Logan man Wayne Lindsay honoured alongside Bee Gee Barry Gibb in Governor-General’s list

A New Zealand war veteran living in Logan along with the last surviving Bee Gee are among six non-Australians honoured this week in special awards announced by the Governor-General.

A New Zealand war veteran living in Logan along with the last surviving Bee Gee are among six non-Australians who were honoured this week in special awards announced by the Governor-General.

All six were recognised for making a difference to the country in fields including helping war veterans, music, the arts, netball and documenting Australian war efforts.

WAYNE LINDSAY

BORONIA HEIGHTS QLD

SERVICES FOR WAR VETERAN

Wayne Lindsay was one of six non-Australians honoured in special Governor-General awards.

Logan resident Wayne Lindsay was also honoured in the Governor-General’s special Order of Australia list with an (OAM) honorary medal in the general division.

Mr Lindsay, who lives in Logan’s Boronia Heights, was recognised for his service to Australian and New Zealand war veterans’ communities.

He is a veteran of the New Zealand Defence Forces who has dedicated more than 30 years to advocate for veteran welfare and support both in the southeast Queensland area and further afield.

He has voluntarily supported many veterans, including their families, widows and survivors, navigating the reciprocal arrangements between the New Zealand and Australian governments.

As director of the New Zealand Veterans in Australia, Mr Lindsay’s passion and commitment was driven by his enthusiasm to ensure government support was compliant and timely, thereby reducing stress and anxiety to those already experiencing other service-related challenges. Through his efforts, a large number of veterans and their families, as well as other qualifying former service members, have been able to access benefits and entitlements that they might otherwise not have received.

The Governor-General said his service was worthy of formal national recognition with the Honorary Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

BARRY GIBB, US

SERVICES TO MUSIC

Barry Gibb at the opening of Bee Gees Way at Redcliffe. Sir Barry was recognised by the Governor-General with an honorary award.

Governor-General David Hurley announced Sir Barry Gibb, 75, an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

Sir Barry, who lives in the US received the accolade for his services to the performing arts as a musician, songwriter and record producer, who has advanced Australian music and for his philanthropy.

He was one of the co-founding and only surviving members of pop legends, the Bee Gees, who grew up in Redcliffe, where they made some of their first forays into the music industry.

Alongside his twin brothers, Maurice and Robin, the Bee Gees became one of the most commercially successful pop groups in musical history, selling over 220 million records worldwide.

The Bee Gees have influenced, and made significant contributions to, the Australian music industry and its emerging artists and producers, particularly during the formative years of

Australian popular music.

Barry Gibb at the opening of Bee Gees Way.

Aside from Sir Barry’s stellar music career, he is known for his philanthropic work, which saw him recognised in the UK through his appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2002 and a Knight Bachelor in 2018.

An example of his involvement in charitable events was Sound Relief, with Australia’s Olivia Newton-John at the Sydney Cricket Ground to raise funds for those affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

On the basis of his longstanding support and development of the Australian music industry which he helped bring to an international audience and for philanthropy, Sir Barry has been recognised with an appointment as an Honorary Companion

BARRY BARNES, UK

SERVICES TO THE AUSTRALIA FLYING CORPS

The Flying Kangaroos at Tetbury, UK, PHOTO: AUSTRALIAN WAR MUSEUM.

Barry Keith Barnes was awarded an honorary medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to the Australian Flying Corps in Tetbury, England, and surrounding areas, during World War I.

Mr Barnes displayed a longstanding commitment toward inspiring the public acknowledgment of the service of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) that were stationed near Tetbury.

He gave considerable personal time and effort in compiling historical evidence of the service of Australian airmen during their time in Tetbury.

This culminated in a production of a self-published manuscript titled, The 1st Air Training Wing, The Cotswolds 1918-19.

For many years, he has assisted in co-ordinating ANZAC services in Tetbury and surrounds, as well as ensuring Australian flag representation, in remembrance of those who have fallen.

He is widely credited with instigating the presentation of a commemorative plaque paying tribute to the service of Australian airmen at the Tetbury Town Hall on November 11, 2017.

 His contributions to commemorating the service of Australian Flying Corps in Tetbury, England, and surrounding areas, during World War One, was worthy of formal national recognition with. the honorary medal.

SHIRLEY CONNOLLY

SERVICE TO NSW NETBALL

Shirley Connolly was one of six non-Australians honoured in special Governor-General awards.

Shirley Connolly from Grasmere, NSW, was awarded an honorary medal for her services to netball, particularly in the Macarthur region of New South Wales.

She is widely recognised within the Campbelltown and broader New South Wales netball community as a driving force for the sport for more than 40 years, and as a community leader committed to ensuring the inclusive, professional organisation and delivery of netball competitions at local and state levels.

 Mrs Connolly was instrumental in netball being the sport of choice for women in the Macarthur region.

She transformed her local amateur netball association into a professional sporting body, namely Campbelltown District Netball Association, where she served 29 years as president.

Throughout this extensive period of voluntary service, Mrs Connolly has been involved in a variety of local activities to enhance the administration, infrastructure and social engagement around netball.

GILBERT BROGDEN

CHARITY VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Gilbert Brogden was awarded an honorary medal for service to the community, particularly through volunteering and fundraising for local and national charity organisations.

Mr Brogden has been a longstanding, generous volunteer for more than 35 years with 55 local and national charities and organisations.

 His commitment and passion for fundraising for the Cancer Council made him an active volunteer in the community, where highlighted the work of the Cancer Council.

CHRISTINE FORSYTH

SERVICE TO WOLLOMBI VALLEY SPORTS

Christine Forsyth from Laguna in New South Wales was recognised for service to the Wollombi Valley region, particularly through sporting, arts and community organisations. 

She is known for being an exemplary supporter and role model to the Laguna community and to the wider Wollombi Valley region.

Together with her late husband, Alister Forsyth, she selflessly provided much-needed support to the local area donating land to use for municipal sporting facilities.

The land has been used for a cricket ground, club house and athletic running track, a small golf course, a local swimming pool and a Village Green; as a place to meet and participate in recreational activities, including theatre plays and lantern parades.

These facilities provided by the Forsyth family for the community and local public school use have had a significant impact on the physical health and fitness and mental wellbeing of the community.

Mrs Forsyth is also a long-serving volunteer and avid supporter of the Lower Hunter Rural Fire Services, Wollombi Progress Association and Laguna Public School.

More recently Mr and Mrs Forsyth were recognised by Cessnock City Council with the 2019 Cessnock Senior Citizens of the Year award for their ongoing and outstanding contribution to the Cessnock Local Government Area.