Eighteen residents of St George and Sutherland Shire have been recognised in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours.
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Their service to the community has been in many fields, from the law, education, medicine and disability to surf lifesaving, the environment motor sport and softball.
The recipients are:
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
- Dr Lynette Riley, of Kogarah, for distinguished service to education, particularly through the development of Indigenous curriculum and student support, to reconciliation, and to the community.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
- Professor Marcela Bilek, of Sutherland, for significant service to physics and biomedical engineering.
- Graham Bruce, of Woolooware, for significant service to surf lifesaving at the national, state and local levels.
- Dr Matthew Crawford, of Connells Point, for significant service to medicine, particularly chronic and complex pain management.
- Dr Pamela Gower, of Cronulla, for significant service to dentistry, and to forensic odontology.
- Kevin Greene, of Peakhurst Heights, for significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to local government, and to the community.
- The late Mr Richard Grills, formerly of Cronulla, for significant service to community eye health, and to the ophthalmic optics industry.
- A judge, whose name the Leader has chosen to withhold, for significant service to the law, and to legal education.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
- Janice Blizzard, of Loftus, for service to motor sports.
- Anne Caterson, of Blakehurst, for service to surf lifesaving.
- Tracey Corbin-Matchett, of Gymea, for service to the arts, and to people with disability.
- George Cotis, of Gymea, for service to conservation and the environment.
- Emeritus Professor Rifaat Ebied, of Sylvania, for service to education, particularly to Semitic studies.
- Susan Rindfleish, of South Hurstville, for service to softball.
- Keith Roffey, of Kirrawee, for service to the community through a range of organisations.
- Carolyn Townsend, for service to the community through charitable organisations.
Meritorious
- Geoffrey Coleman, of Engadine, for service with NSW Ambulance.
- Robert Wilson, of Bangor, for service with Marine Rescue NSW.
Their stories will be shared on the Leader website and in this week's print edition.
Information has been collated according to a residential postcode list, supplied by the Council for the Order of Australia.
If you know of any other award recipients who have a strong connection with St George and Sutherland Shire, but now live outside the region, you can let us know by emailing: leadernews@theleader.com.au
Governor-General David Hurley said the 1191 Australians recognised in the King's Birthday Honours had made "substantial contributions and had a significant impact at the local, national or international level".
"Some are volunteers, others have had a remarkable impact in professional roles - many have done both," he said. "They are all inspiring and their service is valued by us all.".
"Each recipient has something in common: someone nominated them.
"The Order of Australia belongs to each of us because nominations come from the community.
"In honouring today's recipients, I also encourage all Australians to consider nominating someone they admire who has had a significant impact in the community."
Murray Trembath
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news. Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au
