Australia Day Awards: Southern Highlands heroes recognised in Australia Day 2022 Honours List

From a humble 99-year-old veteran to a generous benefactor of the arts, these are the Southern Highlands heroes recognised in the Australia Day 2022 Honours List.

Five Southern Highlands heroes have been be recognised for their contributions and hard work in the Australia Day 2022 Honours List, from a generous benefactor of education, culture, and business to a humble 99-year-old army veteran.

Governor-General David Hurley said this year’s recipients emphasise the strength and generosity of everyday citizens, which has been sustained even in an ongoing pandemic.

”Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s Honours List,” he said.

“It has been a challenging couple of years and the recipients announced today are a reminder and reflection of the richness of spirit, selflessness and good in our community.”

Notably, this year’s Honours List has the highest number of female recipients since the inaugural honours list in 1975. Of the 732 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia, 47 per cent will champion the achievements of Australian women.

Locally, two of the five Southern Highlands heroes being celebrated are women.

“We will continue to increase awareness and encourage nominations for people from parts of our community that have been historically under-represented,” the Governor-General said.

Read all about the five local legends making a difference in our community.

Daniel Gauchat

Daniel Gauchat will be appointed to the Order of Australia in recognition of his contributions to the community.

Business giant Daniel Gauchat has been appointed to the Order of Australia in recognition of his significant service to tertiary education, cultural organisations, and business.

The distinguished Woodlands resident has been heavily involved in education since his days studying at the University of NSW.

Mr Gauchat has been the director of the University of New South Wales Foundation Limited since 2007 and has held a myriad of significant titles at the university, but he says he is most proud of the scholarship fund he set up with his wife to financially assist rural students who want to study medicine at UNSW.

“That’s been a very worthwhile thing to do – helping young people from all parts of NSW in particular attend the medical school of the university,” Mr Gauchat said.

He said the scholarship had helped to address the sometimes dire healthcare skills shortages experienced in many rural areas by allowing interested medical students to access quality education.

“A lot of these young people are keen to go back into a rural environment once they’ve graduated, and that was a part of the reason we did this in the first place, to help them make a commitment to go back,” Mr Gauchat said.

As well as investing in the future of rural Australians, Mr Gauchat has donated his skills and expertise as a business leader to mentor many aspiring CEOs.

Mr Gauchat is also a longtime committee member and benefactor of the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and the Australian Youth Orchestra.

Despite his numerous achievements, Mr Gauchat said he is “somewhat humbled, a bit surprised but also very flattered” to be appointed to the Order of Australia.

Sharon Louise Hoogland

Ever-generous Sharon Louise Hoogland has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the community, particularly through the church.

The Braemar resident has held numerous positions within the Bowral Uniting Church, from Sunday school teacher to preacher and, most recently Secretary.

However, her generosity of spirit has been felt throughout the Southern Highlands community due to her involvement in Mittagong Public School, Bowral High School, and Wollondilly Anglican School.

Mrs Hoogland has dedicated many years of her life to helping others and to ensuring they have the means to help themselves. She previously served as the General Manager of Employment for Mission Australia and the Chair of the National Skillshare Association (now Jobs Australia).

Frederick Francis Denny

Army veteran Frederick Denny will be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his dedicated service to Australian armed services veterans.

Humble 99-year-old veteran Frederick Francis Denny has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to veterans and their families.

The Thirlmere resident has been a member of the Picton-Thirlmere-Bargo branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia since 1946. He is a veteran of the 55/53 Australian Infantry Battalion, otherwise known as the ‘Mice of Moresby’, who served in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Denny’s grandson told The Bowral News his grandfather was incredibly humble about his lifelong dedication to veterans of the armed services.

“He doesn’t want the accolades,” he said.

“He believes his mates who didn’t come home from the war are more deserving of awards than people who did – so that’s just how he is.”

In his 76 years since serving in the Army, Mr Denny has not missed an ANZAC march in Sydney and has been a stalwart supporter of local veterans.

The 99-year-old has been a welfare officer for his local RSL branch for more than 50 years, ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of former servicemen and women with everything from food deliveries to ongoing emotional support.

Mr Denny’s grandson said his grandfather’s selfless service of others means the veteran will be reluctant in the spotlight.

“He’ll say: ‘this (medal) isn’t for me, this is for Australian soldiers all over the world, even the modern ones, fighting overseas. That’s his whole philosophy,” Mr Denny’s grandson said.

Heather Tredinnick

Musical paragon Heather Tredinnick has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to music through choirs.

The Bowral resident is a passionate choir conductor and singer who has been dedicated to spreading the joy of music throughout Sydney and the Southern Highlands for decades.

When it comes to choirs, Mrs Tredinnick has done it all – she’s conducted and sung with older groups, younger groups, single sex, co-ed. Some of her best memories are from her 33 years as a teacher and choir conductor, where she moulded the talents of many hopeful musicians.

“It’s always a thrill to me to see the enjoyment that not only the participants receive but also the joy that it brings to the listener,” Mrs Tredinnick said.

“Everything I’ve done has brought me much pleasure and joy and hopefully I’ve been able to share that with our choristers and people who listen to us.”

Mrs Tredinnick said choral singing and music in general were more important now than ever before, with the isolation of the pandemic still looming.

“Choral singing at its best brings multiple benefits to the singer, both mentally, physically, and emotionally. When you sing, you feel alive,” she said.

“There’s a camaraderie that’s involved. It’s a lovely feeling to feel you’re doing this with someone else and it’s not just you.”

Mrs Tredinnick said she was still awed by the recognition of the Governor-General and the Medal of the Order of Australia.

“It is an incredible honour. It’s such a surprise and I can still hardly believe it,” she said.

James John Barkell

Lawyer James John Barkell has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through a range of organisations.

The Bowral resident has been a lawyer since 1974 and currently works as a family law specialist at Meredith Hatton & Associates law firm in Bowral.

He has had an active career as a family lawyer after being one of the first lawyers in the state to receive the specialist accreditation.

Mr Barkell has previously served as a member of the Sydney University Regiment and University of NSW Regiment, both of which are training units for the Australian Army Reserve. He currently holds the position of secretary for the Regimental Council at Sydney University Regiment.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.