Blacktown Australia Day Honours: Anger at lack of representation
Despite having a population of more than 400,000, just one Blacktown resident was named in the Aus Day Honours while those in Sydney’s east and north shore racked up dozens.
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Blacktown community leaders have slammed the lack of representation for locals in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
Just one person from Blacktown has been recognised in the General Division of the Order of Australia despite the population of the council area topping 400,000.
By comparison areas such as the eastern suburbs and the north shore have dozens of people recognised.
Despite having a population of just 10,000, the eastern suburbs neighbourhood of Rose Bay had three times as many recipients as Blacktown.
NSW Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Greg Warren, fumed at the lack of recognition for the people of western Sydney, calling it a “a disappointing insult”.
He said: “First of all, congratulations to the one recipient from the Blacktown area, that is fantastic but there is a clear disparity in recognition.
“Western Sydney is full of amazing, wonderful people and we have been through our challenges particularly during Covid.
“One of those challenges has been the unfair treatment during lockdowns and inadequate support from the government.
“What that has meant is we have had thousands of people step up to the plate and give their time selflessly to support our community.
“There are a multitude of people across Western and South Western Sydney that are deserving of the honourable acknowledgment.”
A total of 732 awards were handed out in the General Division of the Order of Australia but there was only one for Blacktown.
A spokesman for Council for the Order of Australia said lack of nominations were to blame for the low number of Blacktown recipients.
He said: “The Order of Australia is a nomination-based system. Individuals can only be recognised if they are nominated.
“Each nomination is researched and then considered by the Independent Council of the Order of Australia.
“The best way for more local residents to be recognised (regardless of which LGA in Australia) is to increase the number of nominations made for individuals who have made an impact and a difference to their community.
“To this end, the Governor-General is working to raise awareness of the Order and encourage greater engagement – particularly amongst communities that have been under-represented.”
Blacktown City Council Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said it was “extremely disappointing”.
“As Mayor of the largest council in NSW, it is extremely disappointing to see the lack of representation of Blacktown City in this year’s Australia Day Honour List,” he said.
“Last year, our city endured one of the toughest Covid lockdowns in Australia for more than 100 days. During this time, dozens of individuals and organisations dedicated their time by packing food hampers, delivering meals and supplies, and assisting the most vulnerable in our community.
“So where is their recognition? I implore the Governor-General’s Office to ensure better representation of the people of Blacktown City in its future honours and awards.”
Michelle Rowland, MP for Greenway, said she was proud of Blacktown residents for their resilience, hard work and generosity in 2021 regardless of the lack of recognition.
“2021 was a challenging year for many of us, especially here in Blacktown,” she said.
“But during the toughest of times, our local residents helped us get through it.
“From our local school educators that got our kids through the year, to the frontline health workers at the Blacktown Hospital – Blacktown residents are second to none in their resilience, hard work and generosity.
“We have a lot to be proud of here.”
Sister recognised for tireless work
Blacktown award recipient Sister Barbara McDonough was recognised for her service to education and the church.
Her work with Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Congregation, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, Holy Cross College Woollahra and Catherine McAuley School Westmead were recognised with a medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.
She said: “I don’t know why I have been nominated but I am grateful for whoever has nominated me for the award.
“Girls had very limited opportunities in the 50s and 60s and my life has been given over to encouraging girls and telling them they have something to offer and can do whatever they put their minds to and that has been a privilege.
“It has been a privilege to work with young women and help them to realise their potential and make their contribution to society.”
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