Gold Coast paramedic, firefighters and teacher among King’s Birthday Honours List
A critical care paramedic, firefighters and dedicated teachers are among the Gold Coast King’s Birthday Honours list. See who they are - and why they are feeling “quite humbled”.
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Eight Gold Coast community members are among those honoured in this years King’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of their service to the city - from people working in schools, the emergency services, community, the arts and more. Meet the humbled below.
Mr John William Fradgley
The prominent retired Gold Coast solicitor and chairman of All Saints Anglican School says he’s “incredibly humbled” to be awarded one of the highest commendations in Australia.
On Monday, John William Fradgley was among six Gold Coasters awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division during the King’s 2024 birthday honours.
Mr Fradgley was a senior consultant and former senior partner for more than 50 years at Bell Legal Group, simultaneously balancing his role at All Saints among a number of other leading community roles.
He has been recognised for his service to the community through the Anglican Church and law.
Despite living his life with “a strong desire to give to the community”, the commendation came as a “shock”.
“I just didn’t think I had done anything to receive this,” Mr Fradgley said.
“I feel incredibly humbled more than anything else. Because I don’t do any of this for reward – these are just the things I enjoy doing.”
Mr Fradgley said growing up Anglican, his faith played a significant role in his desire to help the community.
When he first began practising law under the tutelage of one-time Gold Coast Mayor Alexander ‘Lex’ Bell, it was again instilled into him by his mentor – driving the pair to join Hilton Redding, founder of the Gold Coast Christian community radio station 4CRB, in 1984.
For almost three decades as the presenter of the legal talkback program ‘The Law and You’, Mr Fradgley was the calm voice of help for anyone in the Gold Coast with a legal problem they couldn’t afford to address.
“No question, it’s been incredibly rewarding,” Mr Fradgley said.
“Having that legal skill has enabled me to do so much in terms of my involvement with the community. I firmly believe that no matter what you attempt to give to the community, it always manages to come back in spades.
“The rewards you receive almost seem disproportionate.”
In 2012, Mr Fradgley was awarded the Knight of Grace of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem – the oldest surviving chivalricorder in the world.
But the most “rewarding” moments he said, were not the medals and letters of appreciation – but the connections shared with the community.
“I was honoured to be part of the selection committee that chose Mr Patrick Wallas as the All Saints Anglican School’s second ever headmaster,” he said.
“Now I must say my Wednesday meetings with him are the most enjoyable things I do in my week.”
On Monday, the Governor-General David Hurley AC DSC also announced Honours and Awards for 737 Australians, including seven other Gold Coasters.
Ms Jeanette Lockey
Tamborine Mountain Association President Jeanette Lockey has been recognised for her service to the community of Tamborine Mountain with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
She has been a long-serving advocate for the community, joining the former Tamborine Mountain Progress Association in the 1990s where she held the positions of secretary, Treasurer and eventually president over her three decade tenure.
Mrs Lockey took over as the president of the Tamborine Mountain Association in 2023.
She also volunteers with the Tamborine Mountain Garden Club and is a former committee member of the South East Queensland Development Forum.
Mr Garth Wallace McMillan
Dedicated Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) senior critical care paramedic and Surf Life Saving life member Garth McMillian has been recognised for his service to the community through emergency response organisations with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Since joining the QAS in the 1970s at Coolangatta Mr McMillan has worked his way from through the ranks, holding positions as a senior ambulance officer, to a flight paramedic and into his current role in critical care at Burleigh Heads.
He has had an eye for the sky working as a volunteer rescue crewman for seven years on board the Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service, and a 26-year stint as a flight paramedic with RACQ CareFlight Queensland Rescue Helicopter.
Mr McMillan is also a life member with the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club where he has been patrolling for more than 50 years.
He is the current Patrol Captain and vice-captain.
Mrs Suzanne Roberts
Long-time Gold Coast City Choir Musical Director and performing arts head at Mudgeerabas Somerset College Suzanne Roberts has been recognised for her service to music, and to secondary education with Medal of the Order of Australia.
Mrs Roberts has held her position at the city’s choir for nearly a decade and has overseen more than 30 productions.
She continues to be a valued staff member at Somerset College where she was first employed at a music teacher in the 1980s.
Over the past 40 years she has directed the college choirs and bands, as well as contributing to the editorial committee.
In 2019, the ‘Suzanne Roberts Centre for Performing Arts’ at the college was named in her honour.
Mrs Marie Jeanette Nicholson
Gold Coast City Choir Accompanist and Repetiteur Marie Nicholson has been recognised for her service to music, and to secondary education with a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Mrs Nicholson joined the city choir in the 1990s and has been an integral member for nearly three decades overseeing countless productions and performances.
She has served as a former rehearsal co-ordinator for Opera Queensland and has been recognised for her contributions to the city’s arts sector with a Distinguished Service Award and her name added to the HERO Wall of Honour at the Gold Coast Theatre Alliance.
Mr Philip John Thomson
Numinbah Valley beef farmer, firefighter and passionate local Philip Thomson has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his dedication to his community.
He has served as a member of the Numinbah Valley Rural Fire Brigade since 1975 and has held the role of first officer for nearly 40 years.
Mr Thomson is a founding member, and current vice-president of the Numinbah Valley Landcare group and oversees local weed control projects.
He is also sits on the committees for the Numinbah Valley School of Arts Community Hall and the Australian Bullock Drivers’ League, for which he is the former President.
Mr Scott Andrew Morgan
Longstanding Surfers Paradise station officer and Gold Coast firefighter Scott Morgan has been recognised for his 42-year career with an Australian Fire Service Medal.
He joined Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in 1981 and is well recognised for his leadership, innovation, critical expertise, and relentless commitment to developing firefighting procedures and training.
He has also served as a United Firefighters Union official.
Most notably, Mr Morgan was a member of the fire service team which investigated the tragic deaths of fire fighters Herbie Fennell and Noel Watson while battling a unit fire at Southport in February 1994.
Mr Morgan has spent hours outside of his duties actively participating in reviews
and inquiries that have led to better protective equipment and processes to protect the safety of firefighters and the community.
Mr Dean Thomas Tucker
Career Gold Coast firefighter and Duty Operations Manager for south eastern region, Inspector Dean Tucker has been honoured with an Australian Fire Service Medal.
Joining the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in 1996, Mr Tucker has climbed the ranks from Station Officer to Regional Training Manager and Incident Controller, before being appointed to his current role.
He has been deployed to numerous natural disasters, most recently assisting with the significant floods and fires throughout 2022 and 2023.
Mr Tucker has dedicated countless hours to mentoring and supporting aspiring leaders, and has played a pivotal role in the station officer promotion process.
He is also credited for his distinguished service and leadership which has been instrumental in enhancing QFES and protecting communities.
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Originally published as Gold Coast paramedic, firefighters and teacher among King’s Birthday Honours List
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