. Please indicate this option when responding on Reply Form
No. 1 by Friday, 29 April.
L-R: Pamela Walker OAM & Barbara Lees-Margiotta OAM enjoying the South-East
Regional Group Luncheon
PAGE 15
SA BRANCH CHRISTMAS MORNING
TEA IN THE BALLROOM OF
CARCLEW ARTS, NORTH ADELAIDE
Patron of Carclew, Marjorie Fitz-Gerald OAM thanking Nicki Vasilakis, Adelaide Festival
Youth Patron and well-known violinist, who played for the gathering of members and friends
during a sumptuous morning tea provided by Vili Milisits OAM and Rosemary Milisits OAM.
Conversation and Christmas Fun. L-R: Barbara
Medhurst OAM, Lois Brock OAM and Rev Bob
Macintosh OAM at the Christmas Morning Tea of the
SA Branch on 2 December 2015.
Di Coventry and Rosemary Milisits waiting for Father
Christmas at the Christmas Morning Tea of the SA Branch
held on 2 December 2015 at Carclew, North Adelaide.
BRANCH SNIPPETS
BUSHFIRE APPEAL
Communities in the Pinery mid-north area of South Australia
experienced a horrific bushfire recently. At the OAA Christmas
Morning Tea a raffle was held and the Branch Committee decided
to dedicate the proceeds to the Bushfire Appeal. Some $255 was
raised from the raffle and donations of a further $25 were made
by members, resulting in a donation of $280 being forwarded
through the Country Women’s Association [CWA]. Well done to
our members.
INVESTITURE RECEPTION
At our AGM on 15 November 2015, incoming Chairman Ken Coventry presented a plaque to
John in recognition of his service to the SA Branch – two years as Treasurer and three as Chairman.
PROFILE OF A COMMITTEE MEMBER
PROFESSOR
JOHN MCKELLAR AM ED
Immediate Past SA Branch Chairman John McKellar was Professor
of Chemistry and Assistant to the Deputy Vice Chancellor
[Administration] at Charles Sturt University before retiring to care
for his wife who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. After
moving back to Adelaide to place Elizabeth in a drug trial program,
John joined the Board of SA Alzheimer’s Association serving some
12 years as President and 5 years as National Vice President in
Federated Alzheimer’s Australia.
During his professional career, John served in various roles including
Chairman of the Bathurst Orange Development Corporation (BODC)
Consultative Committee, Member of the Scientific Industries
Steering Committee [SCIC], 26 years as Chairman of the RACI
Charter and Bylaws Committee, joint Chairman of the Federation of
Asian Chemical Societies [FACS] Education Working Group, and as
a UNESCO Travelling Fellow investigating and reporting on the state
of chemical instrument use and maintenance in South East Asia.
PAGE 16
The Branch will be holding a reception for the Australia Day 2016
recipients. At the time of writing this report, both the date and
location of the reception are unknown. However, discussions have
commenced with Local Government about the possibility of holding
receptions with a Council or Councils.
MULTI FAITH CELEBRATION
The previously held annual Celebration did not occur on Australia
Day 2016. The Branch Committee attempted to contact members
who have previously attended. The Celebration is planned for
November this year as part of Multi Cultural week. Further
information will be available as the planning proceeds.
STUDENT CITIZENSHIP
AWARDS 2016
Invitations will be sent in February to all Principals who have year
11 and 12 students [over 230 schools and colleges] inviting their
participation in the Awards for 2016. Members are invited to be
Ambassadors for the Awards by speaking with Principals and senior
staff from schools and colleges in their community regarding their
participation. Please contact Ken Coventry OAM on the SCA email
address [email protected] or Pamela Rajkowski OAM
on [email protected] or Ken on 0428 999 483 or by post to
Ken at 54 Thiele Rd, Murray Bridge East 5253 should you seek
more information.
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
TRIBUTES FOR PAST MEMBERS AND THEIR MILESTONES
William Thomas (Bill) Cooper AM (1932 – 2015)
A highly respected businessman and philanthropist, fourth-generation brewer who was very passionate about the family business. He
attended Prince Alfred College from 1940 to 1950, often catching a ride to school from the family home at Statenborough Street in
Leabrook on a brewery horse-drawn wagon. Winning a Commonwealth University scholarship, he attended the University of Adelaide
for two years in the early 1950s but left academic study to pursue a life on the land. Working initially as a jackaroo at Normanville, Bill
began work on a mixed farm at Mt Compass that he owned with his father Tom, but for reasons of family succession, joined Coopers
Brewery in early 1960. He became managing director in 1977, a position he held for close to 25 years. Bill stepped down as managing
director in early 2002. He retired as a director in October 2009. In other roles, he worked as a councillor and alderman for the City of
Burnside for 10 years and served on the boards of Queen Victoria Hospital, MMI General Insurance, Adelaide Bottle Company, Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, and the Oakbank-based J and AG Johnston family company of hotels. With four fellow investors, he started
Adelaide Stereo FM Ltd. In 1980, and after the acquisition of more stations, the Austereo radio network was formed with Bill as chairman.
Recognised with an SA Great Award for Business in 1991, he was presented with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993 for services
to the community and to local government.
The Hon Dr John Charles Bannon AO (1943-2015) BA, LLB (Adelaide), PhD (Flinders)
and DUniv (Adelaide)
John Bannon was farewelled with a State Funeral in a crowded St Peter’s Cathedral attended by former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard
and Bob Hawke, and Governor Hieu Van Le AO as well as former Governor Sir Eric Neal AO and many past and present politicians.
Representatives of various government agencies, corporations, and sporting, cultural, welfare and charitable organisations filled the
main body of the Cathedral. Old Scholar of St Peter’s College 1950-1961, John Bannon was School Vice-Captain and a School Prefect in
1961. He graduated in Arts and Law from the University of Adelaide. In 1977 he was elected the Member for Ross Smith in the House
of Assembly to 1993 and served as a Minister in the Dunstan and Corcoran Labor Governments, and Opposition Leader in 1979. He led
the Labor Party to victory in 1982, becoming SA’s second longest-serving Premier. Dr Bannon served as the 7th Master of St Mark’s College
from 2000-2007 with distinction. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007 for service to politics, the South Australian
Parliament and the community through various and many organisations. As an Adjunct Professor in Law, Dr Bannon’s contribution to the
wider community regarding constitutional history and Federal/State relations has been enormous. A passionate and tireless supporter of
both football and cricket in South Australia, John Bannon was a former number one ticket holder for North Adelaide Football Club and
served on the inaugural Board of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority.
Robert (Bob) Hill-Ling AO (1933- 2015)
Former Managing Director and Chairman of Hills Limited with a commitment to serving this
company for over 50 years. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1981
for services to industry and the community. His leadership expertise saw him appointed to
the boards of numerous companies, including Argo Investments Limited, and the only South
Australian on the Commonwealth’s new Parliament House Construction Authority in the
1980s. Bob was a foundation member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an
honorary Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia and director of several charities and
not-for-profit boards over many years including Bedford Industries Limited and the Carrick
Hill Trust. Bob was passionate about corporate responsibility and was widely acknowledged
for his contribution to the universities in South Australia. A service was held at St Peter’s
Cathedral, North Adelaide, to celebrate his life.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the above members and to the families of
the other recipients (below) who we have lost since our last edition of THE ORDER – each
contributed to his/her own community.
BAILEY, Harold John AM
KLUGE, Michael J OAM
BATH, John Lyle (Jack) OAM
LAWRENCE, Betty Irene OAM
BERZZARINS, Gunars Eizens OAM
LEANE, Robert Raymond AM, O StJ
BLAIKIE, David AM
LEE, David Douglas OAM
CARRIG, Ian Lindsay OAM
MORROW, Emma Isobella (June) AM
DAVID, Richard Hasse OAM
POLLARD, Clarence Charles OAM
FLETCHER, Ian Arch OAM
SMART, Dr Lawrence Maxwell AM
FORSYTH, Helen Campbell RN, RSCN, PSM
THOMAS, Donald David OAM, C StJ, JP
HURN, Brian Morgan OAM
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
OFFICE-HOLDERS
AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Patron
His Excellency the Honourable
Hieu Van Le AO,
Governor of South Australia;
Chairman
Mr Ken Coventry OAM;
Immediate Past Chairman
Professor John McKellar AM ED;
Secretary
Mr Rob Clyne OAM;
Treasurer and Deputy Chairman
Mr Anthony Metcalf OAM;
Branch Membership Officer and
Regional Co-ordinator
Mrs Glenys Jones OAM;
tel. 0409 848 746
e-mail [email protected]
or write
PO Box 426, Kent Town SA 5071
Committee Members
Ms Jan Forrest OAM
Ms Pamela Rajowski OAM
Mrs Elizabeth Rogers OAM
PAGE 17
LAST FUNCTION FOR 2015 – FLEURIEU GROUP BBQ
LUNCHEON AT HOME OF WALTER & HELEN STAMM
L-R: Jenny Way, Roly Bartlett OAM and Ross Swayne OAM having a happy get-together at the Fleurieu Group BBQ Luncheon
L-R: Group Convenor Jocelyn Bayly OAM,Walter Stamm
AM and Jean Bruce wife of Bob Bruce OAM enjoying the
Fleurieu Group BBQ Luncheon
STATUS REPORT – AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Dated 15 Dec. 2015
The South Australian [SA] Branch has been concerned that the Honours System [the Order of Australia] has been overlooked in the Australian
Education Curriculum. The National Board has a policy supporting inclusion of the Honours System in the Curriculum, and other State
Branches have advised of their support for the initiative of the SA Branch seeking its inclusion.
A status report was included in the last edition of ‘The Order’. Since then a reply has been received from Dr Tracey McAskill, Manager
Curriculum – Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA].
We have been made aware previously “that changes can be made during the year to content elaborations [which are examples of learning that
teachers may draw on when planning lessons]. Content elaborations do not require Board approval”.
The following are relevant extracts from an email sent by Dr McAskill to Gregor Ramsey AM, Chair of the SA Branch Working Party.
“I am pleased to inform you that the revised Australian Curriculum for the Humanities and Social Sciences (including Civics and Citizenship)
has now been endorsed by the Education Council. The revised Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum now includes a number of
elaborations that make direct reference to the Australian Honours System, including how decisions about the Order of Australia are made.
Examples
Year 3 – includes investigating an individual’s contribution and why it was recognised [eg. an individual who was awarded an Order of Australia];
Year 5 – includes conducting surveys to gather primary data eg. interviewing recipients of awards such as Order of Australia Medals;
Year 6 – includes relating the decisions made by individuals and organisations to criteria used to evaluate options eg. the criteria for
Australian of the Year, for the award of the Order of Australia,…considering notable individuals in Australian public life across a range of fields
………………. the Australian Honours list.
Year 9 - includes discussing how the Australian Honours System recognises, celebrates and says thank you to those who make a difference
and serve others; investigating how the Australian Honours System works, including the types of awards and how they are announced and
presented; applying criteria used to make judgements in civic contexts eg. Awards for the Order of Australia, Australian of the Year, …..
And finally, the need for strengthening representation of the Australian Honours system has been identified as an issue in the 2014-15
Monitoring Report. According to the Curriculum Development Process, the issues raised during the monitoring process will be considered
when the curriculum undergoes a formal evaluation”.
---------------------------------------To date we see a change in the content elaborations [information resources for teaching staff]. We now look forward to part 2 – the strengthening
of the representation of the Australian Honours within the Curriculum itself following the monitoring report. These outcomes will be of interest
to all State Branches and all members across our nation. The Curriculum has relevance in all States and Territories.
Ken Coventry, OAM, JP.
PAGE 18
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
The Order of
Australia Association
30th National Conference, Sydney
March 11–13, 2016
Plain Sailing
PAGE 19
30th National Conference, Sydney
March 11–13, 2016
PlainSailing
Registration
(ABN 400 086 163)
Person One
Title
Please make checques payable to:
THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION –NSW BRANCH 2016
Surname & Post Nominal
Total amount payable:
Given name
Please attach your checque to this registration form.
Payment Advice
Person Two
by mail: Ms Colleen Wardell OAM
Title
81 Tuckwell Road, Castle Hill, NSW, 2154
by email: [email protected]
Surname & Post Nominal
Phone: 02 9680 2618
Given name
Address
ABN: 4000861663
Please retain a copy of this registration as your tax invoice
Suburb / Town
State
Postcode
Email
Phone
Fax
Please advise of any dietary or mobility needs
E&OE
PAGE 20
NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF Sydney
THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
30th NationalTHEConference,
March 11–13, 2016
Back toBasics
Programme
Please select your programme options for each person below:
P1
A
P2
Total Cost
Accommodation
Conference Registration Fee: $79.00 per person
Members arrange accommodation direct with
venue of their choice.
Friday March 11, 9 AM – 3PM
Castlereagh Inn, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney
02 9284 1000 – Conference Registration venue
REGISTRATION • Conference HQ
Castlreagh Inn (169 Castlereagh St)
Swissotel, Market St, Sydney
Harmony Room (Hospitality for your enjoyment at nil cost)
1800 334 888
B 3.30pm Champagne reception ($55.00 pp)
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Sheraton-on-the Park, Elizabeth St, Sydney
Vice Regal (lounge suit)
02 9286 6000 (opposite Hyde Park –
Oration
adjacent to Doltone House)
C 7.00pm Organised Dining ($75 pp)
Medina Apartments, 1 Hosking Pl, Sydney (Martin Place)
• Alfredo (Italian)
02 9224 6400
16 Bulletin Place (02 9251 2929)
• Kobe Jones (Californian / Japanese)
Enquiries and assistance
29 Lime Street (02 9299 5290)
Your personal members support:
24 hours direct: 0418 100 927
Saturday March 12
Optional Tours
D The Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George St, Sydney
Thursday March 10 (8:30—4:00 PM)
10.00am AGM
A Tobruk Sheep Station
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Members Forum
Includes coach, morning tea,
12.00pm–4.00pm Government House
lunch and tour ($96 pp)
Built in 1845, this historic house overlooking
Sydney Harbour is open to visit at your leisure
E
Monday March 14 (8:30—4:00 PM)
7.00pm Annual Dinner (Lounge Suit, $120.00 pp)
B The Bradman Museum and Cricket Hall of Fame
Includes coach, entry, morning tea,
Sunday March 13
light luncheon ($86 pp)
F Christ Church St. Laurence, 812 George St, Sydney
Total of registration costs + above costs: $
10.30am Multifaith Service
Wreath Laying Ceremony
11.30am Refreshments ($35.00)
Farewell – but not goodbye
Total of above costs:
$
E&OE
PAGE 21
Sydney Tours
Tobruk Sheep Station
Tobruk is 100% Australian family owned
and operated. Members of our friendly and
dedicated team will welcome you upon arrival
who love meeting and talking to guests.
Owners and their representatives are often
on site and will frequently be involved in the
days activities. Tobruk is an authentic
rural and outback experience, located
70 minutes from the Sydney CBD.
Website: www.tobruksheepstation.com.au
The Bradman Museum
and International Cricket Hall of Fame
It was Sir Donald Bradman’s vision that
‘cricket continue to flourish and spread its
wings. The world can only be richer for it.’
To honour this vision, the museum has been
expanded to not only show the importance
of the Don’s contribution to cricket and
Australian history, but also cricket’s role
throughout the world. As one of the world’s
most popular sports, cricket has the capacity
to bring different cultures and nations together.
The Musuem recognises this potential.
The Bradman Museum & International
Cricket Hall of Fame is located in Bowral
at the heart of the Southern Highlands in
New South Wales. Located just 90 mins
drive from Sydney and 100 mins from
Canberra, the Musuem is a must see
attraction for any visitor.
Website: www.internationalcrickethall.com
Back to Basics
PAGE 22
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Chairman’s Report
Having been elected as the Western Australia Branch Chairman
in November 2015 I am pleased to report that the Branch
Committee has met, is continuing the programmes of the
Branch, and has planned the activities of the Branch for 2016,
including the receptions for new Honours recipients after the
announcements of awards in the Order of Australia in January
and June, and the Annual Dinner.
We are also to examine whether other social activities of a
different nature should be added to the annual schedule. In this
we will be guided by what the membership has told us in the
survey a few months ago.
The Branch continues its voluntary work at the Western Australia
Police Academy and its work in the southern suburbs to encourage
young people in an understanding of the world of paid employment.
Reviews of operations on both areas are being undertaken.
This brings me to say that what might be our most important
role, ensuring that more worthy Australians are recognised in the
Order, by promotion of nominations by members of the public,
and education about how it is done, is less than we would wish
it to be. So this is another area of activity at which we will be
looking.
All up the Western Australian Branch of your organisation has
plenty to do.
[Editor’s Note: Western Australia Branch advises that finance is
always a challenge and continually looks for ways to increase
income for the Branch.]
Bill Hassell AM
Branch Chairman
GREAT SOUTHERN BRANCH CHRISTMAS FUNCTION
This year, on 29th November 2015, we
attended the Holy Family Catholic church
in Albany. The colour party consisted of
representatives from the Albany Air Force
cadets and Boy Scouts. They carried the
banner and flags, and lead our group as we
processed into the church. Representatives
of the Albany Girl guides also attended. We
were made very welcome by the officiating
priest who asked that three members of
our group assist during the service in
bringing forward the elements of the mass
at the appropriate time. He also invited
our convenor Ken Pech AM to address the
congregation. Ken outlined the ideals of
the Order. He also described the process of
nominating people within the community
and asked the congregation to consider
nominating people that they knew.
Mr Ken Pech AM JP
We then adjourned to the restaurant at
Motel Le Grande, where we have met on
several occasions in the past.
Mrs June Hodgson OAM
For many years now, the Great Southern
group has met before Christmas for an
annual church parade and Christmas lunch.
Our group meets in Albany, on the WA
south coast, but several members live in
outlying areas, so this is a way of keeping in
touch. Some of our members are getting on
in years and are no longer able to travel to
Perth for receptions or other functions.
There were 16 members from Albany and
surrounding areas and partners. We were
also very pleased to welcome several
members from Perth, including Barry Nunn
AO RFD ED, the out-going state convenor
of the Order in WA. Barry reported on the
recent state AGM. He spoke about the
affiliates program for partners of awardees.
He reminded us that we all know people
within our community who are contributing
in various ways and someone should
nominate them.
The toast to Australia was proposed by Tom
Reed OAM and the loyal toast by Laurie
Fraser MBE OAM.
In previous years, our annual gathering has
been capably organised by June Hodgson
OAM. Ken Pech thanked June for her past
efforts. This year June was able to sit back and
enjoy the event without being responsible for
any of the organisation.
Because our group comes from a wide area and
a variety of backgrounds, we were not aware of
the details of each person’s award. After lunch,
we went around the tables and asked each
awardee to stand and mention the reason why
they received their award. We certainly covered
many different groups and occupations. We
had representatives from emergency services
such as marine rescue and St John Ambulance,
services to young people, such as Boy Scouts
and Girl Guides, service to aboriginal people,
service to ex Prisoners of War and their families,
local government, music, Samaritan and many
more. It was obvious listening as members
spoke about their community service, that
since receiving their award, many have not
stopped contributing to their communities but
continue to do so. One of our members is in
her late eighties, but informed us that she still
regularly teaches Sunday school.
We would like to thank the members of
the Order from Perth, who travelled down
to Albany for the weekend, and attended
our gathering.
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR ASSOCIATION
CHECK OUR WEBSITE www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
PAGE 23
POLICE PATRON
SCHEME 2016
WA Branch members have provided
Patrons to the WA Police Recruit
Training at the Police Academy for the
last 14 years. The scheme has proven
of great value to the Police recruits and
is enthusiastically supported by the
WA Police Service. Our Patrons have
the satisfaction of contributing to the
development of the Recruits during their
training period of approximately 28
weeks.
The purpose of the Patron Scheme is “to
provide access to an esteemed member
of the community, who can reinforce
the community expectations of police
officers whilst providing personal advice
and guidance as appropriate”.
New police graduation ceremony attended by patron Michael Bleus front row 3rd from left and police commissioner Karl
O’callaghan 4th left.
Michael Bleus OAM will be taking on the role of coordinator of the scheme in 2016. There are four intakes of Recruit Squads planned
for the period January to June 2016. Patrons are required for these squads.
As has been done in the past, a familiarisation visit to the WA Police Academy will be arranged in January 2016. If you are interested in
becoming a Patron you will be welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity both to observe the WA Police Academy in operations and
to see if becoming a Patron interest you. There is no commitment attached to attending.
“On 15th Dec 2015 the Branch Chairman Bill Hassell and Michael Bleus attended a
meeting with the Academy Principle and Superintendent of Recruitment to discuss the
Police Patrons Scheme.
Both were full of praise for the Scheme and want it to continue. Their message was simple,
they like what we do and they believe it helps the recruits having an unbiased mentor not
associated with the Academy.
WA BRANCH
Office-Holders &
Committee Members
The committees’ message is also simple; please get on board to ensure the continued
viability of this program.
Patron
Her Excellency Hon Kerry Sanderson AO
We are looking for two Patrons for the squads starting April 2016”
Chairman
Bill Hassell AM JP
THREE SCHOOLS CAREER
GUIDANCE PILOT PROGRAM
Secretary
Professor Robin Watts AM
Following our success in assisting King’s College, Kwinana, with its “Aspirational Careers
Guidance Program” for Year 9 students in 2014 we sought the advice of the Kwinana
Industries Council (KIC) regarding its possible extension to other Senior High Schools in
the region. Consequently a conceptual proposal was presented to the KIC’s Senior High
School Principals Group in early 2015.
This led to three schools volunteering to participate in a Pilot Program commencing in 2016.
Planning is currently well under way with the assistance and involvement of the following
instrumentalities:
• Engineering and Automotive Training Council
• Building and Construction Training Fund
• Community Services, Health and Education Training Council
• Earth Science WA
• Kwinana Industries Council
Treasurer
Mr Ian Williams AO
Committee
MAJGEN Barry Nunn AO RFD ED
Michael Bleus OAM
Mark Bonser AO CSC
Bettine Heathcote AM
Professor Odwyn Jones AO
Helen Smith OAM
Terence Barritt OAM
Regional Coordinators
South West Region
Mrs Glenys McDonald AM
Great Southern Region
Mr Ken Pech AM JP
• Curtin University’s Prospective Student Services
Contact Information
The program will extend over the four terms and will include a unique challenge for every
student group to produce its own Class Journal based on all elements of the program inclusive
of the work-site visits. The final Planning Meeting will take place in early March.
[email protected]
PAGE 24
Mail:
PO Box 4222,
MOSMAN PARK WA 6912
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
WA BRANCH OFFICE-HOLDERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Patron
Her Excellency Hon Kerry
Sanderson AO with WA Branch
Chairman Mr Bill Hassell AM JP
at Government House.
Branch Chairman
Mr Bill Hassell AM JP
Bill was born in 1943 of farming
folks, educated in State and
private schools, at the University of Western Australia and at
the University of Reading, UK,
as a Rotary Foundation Graduate Fellow. He practised law
in a firm of which he became a
partner; entered the Parliament
of Western Australia in 1977;
became a Minister in the government of Sir Charles Court; later
in Opposition the Party Leader.
Following resignation from Parliament in 1990 he has worked
in various fields, including as
Western Australia’s Agent General
based in London 1994-1997; ran
the NO campaign in the republic
referendum in Western Australia in
1999; currently serves as Deputy
Mayor in his local authority area.
Secretary
Professor Robin Watts AM
Robin is a Patron for the
November 2015 Police recruit
intake and enjoying the role. Robin is also involved in a
number of other volunteer
activities, including mentoring
at the local high school,
serving as Deputy Chair on
the Board of an NFP Aged
Care facility and as a member
of the WA Committee for the
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, plus continuing
to contribute to the nursing
profession and health care.
Mrs Bettine Heathcote AM
As a Board member at both
State and Federal levels Bettine
has been involved with COTA
(Council on the Ageing) for
over 25 years which included
roles as National President,
Chair of the National Policy
Council,a member of the Planning and Organising Committee
for the International Federation
on Ageing Conference held in
Perth and currently WA representative on the National Policy
Council. Bettine enjoyed her
time as a member of the Organising Committee for the 2015
year National OAA Conference
and would like to become more
involved in the workings of the
WA Branch.
Ian had a career in the mining
and minerals processing industry
with assignments in many parts
of Australia and overseas. He
was a recipient of the AO award
for contribution to Aboriginal
employment in remote regions
of Australia.
Professor Odwyn Jones AO
Odwyn is a Mining Engineer
who has spent most of his
professional life associated with
the education, training and
applied research requirements
of the Minerals Industry.
Mrs Helen Margaret Smith
OAM
Barry is a Chemical Engineer
with 35 years international
experience in the oil and
chemical industries, as well
as a number of years as a
consultant. He also served for
over 40 years in the Defense
Reserves in both Army and
at Headquarters Australian
Defence Force. He has board
experience in private, public
and not-for-profit sectors.
Mark graduated from the Royal
Australian Naval College in 1973,
and is also a graduate of the
Australian Institute of Company
Directors. He commanded three
ships, served as a senior staff
officer in operational headquarters
and future project agencies, and
led four shore headquarters,
including
Coastwatch
and
the Defence College. His
honours and awards include a
commendation for distinguished
service in the first Gulf War, the
Conspicuous Service Cross when
in command of the first combatant
ship to operate with a permanent
mixed gender ship’s company,
and appointment as an Officer
in the Order of Australia for his
command and leadership during
the 2003 war in Iraq.
Treasurer
Mr Ian Williams AO
Wife Sue of 42 years, three adult
children, four grandchildren.
Immediate Past Chairman
MAJGEN Barry Nunn AO
Rear Admiral (Retd)
Mark Bonser AO, CSC
Helen has over 25 years
experience in the Health
Industry. She was involved
with the establishment of and
a former Director of the Eye
Surgery Foundation (Australia)
PTY LTD. For several years she
was a Fellow of The Australian
Institute of Management. Helen
is a Rotary International Paul
Harris Fellow. At present she is
a Member of The Management
and Foundation Board of
“Visibility” ( formerly named
Association for The Blind WA.
Mr Terence A Barritt OAM
The business life of Terry Barritt
has been a mix of mineral
exploration, mine production
and agriculture. His first
25 years were spent in the
employment of a large bauxite
and aluminium production
company. The second half of
his working life has been in
agriculture where he is the
proprietor of a broad acre
private company producing
grain, wool and livestock.
Mr Michael Bleus OAM
Michael matriculated in 1967 and
commenced flying commercially
in 1969.
Michael joined the Royal Flying
Doctor Service WA Section in
1973 and has been based at
Carnarvon, Port Hedland and
currently at Jandakot.
“A young pilots dream is to join
an airline, I was offered a position
with Trans Australian Airline
(TAA), but decided to remain with
the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
“Having decided that with my love
of flying, working for the Royal
Flying Doctor Service, I was
able to help people outside the
metropolitan area receive better
medical attention.
This became my goal in life”.
Michael has held several
managerial roles with the Royal
Flying Doctor Service, Senior Pilot
at the Port Hedland and Jandakot
bases, Training and Checking Pilot
and an Approved Testing Officer.
Michael is currently the Chief Pilot
a role he took on in 1999.
PAGE 25
NEW SOUTH WALES
Chairman’s Report
On the 25th November, 2015, I had
the honour and privilege of being
elected Chairman of the NSW Branch
Committee. At the outset, I would like to
pay tribute to former Chairman, Mr Ron
Sharpe OAM, for the outstanding and
hard work he put into the position during
his term of office.
Together, with our Committee Members, we can look forward
to an exciting and rewarding twelve months ahead. I would like
to thank all our members and their guests who, throughout the
year, have continued to support our many events and functions,
and will, I trust, continue to do so in the future.
It was my privilege to have held the position of Deputy Chairman
and Events Manager over the past few years. As Events Manager,
I had the extremely rewarding position of organising and running
our events along with other Committee Members, including the
very successful Investiture Luncheons for new recipients
held twice a year at the NSW Parliament House.
With the help and assistance of our members, we continue
to support our Branch’s favourite youth charities namely: The
Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and The John Lincoln Youth
Community Service Awards Scheme.
I thank all our 16 Regional Groups for their hard and tireless
efforts throughout the year, and look forward to seeing you all in
the near future. All Regional Groups do an outstanding job, and
I congratulate each and every one of you.
Our Committee is here to support and look after the wishes of
all our members and we would like to hear from any of you,
particularly in relation to events or functions we can conduct
over the coming year.
John Archer OAM
Chairman
The Order of Australia Association – NSW Branch
9 December 2015
COMING EVENTS:
Friday, 26 February 2016
Southern Highlands Regional Group: Annual Cocktail Party
5.30pm to welcome new Awardees of 2015. Bradman Museum
and Cricket Hall of Fame, Bowral. All welcome. Further details
Virginia Adlide OAM Tele. 02 4861 1331, Mob. 0419 214 603,
e-mail: [email protected]
Friday, 8 April 2016
Australia Day 2016 Award Recipients Luncheon Parliament House.
12.45pm – 2.15pm. Further details Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob. 0429
274 759 or e-mail: [email protected]
(Late) April 2016 – Celebration to commemorate
H.M. Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday.
Date and details to be confirmed on OAA – NSW Branch website
or from Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob. 0429 274 759 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Friday, 27 May 2016
Illawarra Regional Group: Mid-year Luncheon Dapto Leagues
Club, Dapto. All welcome. Further details Lyn Wilson OAM
e-mail: [email protected]
Wednesday, 27 July 2016
Annual Luncheon Parliament House – All welcome. Further
details Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob. 0429 274 759 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Thursday, 8 September 2016
Queen’s Birthday 2016 Award Recipients Luncheon Parliament
House – Thursday. 12.45pm – 2.15pm. Further details Malcolm Kerr
OAM Mob. 0429 274 or e-mail: [email protected]
September 2016
Multifaith Service: Great Synagogue, Sydney. Date and details to
be confirmed.
Thursday, 27 October 2016
Guest Speaker Morning Tea Parliament House Theatrette. Further
details Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob. 0429 274 759 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Illawarra Regional Group: Annual Luncheon Dapto Leagues
Club, Dapto. All welcome. Further details Lyn Wilson OAM
e-mail: [email protected]
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
OAA – NSW Branch AGM/Morning Tea York Function Centre
Further details Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob. 0429 274 759 or e-mail:
[email protected]
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
Pre-Christmas Yum Cha, Emperor’s Garden, 96 Hay Street,
Haymarket. Further details Malcolm Kerr OAM Mob 0429 274
759 or e-mail: [email protected]
FAR SOUTH COAST REGIONAL GROUP
A very pleasant gathering of friends enjoyed Morning Tea at the Bega Heritage Centre in
October. An unexpected informative talk from a tourist visitor to the Centre spoke about
his experiences on the tallship the “Spirit of New Zealand”. Guests enjoyed his talk very
much and thanked him for taking the time to chat with our Group.
The Group photo was taken and goodbyes made. Everyone is looking forward to the
celebration of our fifth anniversary next year of the forming of our Far South Coast
Regional Group. We are looking forward to this being held in the historic village of
Nelligen and all are welcome to attend.
Back Row: L-R: Dr. Paul Windle OAM, Dane Waites, Margo Douch OAM, Murray Douch
Middle Row: L-R: Edna Duncanson OAM, JuneeWaites OAM,AudreyWindle, Ron Stafford OAM
Front Row: L-R: Jenny Butt, Doreen Stafford
PAGE 26
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
RIVERINA REGIONAL GROUP ANNUAL LUNCHEON
The Riverina Regional Group held its annual Luncheon on Saturday, 5 September in the
‘Elements’ Restaurant in the Wagga Wagga beautiful Botanic Gardens. Forty guests were
in attendance with some travelling in from Tumut, Henty, and Culcairn. Among the group
were James Hayes OAM and his wife, Karen, in what was the first time they attended the
function. Marge Smith OAM, Joy Jacobs OAM, May Doon OAM, and Albert Manning
OAM also travelled to Wagga Wagga for this special event.
Brian Favero OAM, Riverina Regional Group Convenor, welcomed all to the Luncheon
and thanked those who travelled long distances to be present. Father Wilf Plunkett said
grace, and all shared in a delightful meal.
Ron Sharp OAM, NSW Branch Chairman travelled from the Central Coast to be in attendance
and also to be Guest Speaker. Garth Doyle OAM, NSW Branch Regional Groups Coordinator
travelled from Russell Vale on the South Coast to be present on the day.
Ron Sharpe OAM, May Doon OAM, Brian Favero OAM
Ron Sharpe gave a wonderful introduction to Katelyn Vietch, who, last September, was a recipient of a John Lincoln Youth Community
Service Award presented by the Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSO (Retd) at
Government House. Katelyn, a Student of Tumut High School was nominated by her School Principal to be considered for this award. The
John Lincoln Youth Community Service Awards Programme was instigated by, and is conducted by the Order of Australia Association – New
South Wales Branch for annual nomination of Years 11 and 12 students throughout the State.
Special thanks went to Brian Favero OAM for his commitment and dedication to organizing this yearly gathering. All were wished a
safe journey home, and they looked forward to the event again next year.
OCTOBER
MORNING TEA
ILLAWARRA REGIONAL GROUP
2015 ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Regional Convenor John O’Dwyer warmly
welcomed 64 members and guests to our 2015
Annual Luncheon which was held at Dapto
Leagues Club on Saturday 21st November, 2015.
Among those welcomed were NSW Branch
Chairman Ron Sharpe OAM, Professor Yew-Chaye
Loo AM and his wife, Ruay. The Professor and
his wife are at present visiting our area but plan
to move here to live. John also welcomed a new
recipient, Robert Carroll, and his wife Pushpa and
our Guest Speaker Harry Sprintz OAM
John Archer OAM, Pat Richardson OAM Guest Speaker,
Colleen Wardell OAM.
Our Annual Morning Tea was held at
NSW Parliament House on 29 October,
2015. Our Guest Speaker was published
author, Pat Richardson OAM, who gave
an inspiring talk based on letters received
from World War I Australian Army nurse
from Queensland, Queenie Avenell.
Queenie answered the call in 1915 nursing
our wounded at Gallipoli and going on
to serve in war zones in Egypt, France,
England, and on transport ships.
Prof.Yew Chaye Loo AM, John O’Dwyer OAM, Lynn
Wilson OAM, Robert Carroll OAM, Harry Sprintz OAM.
Following a delightful meal Brian Mackander OAM introduced Guest Speaker, Harry Sprintz
OAM who shared his various life experiences. A vote of thanks was given by Jim Lyon who
also presented Harry with a gift and a Certificate of Appreciation.
Those who attended, once again expressed their delight with both the food and the venue.
Our Functions for 2016 are as follows:Mid-Year Luncheon
Friday, 27th May 2016.
Annual Luncheon
Saturday, 19th November 2016.
Both functions will be held at the Dapto Leagues Club – Bong Bong Street, Dapto.
Our Committee for 2015-16 is:
John O’Dwyer OAM
Brian Mackander OAM
Bill James OAM
Lynn Wilson OAM
Jim Lyon OAM
Bill Seay OAM
Phil Thompson OAM
Regional Convener
Deputy Regional Convener
Treasurer
Secretary
Committee
Committee
Committee
OAA (NSW) MEMORABILIA FOR SALE
Item Price incl. P/H
Neckties Traditional style $27.00 Pens $12.00
Neckties Corporate:Maroon/Black/White $27.00 Association Brooches $17.00
Neckties Corporate: Navy/Aqua/White $27.00 Association lapel badges $17.00
$40.00
Neckties New Style $27.00 Cufflinks (boxed) Scarves (Chiffon) Navy $32.00 Car Stickers (57mm x 78mm) $ 6.00
Please mail your order and accompanying cheque payable to ‘The Order of Australia
Association NSW to:
Mrs S Vidoni OAM, 68 Carlisle Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Telephone (02) 9550 0049 for further information
MULTI FAITH
The historic St Stephen’s
Church in Macquarie Street,
Sydney, was the location for
our Multi Faith Service held
on 27 September, 2015. It was
a splendid service followed by
a most enjoyable morning tea
presented by church members.
Amongst those present at
the service was our National
Chairman, Mr. William Galvin
OAM and his wife, Elizabeth.
PAGE 27
NSW BRANCH
OFFICE-HOLDERS
AND COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Mark Mudford Guest Speaker, ColleenWardell OAM, JohnWardell,
Ruby Riach OAM
Peter Smith OAM,Tracy Moroney, Steve Moroney, Jill Moroney,
Molly Moroney, David Evans OAM
DUBBO GROUP’S
ANNUAL
LUNCHEON
NEW ENGLAND
– NORTH WEST
REGIONAL GROUP
Students from the Dubbo Macquarie
Conservatorium String Ensemble supplied
music to entertain the guests on arrival.
Order of Australia Association (NSW)
New England North West Regional Group
Members, friends and guests gathered at
the Longyard Golf Clubhouse, Tamworth,
Sunday 18th October 2015 for a fellowship
Morning Tea. Thirty people enjoyed the
opportunity to have a yarn, to meet old and
new friends, and to enjoy the sandwiches
and (especially) the small cakes.
On Saturday, October 17th a Group of forty
eight award recipients and their families
and friends met at the Dubbo RSL Memorial
Club Dining Room and welcomed visitors
from Sydney, Orange, Wellington, Trangie,
Narromine, Peak Hill and Warren.
A few years ago, a young man from
Gilgandra was awarded a NSW Branch
scholarship to take the trip with the Young
Endeavour Sail Training Programme. It was
pleasing to all to be able to welcome Mark
Mudford and his partner, Isabel Ferrandos
and to hear first hand of his experiences and
the impact that the trip has had on his life.
That experience led to other challenging
encounters for him which he was pleased
to share with the group.
The Committee appreciated the presence
of Mrs Collen Wardell OAM and Dr John
Wardell who travelled from Sydney to join
the Group and Mr Garth Doyle OAM who
came to support the Group.
Continuing the theme of ‘showcasing youth’,
two very talented senior students, Billie Palin
and Nathan Bryon, from Dubbo College
took time out from HSC studies to present
a short vocal programme to conclude the
proceedings of a very happy event for Dubbo.
The opportunity was taken to recognise
Mike Moroney AM for his outstanding
service to the community. Mike was
called to higher service, 15th March 2015.
Mike’s widow Jill Moroney, son Steve,
daughter-in-law Tracy and grand-daughter
Molly were invited guests. Convener
David Evans OAM and Treasurer Peter
Smith OAM shared stories about Mike,
and detailed his contribution to the many
local and regional community groups.
Mike was the OAA NENW Regional
Group Convener for many years.
Planning for a future luncheon is in hand
– Saturday 8th October 2016 at the BAE
Systems Flight Training school Dining
Room (Tamworth Airport), with a Guest
Speaker. Confirmation of these details
will be circulated to members closer to
the date, however members are asked to
make a note of this date in their diary.
Kevin (Stack) Haycock OAM
YUM CHA
Our Annual pre-Christmas Yum Cha was held on 2 December 2015 at the popular “Emperor’s
Garden”, Chinatown, Sydney. Forty-five members and guests enjoyed sumptuous Chinese fare
and lively conversation. Our guest speaker was National Chairman, Mr. William Galvin OAM.
REGIONAL GROUP CONVENERS
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury/Nepean
Mr Lindsay J Callaghan OAM (02) 4739 4128
Central Coast Mrs Patricia Slattery OAM (02) 4341 3188
Central West Mrs Audrey Hardman OAM (02) 6367 5034
Clarence/Richmond Mr Don Johnston OAM (02) 6628 0055
Coffs Coast Vacant
Dubbo Miss Ruby Riach OAM (02) 6882 0658
Far South Coast Mrs Jennifer Butt OAM (02) 4474 5816
Hastings/Macleay John Ross OAM (02) 6583 1192
Hunter Mrs June Cameron OAM (02) 4954 7005
Illawarra Mr John O’Dwyer OAM (02) 4297 2582
PAGE 28
Patron His Excellency General the
Honourable David Hurley AC DSC
(Retd.)
Chairman
Mr. John Archer OAM
Mob. 0407 919 235
Dep. Chairman
Mr. Peter Falk OAM
Mob. 0411 141 103
Hon. Secretary
Mrs Colleen Wardell OAM
(02) 9680 2618
Hon. Treasurer
M. Peter Falk OAM FCA F Fin
Mob. 0411 141 103
Committee Members
Mr Garth Doyle OAM
(Regional Groups Co-ordinator)
Mob. 0409 850 511
Mr Andrew Gullotta OAM
Mob. 0418 440 680
Rear-Admiral Tony Hunt AO RAN (Rtd)
(Young Endeavour Co-ordinator)
(02) 9332 4976
Mr Peter King AO
(02) 8904 1110
Mr King Lee OAM
(02) 9265 6499
Mr Jim McAlpine AM
(John Lincoln Youth Community
Service Awards Co-ordinator)
(02) 4869 3013
Mrs Silvana Vidoni OAM
(Merchandising Officer)
(02) 9550 0049
Mr. Ian McKnight OAM
Mob. 0407 598 588
Mr. Edward Selwyn OAM Mob.
0488 601 480.
Co-op t
ed M em b er
Mrs Mary Doughty AM
(Documents Archivist)
(02) 9419 7062
Manning Wing Commander Greg Hartig AM (Retd) (02) 6556 3158
New England North/West Mr. Kevin (Stack) Haycock OAM 0429 654 300
Riverina Mr Brian Favero OAM (02) 6922 6087
Shoalhaven Mr. Rod Gibb OAM (02) 4446 0226
Southern Highlands Mrs Virginia Adlide OAM (02) 4861 1331
Southern Tablelands Mr Mark McRae OAM (02) 6227 5739
NSW Regional Groups Co-ordinator
Mr Garth Doyle OAM 15 Nimbin St
Russell Vale NSW 2517
Tel: (02) 4284 0111
Mob: 0409 850 511
e-mail: [email protected]
NORTH AMERICA
FAREWELL DINNER VICE-PATRON,
AMBASSADOR KIM BEASLEY, WASHINGTON DC
What a wonderful night we had last night, 16 December (2015),
with our Vice-Patron, Ambassador Kim Beasley AC, who hosted
us for one final time; his sixth magnificent banquet for The Order.
Thank you to all who attended, some travelling from Canada, Texas,
New York, and other locations requiring a special trip to Washington
DC for the event. And thanks to all those (either present or not)
who contributed generously for the beautiful antique silver sugar
bowl inscribed with our thanks to the Ambassador. To say Kim was
surprised and touched by our gesture of appreciation to him would
be an understatement.
Photographs of the event are shown here, as well as the sugar bowl,
its inscription, and the card which accompanied the presentation,
naming all those who contributed to it.
Greg Copeley AM
Chairman
The Order of Australia Association – North America Group
Vice Patron, Ambassador Kim Beasley presented with Gift by Greg Copely AM
His Excellency Ambassador the Hon. Kim C. Beazley, AC,
Our host for the evening.
Few people have done so much to actively support the function and
prestige of the Order of Australia as Kim Christian Beazley, and noone has acted so strongly to support the role of the Order and The
Order of Australia Association in North America. Ambassador Kim
Beazley has understood the great function of the Order in not only
rewarding Australians for their contributions to the Nation, but also
in helping as a great diplomatic instrument to cement Australia’s
friendships with key allies around the world.
The Order of Australia Association - North American Group wishes
to thank the Ambassador and his wife, Susie Annus, for their
unstinting support of its activities and for Ambassador Beazley’s
profound contribution to Australia-US relations.
We thank Kim and Susie for their gracious hospitality, friendship,
and service, and wish them the Best of Fortune as they return home.
The Farewell
Vice-Patron’s Dinner
for
The Order of Australia Association
North American Group
Graciously Hosted by
His Excellency the Hon. Kim C. Beazley, AC
The Order of Australia Association
Old Parliament House, King George Terrace,
Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia.
Telephone: +61 (02) 6273 0322
Email: [email protected].
www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au
Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia
to the United States of America
Honourary Vice-Patron, Order of Australia Association
North American Group
North American Group
Chairman: Gregory Copley AM, GCHT*, FRCGS
PO Box 320608, Alexandria, Virginia 22320, USA.
Telephone: 703 909 4167
Email: [email protected]
and Ms Susie Annus
Washington, DC, December 16, 2015
The Order of Australia Association, North American Group
Commemorative Sugar Bowl
for the Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia
to the United States of America,
His Excellency, the Honourable
Kim C. Beazley, AC,
Honourary Vice-Patron of the OAA NAG
The coin-silver sugar bowl, made in Washington, DC,
in 1832 by one of the foremost silversmiths of the city,
Frascati, Italy-born Seraphin Masi (1797-1884),
was hand-engraved in 2015 by Eric Margry.
Presented by the OAA NAG: December 16, 2015.
The following members of the Association subscribed to
present this commemorative silver to Ambassador
Kim Beazley in thanks for his great contributions to the
Association’s North American Group over six years
of outstanding service: 2010-2015.
Gregory R. Copley, AM, Chairman, OAA NAG
Ambassador Richard Armitage, AC (Hon.)
Nana Booker, AM
John Claringbould, AM
Peter Cooke, OAM
Thomas Corcoran, OAM (Hon.)
Dr. Richard Gibbs, AC
Rear-Admiral Stephen Gilmore, AM
Wendy Hayes, OAM
Leon Hertz, AO
David Hill, AM
Jeanne Liedtke, OAM
Dr. Carolyn McGregor, AM
Sean O’Boyle, AM
General David O. Petraeus, AO (Hon.)
John Mars, KBE, AO (Hon.)
Inger Rice, AM (Hon.)
Dr. Bruce Stillman, AO
To
The Order of Australia Association
North America
PAGE 29
NATIONAL
the King of Prussia, to immigrate to safer
places. George Angas was moved by the
plight of the Lutherans and persuaded
Kavel that South Australia would be a
suitable place for emigration and Angas
provided the generous financial assistance
of $8000 pounds.
Northern entrance to Hahndorf
HAHNDORF
The historic town of Hahndorf, currently
an important tourism spot, previously a
centre for farming and services, lies within
a gentle and undulating expanse of the
Adelaide Hills. It is 28 kilometres SouthEast of Adelaide accessible via the South
Eastern Freeway.
For more than 2000 years the original
inhabitants of the area now known as
Hahndorf were the Peramanghk Aboriginal
people who had named the area ‘Bukartilla’
in reference to the swimming hole created
by several creeks emptying into the
nearby Onkaparinga River. These original
inhabitants hunted marsupials such as
kangaroos and possums supplemented
with edible plants and grubs. Following
European settlement and the advancement
of agriculture, the numbers of the
Peramanghk people declined with little
documented evidence of them after 1850.
Hahndorf was acknowledged as Australia’s
oldest surviving German settlement and
declared a State Heritage area in 1988
by the Government of South Australia. Its
German history can be traced back to 1838
when George Fife Angas, a director of the
South Australian Company, made a trip to
London to promote colonization. During
his trip he met Pastor Kavel who was trying
to help German Lutherans, persecuted by
On the 28th of December 1838 the
“Zebra” carrying 187 German Lutheran
immigrants arrived in Port Adelaide. The
ship’s passengers were unfortunately
unable to disembark from the ship until
the 2nd of January 1839 due to low tide.
The ship’s captain Dirk Hahn, a Dane, had
great respect for the passengers and was
able to negotiate a parcel of land in the
Adelaide Hills to help them achieve their
goal of settling and farming together.
focus. The base of the U-shape design ran
along Main Street and the limbs on North
Lane (now Victoria Street) and South Lane.
The blocks were numbered 1-54 and each
family was provided with a parcel of land
which was large enough for a house, garden
and small farm. 10 years later as the town’s
population grew and additional land was
purchased, a new town plan was prepared
with 100-foot allotments on Main Street
and giving Hahndorf the appearance of a
Strassendorf (street village): a combination
of designs that contributes to the unique
characteristics of Hahndorf today.
Restored building now used as a knife shop
Restored original building in Main Street
The negotiated contract provided 100 acres
of land rent-free for the first year; 19 acres
were allocated for housing and roads and
the remainder for cultivation. Additionally,
settlers were provided with one year’s
provision of seeds and some livestock, on
credit as a communal debt. 14 families that
had previously settled at Klemzig joined
the settlement named Hahndorf (Hahn’s
village) in honour of Captain Hahn who
had assisted the refugees to achieve their
goal.
Due to the First World War in Europe, in
1917 the South Australian Government
changed many German place names. The
name Hahndorf was changed to Ambleside
after the nearby Ambleside railway station.
Hahndorf was re-instated as the town’s
name with the enactment of the South
Australia Nomenclature Act of 1935 on 12
December 1935. There are still references
to the name Ambleside in and around the
town today.
In 1839 the village layout was designed by
Hermann Kook as a U-shaped Hufendorf
of small farmsteads with the Lutheran
Church (now the site of St Michael’s) as the
Saint Paul’s Church
German celebration in Hahndorf
PAGE 30
German influence is very apparent in Hahndorf today and can be clearly recognised
in the traditional fachwerk architecture of
the original surviving buildings. There are
also many restaurants in the town serving
German cuisine. There are two prominent
churches in Hahndorf. St Michael’s is the
oldest Lutheran church in Australia to still
have a worshipping congregation on its
original church site. Founded in 1839.
St Michael’s is a member of the Lutheran
Church of Australia. St Paul’s was founded
in 1846, as a result of a schism between
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
Hahndorf Inn
Pastor Kavel, and Pastor Fritzsche. This
schism was closely linked to the formation
of two Lutheran synods in Australia which
coexisted until their merger in 1966.
Hahndorf has a number of sporting clubs
including Bowls, Netball, Cricket, Australian Rules Football, Tennis, Softball and
Soccer. The Football, Netball, Softball and
Soccer clubs are nicknamed “The Magpies”.
When visiting Hahndorf, the most striking
features are the more than 100-year old
elm and plane trees that line the Main
Street and the original buildings, many
beautifully maintained or restored to
original conditions. While the town retains
its strong German heritage, new, exciting
businesses such as the Chocolate Shop
located near the southern end of the Main
Street, and Udder Delights renowned for
its locally produced cheeses have emerged
adding to the atmosphere of a premium
holiday destination. Hahndorf has a
unique ‘village feel’ about it and the Main
Street is lined with eateries, souvenir and
gift shops, clothing and leather goods, craft
outlets and galleries. There are two hotels
offering authentic German fare and several
cafes, restaurants and smallgoods outlets
making Hahndorf an ideal place for a day
out with family or friends.
Hahndorf-Hill Cellar Door
plenty and range from the basic to the most
modern and chic. This makes Hahndorf the
ideal gateway for a visit to the Adelaide
Hills and surrounding regions including the
Fleurieu Peninsula and Murray Riverland.
While many visitors come to Hahndorf
to get a glimpse of the past, Hahndorf is
increasingly acknowledged for the modern
and the chic and generally a trendy place
to wine, dine or get-together with friends.
Beerenberg Strawberry Farm
your own fruit farm’ and the Farm Barn add
to the attraction of the town. The Cedars,
former home of the renowned Australian
landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen until his
death in 1968 and still remaining in the
family, is open to the public for guided
tours on most days (closed on Mondays
except Public Holidays); the Hahndorf
Academy, which exhibits the works of
local artists and houses the new Visitor
Information Centre, is an essential for
visitors to get into the spirit of Hahndorf.
Accommodation options in Hahndorf are
Hahndorf is a town where you can walk
the past and taste the future, its versatile
offerings means there is something there
for everybody.
Hahndorf Academy
The Chocolate Shop
The Adelaide Hills produces some of the
finest cold-climate wines, world-wide.
There are several Wineries and Cellar doors
located in or near Hahndorf offering wines
and delicious meals prepared using the
finest local ingredients. Beerenberg, a ‘pick
A Hahndorf House
PAGE 31
COVACEVICH, JEANETTE ADELAIDE (1945–2015) (© Queensland Museum)
Jeanette was born in Innisfail in north
Queensland and educated in Brisbane (Brisbane Girls’ Grammar), obtaining degrees
from both the University of Queensland
(BA, 1967) and Griffith University (MSc,
1977). She worked on the curatorial staff
of the Queensland Museum, starting in
1966 and retiring as Senior Curator, Herpetology in 2002. Her research focussed
on the taxonomy and zoogeography of
Australo-Papuan reptiles, especially those
from rainforests, heaths and deserts and
resulted in more than 100 research papers
and the description of 30 species new to
science. She is particularly noted for her
role in documenting the rediscovery of the
Western Taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus,
a dangerously venomous land snake that
was lost to science for almost 100 years. Her
research interests extended to publications
on the palm trees of north Queensland,
Aboriginal and colonial history, and medicine (especially following envenomation
by snakebite). Jeanette was also an active
contributor to the Queensland Museum’s
Exhibitions and Publications Programs,
curating major exhibitions and working on
a number of book projects.
Jeanette was actively involved in the
medical, conservation and scientific
communities. In addition to her work with
the Poisons Information Centre, she was
also a member of the Scientific & Clinical
Immersions Sub-committee (Graduate
Medical Course, University of Queensland,
1996–2002). She was an adviser to the
Department of Environment and Heritage
(distribution, status and conservation of
Queensland reptiles, 1992–2002), sat on
the Scientific Advisory Committee of the
Environmental Protection Agency (1997–
1999), was an adviser to the Rainforest
Conservation Society of Queensland
(1982–1998), Secretary of the Stradbroke
Island Management Organisation (1975–
1984) and was President of the Australian
Society of Herpetologists (1988–1990).
Additionally, she had a long involvement
with the Royal Society of Queensland,
acting as Secretary (1974–79), Councillor
(1984–87, 1994–98) and President (1995)
and was co-convenor of a number of
Royal Society conferences (North Stradbroke Island, 1974; Focus on Stradbroke,
1984; Queensland: The State of Science,
1994; The History of Natural History in
Queensland, 1995 and Exploring our
Genes and Genetic Heritage, 1996).
Jeanette’s varied contributions to science
and to the people of Queensland have been
well-recognised and awarded: 1991, St John
Priory Vote of Thanks (for voluntary teaching
regarding snakes and snakebite over many
years); 1995, Member in the General
Division, Order of Australia (in recognition
of service to science, particularly in the
field of herpetology and to conservation);
2002, Queensland Museum Medal; 2003,
Public Service Medal (for outstanding
public service to the Queensland Museum,
to the wider community and to the people
of Queensland); 2009, The Surgeon-General
John White Medal (for service to health in
its many forms) and 2014, The Heritage
Medal of Paediatric Healthcare (The Royal
Children’s Hospital Brisbane). Her contributions to science are further recognised
in the following eponymic species names:
Terriswalkerius covacevichae Jameson,
1994 (an earthworm from the rainforests
of north-eastern Queensland), Zophorame
covacevichae Raven, 1994 (a mygalomorph
spider from NEQ), Pseudophryne covacevichae Ingram & Corben, 1994 (a broodfrog
from NEQ); Kababina covacevichae Todd
Davies, 1995 (an amphinectid spider from
NEQ) and Oedura jacovae Couper, Keim &
Hoskin, 2007 (a velvet gecko from southeast Queensland).
who met her, often turning chance encounters into lasting friendships. She was excellent company – cheerful, witty and knowledgeable and never afraid to speak her
mind. She asked to be remembered for the
person she was, over and above her professional achievements. She died on the 17th
September, 2015, four months after being
diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Jeanette’s life was celebrated in a memorial
service at the State Library of Queensland
on the 16th of October, 2015, attended by
350 people. A concurrent event took place
in Cooktown, at Nature’s Powerhouse in
the botanic gardens, where more than 100
of her north Queensland friends gathered
to pay their respects to a truly unique individual who stood apart from the crowd in
so many ways.
Jeanette was generous and supportive
to her friends and colleagues alike and
extended a helping hand to anyone seeking
her advice. She left an impression on those
Patrick Couper
Curator – Biodiversity Program
Queensland Museum
South Brisbane
MEMBERS BENEFIT INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLING
The Association is working to develop several international group travel programs for our Members. Travel agencies have indicated
that they need several months-notice to enable them to locate and register with appropriate tour operators. Therefore, before engaging
with appropriate travel agencies we need to know of the level of interest in specific tours or cruises. To assist us in this endeavour
the Board seeks an expression of interest from Members for a number of possible excursions outlined below:
•
•
•
•
River cruising in Europe
Rhine/ Rhone/ Seine
The Battle Fields of World War I
Gallipoli and the Western Front
•
•
•
•
Battle fields of World War II
Fall of the Third Reich
Cruising in South East Asia Region
Cruising New Zealand/.South Pacific
Expression of interest should be directed to the Deputy Chairman, Prof John McKellar AM ED,
22 Coulls Road, Banksia Park, SA 5091 or email: [email protected]
PAGE 32
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
RIO –MEANS MUCH MORE
THAN JUST MEDALS
The RIO Olympic Games in August 2016 will shine like a beacon of
peace in a troubled world.
In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, the
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas
Bach, said “the IOC applauds the General Assembly once more
for recognising sport as an important enabler to foster peace and
understanding”.
Bach spoke of their common goal of “the peaceful development of
humankind”.
“Sport is always about building bridges it is never about erecting
walls” he said.
“In Olympic sport, all people are equal, regardless of their race, gender,
social status, cultural background, faith or belief. This fundamental
principle of non-discrimination allows sport to promote peace and
understanding among all people”.
Bach made special mention of the atmosphere created in the Athlete’s
Village during the Games. “In the Olympic Village, we see tolerance
and solidarity in their purest form. Athletes from all 206 National
Olympic Committees are living together in harmony and without any
kind of discrimination. In what is literally a global Village, the athletes
get to know and understand each other not just on a human level by
sharing their experiences, emotions and meals. They share also their
respect for excellence, victory and defeat”.
These are the principles embraced by the Chef de Mission of the
Australian Olympic Team, Kitty Chiller, as she prepares to lead a Team
of around 450 Australian athletes to RIO.
As the first woman appointed as a Chef de Mission of an Australian
Olympic Team, Chiller has spent the past two years travelling the
country meeting athletes from the different sports and sharing her
vision for the Team.
She has set a goal for her athletes “to be the most respected Team at
the RIO Games”.
“I stress the need for our athletes to show respect and humility, to
show pride in the blazer and understand the standards of behaviour
set by the Olympic legends from Australia who have come before
them. I want the Team to play hard but enjoy themselves and never
lose that larrikin spirit that Australians are renowned for” she said.
Chiller who competed in Modern Pentathlon for Australia at the
Sydney 2000 Games has established a great repour with the athletes
in the Shadow Team for RIO. She is on first name basis with most and
being an athlete she fully understands their needs.
She is focused on the job ahead and is well aware of the challenges
the Team faces in August 2016. There are security issues in RIO with
athletes being robbed at some of the Test events. There are problems
with water pollution, particularly at sailing, triathlon, open water
swimming, rowing and canoe.
The health and wellbeing of the athletes is paramount.
Transport is another major challenge and to avoid traffic jams and
stress on athletes trying to reach their venues, the Australian Team
Executive has decided up to 150 athletes will need to live outside the
Olympic Village and closer to their venues.
The RIO organisers are still racing the clock to have everything finished
on time. In 2013 the President of the Australian Olympic Committee,
and IOC Vice President, John Coates, was critical of the preparations.
The Brazilians reacted badly to his blunt assessment of their progress
at that time. What has now become known as the “Coates touch up,
(CTU)” has gone full circle with RIO Organisers now acknowledging
that the criticism was the “wake up call they needed”.
With the Team split into different sections, particularly rowing and
sailing there is extra pressure on support staff to ensure the athletes are
relaxed and ready to perform.
Late in 2015 the ASPIRE series started. The program will travel around
Australia over the next few months outlining to athletes the Team
Mike Tancred
Agreement they must sign to be a member of the Australian Olympic
Team. During these sessions they are briefed on everything from antidoping, social media, ambush marketing, uniform requirements, tickets
and travel. They are also measured for uniforms.
The AOC is spending $35m on the RIO campaign. $23m to send the
Team to Brazil and another $12m to prepare the Team.
But the Team is not “taxpayer funded”. The AOC neither seeks nor
receives Federal Government funding. The $35m comes from the
generosity of the Olympic sponsors who value the power of the brand
and being associated with the world’s greatest sporting event.
After winning only 35 medals, including 7 gold, at London 2012, Chiller
is quietly confident the Team will lift in 2016 with big improvement in
swimming and sailing, hockey and cycling continuing to do well.
Chiller is hoping rowing and athletics can lift and some of the smaller
sports can gain a place on the medal podium. In Sydney 2000, when
Australia won a record 58 medals, the Team medalled across 20
different sports. For Australia to regain its place in the top five nations
on the medal tally sports like shooting, archery, triathlon, taekwondo,
basketball and water polo need to medal. Chiller is buoyant about the
chances of the two new sports on the program, Rugby 7’s (men and
woman) and golf (men and women).
From a Team prospective, Chiller likes what she saw at the Rugby
World Cup.
“Australians love sport. It’s ingrained in our culture” she said.
“Australians are proud of many things, but perhaps more than any
measure, our national pride is defined by sporting success on the
world stage.
Australians admire our sports men and women who compete hard,
but they admire them even more when they compete with humility.
We saw this on display with the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup.
It wasn’t the results… it was the way they played the game on and off
the field.
Their approach, their attitude was everything. It was ALL about the
Team. They played under a motto of ‘Stronger as One’. They played
for each other, for their Team and for their country.
They thanked their fans at every opportunity. They were as humble in
victory as they were in defeat. And they made no excuses.
As their campaign unfolded, they restored the pride back into the
Wallaby jersey. They managed to capture that essence of sport that
stirs pride. They generated a momentum that swept everyone along
with them.
Our Olympic greats have also done this…. Herb Elliott, Murray Rose,
Dawn Fraser, Betty Cuthbert, Marjorie Jackson, Shane Gould….and
of late Susie O’Neill, the Oarsome Foursome, Ian Thorpe and Cathy
Freeman. These legends set the example. They wore their Australian
blazer with confidence, pride and humility.
They all competed hard - with grit and determination - and they all
conquered the world. But at the end of their race they looked their
opponent in the eye and shook hands - in victory and in defeat.
This is quite simply, the Australian way and this is the way we want to be”.
Mike Tancred
AOC
PAGE 33
FUTURE OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
“Look closer, there is more here than war….What is most
inspiring is that these men devoted their last moments not to
themselves, but to one another. The love might not survive
them, but it is the last thing they would lose. What will be
remembered here and for all time is – love and friendship.”
- Neil Oliver, The Memorial (Eyeworks, 2014)
Although Australia had federated in 1901,
it was not until the First World War broke
out in 1914, followed by the building
of the Australian Imperial Force and the
sending of young Australians overseas
to fight – in an Australian uniform and
with an Australian flag – that this young
country had its own story.
The
Memorial’s
purpose
is
to
commemorate the sacrifice of those
Australian servicemen and servicewomen
who have died in war and on operational
service. Its mission is to assist Australians
to remember, interpret, and understand
the Australian experience of war and its
enduring impact on Australian society.
With the generation who lived through
the Second World War steadily passing
away, the challenge for the Memorial
is to ensure that stories of the 102,700
Australian lives lost – and of a country
indelibly altered – are heard and
understood by future generations.
Thus it is our aim to engage with
young audiences, to ensure our future
generations are aware of their own history,
to encourage them to understand the
commitment and sacrifices that millions
of Australians have made in service and
defence of our country. This is a challenge
the Memorial and its staff, as the
custodians of Australia’s military history,
are meeting on a number of fronts.
That on a single day more than 160,000
people attended Anzac Day ceremonies
at the Australian War Memorial shows
how deeply important this history is to
the Australian community. To maintain
the commitment to honouring those of
whom we are so proud, the Australian
War Memorial strives to find new and
innovative ways to engage and interact
with our audiences so that the purpose
of the Memorial and the extraordinary
stories it carries resonate among future
generations.
This requires embracing technology, both
within the gallery exhibition space and
through modern information pathways, to
build awareness and belief in the Memorial
brand. Digital platforms are increasingly
PAGE 34
being used to present exhibitions and
artefacts such as the interactive Gallipoli
display in the refurbished First World War
Galleries, or the sound-and-light shows in
Anzac Hall, including the film directed by
Sir Peter Jackson.
A partnership between the Memorial and
production company Eyeworks delivered
a five-part observational documentary
series which followed the First World
War Galleries’ redevelopment, explored
behind the scenes of Memorial
operations, and investigated our First
World War history through the stories
of Australian soldiers and their families.
The series was presented by acclaimed
television history presenter Neil Oliver,
and was screened on Foxtel’s History
Channel from November 2014, and
provided the public with an insider’s look
at how the Memorial operates.
The Anzac connections web development
project not only progressively delivers to
the website new digitised materials such
as correspondence and diaries but also
improves online search and discovery,
allowing people around the world to
interact with the Memorial’s collection.
The first 100 items for Anzac connections
were released in December 2013 and
a further 50 items have been added
since the launch. Especially valuable
among this material are the diaries
and letters by commanders, nurses,
Indigenous Australian soldiers, Victoria
Cross recipients, and many ordinary
Australians caught up in the extraordinary
experience of war. In June, Prime Minister
Tony Abbott launched the digitisation of
General Sir John Monash’s remarkable
personal letters and diaries. These are
delivered online with simple, intuitive
navigation, and the Memorial will add
more of these items to the site over the
centenary period.
The personal stories told in the galleries
and exhibitions at the Memorial are
key to a strong emotional connection
between our visitors and our national
story. This has been apparent in the
exhibition Afghanistan: the Australian
Dr. Brendan Nelson AO
story, where both young and old,
veterans and civilians alike, have
laughed and cried at the powerful stories
of personnel who served in Australia’s
longest conflict. I regard the Memorial’s
exhibition of the Afghanistan story as an
essential part of the therapeutic milieu
for those men and women returning to
a country that has little idea of what
they have done in our name. More
than 27,000 Australian Defence Force
personnel, Australian Federal Police, aid
workers, and diplomats have served in
Afghanistan in the more than a decade
of our involvement there. Their story
needs to be told, and, working with
acclaimed journalist Chris Masters, we
have combined objects, multimedia, and
accounts from the veterans themselves
to tell a powerful story about Australia’s
modern military involvement.
The Memorial also seeks to engage
younger generations by directly involving
them in the commemorative activities.
The Commemorative Crosses project
involves schoolchildren who visit the
Memorial inscribing individual crosses
with their personal comments to the
soldiers who gave their lives in war. Some
51,000 crosses have already been sent to
children nationwide, via more than 150
schools and community organisations
participating in the project. More than
24,000 crosses have been sent to 40
embassies overseas to be placed on known
war graves of Australian servicemen and
servicewomen as part of ceremonies
throughout the year, including Anzac
Day and Remembrance Day.
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
Likewise, through the Soundscapes project
visitors can hear the names and ages of
servicemen who died in the First World War
read out by schoolchildren as they move
along the First World War Roll of Honour.
These names and ages were recorded by
year 6 students from around Australia.
This year also marks the return of the
Memorial’s popular Big things in store
open day at our Mitchell facility. An
article published in The Canberra Times
just before the Memorial’s last such event
in 2013 described me as being “like a kid
in a candy shop”, and that is exactly what
it was like for the thousands of happy
visitors we welcomed to our open day in
September 2015. It was a great day out
for the whole family and an excellent
opportunity for the public to see the rare
objects in storage that can’t be displayed
as often as we would like.
Something which suggests, perhaps more
than anything else, that we are on the
right track was the news in 2014 that
the world’s top online travel reviewer,
TripAdvisor, had ranked the Australian
War Memorial as the number one
Australian landmark, ahead of the Sydney
Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef.
At number 17 globally, the Memorial was
the only Australian landmark ranked in
the world’s top 20.
Inscribed in the entrance gallery of the
Memorial are the words of the Memorial’s
founder, Charles Bean: Here is their
spirit, in the heart of the land they loved;
and here we guard the record which they
themselves made.
If the Australian War Memorial can
continue to engage the hearts and
imaginations of future generations on
this global scale, I will consider Charles
Bean’s legacy to be firmly intact.
Dr Brendan Nelson
Director of the Australian War Memorial
EMERITUS PROFESSOR GEORGE
NIGEL ROSS FORTEATH AM JP PHD
Nigel Forteath was born in Shillong, India
on the 10 February 1944 where his father
was a Commanding Officer in an Indian
Gurkha regiment. He and the family left
three years later and returned home to
Scotland. Nigel remembers travelling
with a terrifying nanny and a personal
guard – the country was in turmoil due to
approaching independence. He attended
boarding school and left when he was
aged 18 and then spent a year in Denmark
studying eels and other fish. He returned
to Scotland hoping to work at his father’s
trout farm and to establish an eel fishery
in Scotland.
On returning to Scotland by chance he
met an Australian who was poaching
fish by angling on the wrong bank of
the River Spey. As Nigel chatted with
him, the gentleman invited him to come
to Australia and start a trout farm. Nigel
accepted the challenge and arrived in
Australia in 1969 to find that trout farming
was illegal in New South Wales at that
time! Needing to earn a living, he initially
went fruit picking, then opal mining and
finally obtained a research position with
CSR working on the control of sugarcane
insect pests.
Nigel enrolled at the University of New
England in New South Wales and gained
a BA (Zoology) degree in 1974. During
this period, he met and married Mandy
Caroline Bennett in 1972. He then went
on to obtain a Ph.D. from the University
of Aberdeen in Scotland in 1977. This post
graduate study involved investigating the
macro vertebrate population of the Loch
of Strathbeg, in part by attaching miniature
radio transmitters to numbers of trout
to enable tracking of their movements.
Unfortunately, unknown to Nigel and
the University, the defence Department
had a secret submarine tracking facility
being developed in the area and Nigel’s
transmitters caused a brief but tumultuous
emergency.
In 1983 the Tasmanian Institute of
Technology in Launceston established
an aquaculture course and Nigel was
appointed Foundation Lecturer. In 1991
he became the Professor of Aquaculture at
the northern campus of the new University
of Tasmania. One of his many memories of
that period is of the first student field trip
which was to Low Head at the mouth of
the Tamar River. He was dismayed to find
the students more interested in making
daisy chains than studying the fish life.
Soon after taking up the position at
Launceston, Nigel applied to the
Commonwealth Department of Education
to establish an Aquaculture Key Centre
for Teaching and Research. The reply
refusing his application made a point
of telling him that the word agriculture
is not spelt with a qu! Undaunted, Nigel
applied again in 1987 and was successful
in establishing the first centre of its kind
in the southern hemisphere. There were
initially seven students- when he retired
in 1997 Professor Forteath had around
250 students.
After reading an article in a National
Geographic magazine in 1993, Nigel
became interested to develop a
student project breeding seahorses. He
encountered a great deal of opposition
from some areas of the environmental
movement, but in association with two
local visionaries – Col Ward and Bill
Morris – was key in establishing the
world’s largest seahorse farm and Seahorse
Education Centre at Beauty Point in
northern Tasmania. They further developed
it into a prime tourist attraction. In 2002
Nigel was co-founder of Platypus House
Emeritus Professor George Nigel Ross Forteath AM JP PhD
alongside the Seahorse facility. Platypuses
have never been bred in captivity in
Tasmania, and Nigel is hoping that this
will be another pioneering achievement
for the State.
Nigel Forteath was a recipient of the
Centenary Medal in 2003 and appointed
a Tasmanian Bench Justice in 2004. He
was named Tasmanian of the Year in
1997, the year he officially retired from
the University of Tasmania. He became a
Member of the Order of Australia in 2007.
In retirement, Nigel enjoys gardening
and fishing. He is the author of a
beautiful children’s book on seahorses.
He continues his aquaculture biology
interests, studying aquatic invertebrates
at the local Four Springs Lake reserve,
producing occasional scientific papers
and giving regular public lectures.
Frank Madill AM
PAGE 35
National Membership Director’s Report
It is the beginning of 2016 as I write this so perhaps it is not too late to wish you all a healthy and happy New Year bringing you great
fulfilment.
At the end of 2015 our membership numbers were 8206. Of these we have some 400 members with whom we are unable to
communicate as we have not received any change of address details. With that in mind you will find that the back of the address
cover page of this edition of ‘The Order’ gives members moving house or adding telephone details or email addresses, the opportunity
to notify this information to the National Office of the Association.
It is very exciting that the Order of Australia Association as a whole is planning to launch a National Project within the next 12
months. Every member of the Association will have the opportunity to offer suggestions as what this project should be. This will
give us a National focus and help us all to realise that even though we belong to a State/Territory Branch we are all indeed part of the
National body. This project will be financed by Corporate as well as member donations.
Australia Day is looming, which is a very special day for the Association, with celebrations happening all round Australia, but even
more importantly it is the release of the names of Australia Day 2016 Recipients of National Honour Awards. We hope that each
and every recipient of an Award in The Order of Australia will give serious consideration to joining our Association. Membership of
the Order of Australia Association will be the only ongoing opportunity for new Awardees to enjoy the company of similarly minded
people who have served their communities and country. Read this copy of ‘The Order’ to see what exciting things are happening
in the Branches around Australia.
The National Conference will then be another focus for members from March 11 – 13, 2016 being held in Sydney when members
from all Branches will enjoy the joys of Sydney and the fellowship of members from all over Australia. See the Conference Information
Brochure and Registration Form which is ‘centrefold’ in this magazine.
With very best wishes to all members and their families.
Jane Arthur AM
National Membership Director
OLIVER SHAUL SCHOLARSHIP
SENDS TAFE NSW APPRENTICE
CHEF TO CANADA
TAFE NSW apprentice chef Kyle Vaughan will be swapping t-shirts for snow
gear as he heads to Canada in January to complete a three-month stint in
leading international restaurant Raymonds, in Newfoundland – thanks to the
Oliver Shaul Scholarship.
Oliver C. Shaul OAM
The TAFE NSW Oliver Shaul Scholarship is awarded on an annual basis, by
leading professionals in the industry including Head Chefs and Restaurateurs,
with Kyle being the 27th recipient.
Raymonds is collaboration between head Chef Jeremy Charles and restaurant manager and sommelier Jeremy Bonia. Kyle says:
“The chance to work for Jeremy Charles and the restaurant will allow me in the future to draw upon his methods and knowledge as
inspiration and a guide to my future cooking and career.”
The TAFE NSW Oliver Shaul Scholarship was established in 1988 to offer “an opportunity of a life time” to final year Commercial
Cookery apprentices. The Scholarship provides winners the possibility to extend their study and learning, by working with leading
world chefs, broadening their education and striving for excellence in their profession.
Oliver Shaul OAM (1923-2010) was a leading ambassador and entrepreneur of the Tourism and Hospitably industry in Australia,
receiving in 1990 the Order of Australia for his services and contributions to the industry.
He had a deep commitment to training and a long relationship with TAFE NSW. He worked with TAFE NSW to support the up-andcoming talented commercial cookery apprentices to extend their learning experiences to be masterful chefs.
Oliver Shaul’s achievements included designing the first food court in Australia, growing the Federal Hotel (Melbourne), as the first
publically listed hospitality organisation, with ten hotels nationally; establishing the Travel Lodge motel chain and catering services for
the Sydney Opera House, as well as opening the iconic Summit restaurant (in Sydney, Australia Square).
PAGE 36
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
HAVE YOUR SAY!
NATIONAL CONFERENCES
The National Board has been approached suggesting that The Order of Australia Association National Conferences be held biennially [every
2 years] rather than annually, as now occurs.
The National Conference has been established by the Association for over 20 years and has been organised in all States and Territories on a
rotational basis.
While the past practice has served the Association and its membership well, the proponents of biennial conferences have sighted the
increased costs of travel and accommodation to members and attendance annually in a competing world of increased cost of living and
participation in normal social activity continuing to rise.
Should it become biennial then States/Territories may choose to hold a State/Territory Conference in the alternative year thereby hopefully
engaging more members in participation.
**We now ask your advice as we move forward.
Please advise your choice:
QUESTION 1: [Annual]
Should the National Conference remain to be held on an annual basis and with the current rotational arrangements? Yes / No
QUESTION 2: [Biennial]
Should the National Conference be held on a biennial [2 year] rotational basis?
Yes / No
QUESTION 3:
Should the current format be changed/altered in other ways? If so, in what way/s?
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
QUESTION 4:
Any further suggestions would be very much appreciated.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Please forward your response to: Mrs. Colleen OAM, National Secretary, The Order of Australia Association, 81 Tuckwell Road, CASTLE
HILL NSW 2154 – or e-mail to: [email protected]
PAGE 37
A welcoming party greet the new arrivals Dec 2015
EXPEDITION
HEADS SOUTH
By Expedition Manager, Rob Easther The
Foundation’s six-person team at Cape
Denison has begun a six week planned
conservation programme focussing on the
interior of Mawson’s Huts and repair of the
skylight covers. They arrived on December
4, 2015 after a successful voyage from
Hobart, to the edge of the sea ice, 12 nautical
miles from Cape Denison where they were
transferred by helicopter with their supplies.
The team will remain there until mid-January
when they will be collected by the French
supply ship L’Astrolabe for their return to
Hobart, where they are due at the end of
the month. For the first time since Mawson’s
departure in December 1913 the team’s three
materials conservators will carefully work at
the removal of ice that has accumulated on the
floor of both the workshop and the living area.
Undisturbed for over 100 years the ice is
compacted and hard, its removal is already
uncovering items never before seen. Ice
is also being removed from the internal
NEW LOOK
FOUNDATION WEBSITE
A leading Australian advertising agency and web design
company, Fenton Stephens of Melbourne is giving a new look
to the Foundation’s website which will be released early in the
new year. Executive Director Roger Stephens is donating his
company’s expertise to support the Foundation in its work to
conserve Mawson’s Huts.
“My company is delighted to be involved in helping to conserve
the history of Sir Douglas Mawson and his work for Australia in
the Antarctic,” he said. “It’s a great pity that Australians generally
do not know more about Australia’s role in the Antarctic. The
legacy of Sir Douglas is immense and includes Australia’s 42 per
cent territorial claim to the continent and the Australian Antarctic
Division which operates three scientific and research bases there
and another on Macquarie Island,” said Roger. “Hopefully our
work on the Foundation’s website will help to reach more people
and educate them about his work.”
walls that separate the bunks from the
veranda, around three sides of Mawson’s
Huts. The veranda area is frozen solid and
this helps to protect and stabilise the huts.
A small excavation will be made in the
eastern veranda ice to place the remains
of “Grandmother” one of the AAE’s huskies
whose skeleton was found on the plateau
above the huts in January 1998. Since then
it has remained in a wooden box inside the
hut but during their stay, it will be relocated
to where the team of 28 huskies sheltered
from the blizzards at Cape Denison during
Mawson’s expedition.
CAMPAIGN FOR NEW
SOCIETY MEMBERS
This year the Foundation launched a drive for new members
offering an extensive range of benefits in return for an annual
payment of $110 dollars, or more.
Chimu Adventures (which generously hosts the Foundation’s
secretariat), is kindly providing 10% off all cruises
including Antarctic cruises & Asian holiday packages www.
getaboutasia.com
To be booked directly through www.chimuadventures.com
1300 707 597
Members will also have free entry to the Replica Museum and
15 % off all items purchased from the Foundation, and free
entry to win Antarctica Flights.
We would love to have your support. All cash donations to the
Foundation are tax deductible.
Please see the membership form attached
CHIMU ADVENTURES
Chimu Adventures are running a very exciting fundraising voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula benefiting the Mawson’s
Huts Foundation under their fundraising brand of the MAD project. Joining this journey are serial Antarctica travellers Jennifer Byrne and
Andrew Denton who will spice the journey up by sharing their knowledge, running special lectures and hosting a very entertaining trivia night.
Trip departs 04 Feb 2017, if interested book now, this trip is already over half full. Visit the website http://www.chimuadventures.com/pureantarctica
For further details and reservations
PAGE 38
THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION
THE AUSTRALIAN
ANTARCTIC FESTIVAL
Hobart September 8-11, 2016 The Foundation is planning a four
day Antarctic Festival for Hobart. The “Australian Antarctic Festival”
will be staged every two years, organised for the Foundation by
the Australian Wooden Boat Festival headed by Paul Cullen, an
experienced event organiser in Hobart. It will cater for all ages
with special programmes for children and is aimed towards locals
and visitors to highlight and celebrate the fact that Hobart is the
gateway to the Antarctic for the Asia - Pacific region. Sponsorship
for the inaugural event has been secured from Events Tasmania,
Chimu Adventures, and the Hobart City Council.
BOOK LAUNCHED AT THE
REPLICA
FROSTY
POST OFFICE
IS OPEN FOR
BUSINESS
The Cape Denison Post Office
opens in December for about
six weeks with the arrival of our
team and Postmistress Dr Sally
Hildred, who is also the medical
officer for this year’s expedition to
Mawson’s Huts. Sally will cancel
a limited number of commemorative covers, specially designed by
the Foundation’s philatelic consultant Peter Cranwell, which will
be offered for sale during 2016. Australia Post proclaimed Cape
Denison as an official Antarctic Post Office several years ago but it
operates only when the Foundation has a conservation team present.
It last operated for just two days in 2012- 13.Enquiries for covers
should be directed to [email protected]
This ex-history teacher was
so incensed by the claims
in David Day’s book on
the AAE, and Mawson that
she took to her historical
research training and has
produced an essay to refute
his claims. “The Crevasse
A critical response to
FLAWS IN THE ICE“ is
the first book published
by Sydney author Karyn
Maguire Bradford Available
in our Replica gift shop
and Foundation website
http://www.mawsonshuts.org.au/shop/books/the-crevasse-karynmaguire-bradford/
MAWSON’S HUTS FOUNDATION SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
We would like to invite you to assist The Mawson’s Huts Foundation to maintain and conserve the fragile, wooden huts at Cape Denison,
East Antarctica, officially known as Mawson’s Huts
Benefits include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Entry into a draw to win two seats for a flight over the Antarctic with Croydon Travels Antarctica Flights
Entry to the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum Hobart for the period of your membership.
15% discount on books and items offered for sale in the Replica Museum and on the Foundation’s website
10% discount on selected items at The Lark Distillery immediately adjacent to the Replica Museum (with your Museum entry ticket)
The Foundation’s E-newsletter The Blizzard published regularly during the year.
10% discount on all tours trips and cruises by Chimu Adventures and GetAboutAsia booked though www.chimuadventures.com.au
I would like to pay $ 110 annually
I would like to pay another amount annually $_________
I would like to make a donation of $____________
Name_____________________________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone_________________________________________ email_______________________________________
Credit Card Visa
Mastercard
Name on card___________________________________________
Card number ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ EXP ___ ___
Cheque
Payable to Mawson’s Huts Foundation
/ ___ ___
Total $_________________________________
• No GST is payable
• Please note that all cash donations to the Foundation are tax deductible but if you join as a Society Member the value of any items
received should be deducted from the amount claimed.
PAGE 39
Order
of Australia
Association
MERCHANDISE
The Order of Australia Association is delighted to offer
an extended range of merchandise to its members.
You may now choose from our ever popular products plus an extended
range of recently released new items. We have also introduced credit card
facilities to make your purchasing even easier. From time to time we will
add new items and limited offers of special purchase products. If you think
of other products that may be of interest to members, drop us a line with
your suggestions so it can be researched by the merchandise committee.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
PRICE
POSTAGE &
HANDLING
1
Cufflinks in Gift Box
35.00
7.00
2
Association Brooch
15.00
2.00
3
Association Lapel Badge
15.00
2.00
4
OAA Blue/Gold Metal Pen
5.00
1.00
5
OAA Traditional Tie Navy
25.00
2.00
6
OAA Tie Navy/Gold
25.00
2.00
7
OAA Tie Maroon/Black/White
25.00
2.00
8
OAA Tie Navy/Aqua/White
25.00
2.00
9
OAA Scarf Navy/Gold/White
30.00
2.00
10
Car Decal
5.00
1.00
11
Key Ring in Gift Box
10.00
8.00
12
Metal Drink Coasters (set 4)
35.00
8.00
13
Wine Glasses (set 2)
15.00
5.00
14
OAA Travel/Sports Bag Navy
40.00
10.00
15
Business Document/Laptop Bag
30.00
10.00
16
Golf Towel with Brass Clip
13.00
8.00
17
Playing Cards
3.00
1.00
18
OAA Metal Medallion 10cm
20.00
2.00
Mr Richard Rozen, OAM
National Merchandise Officer
The Order of Australia Association
Payment
c Cheque / Money Order enclosed
3
4
6
7
9
5
7
QUANTITY
ORDERED
11
10
13
12
14
15
17
TOTAL
MERCHANDISE
TOTAL POSTAGE
& HANDLING
PO Box 9211, Brighton VIC 3186
Phone 03 9592 8068
Email [email protected]
1
18
*Only OAA members may wear apparel, cufflinks & badges.
EMAIL OR POST YOUR ORDER TO
2
TOTAL ORDER
NEW!
c Please debit my Credit card
Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone __________________________________________
Postal Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suburb ______________________________________________ State ________________________________________________Postcode ________________________________________
Email ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c Mastercard
c Visa
Card Number ______________________________________________________________________ Expiry Date ___________________ CSV _______________
PAGESignature
40 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Authorised
16