OAM honours for Geoffrey Scott, Yvonne Keane, Frank Deane, Perry Gilsenan, David Rosenberg, Rita Little

Principals, publishers, politicians and volunteers who work with disabled people are some of the residents from The Hills to be awarded with Order of Australia medals.

Kellyville’s Yvonne Keane (centre) gets into fundraising mode in 2019. She is one of several OAM recipients from the Hills. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Principals, publishers, politicians and volunteers who work with disabled people from The Hills have been awarded with Order of Australia medals.

GEOFFREY SCOTT

When veteran principal Geoffrey Scott retired in 2016, his heart never left the classroom.

The Carlingford resident served more than 50 years in the profession and 33 of those years as a principal — dedication that has earned led him to be awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

The 75 year old started his career at Broken Hill before Killarney Heights and St Marys North public schools and rounding out his profession at Blacktown South Public School at Prospect.

He spent 10 years of his career at NSW Primary Principals’ Association where he lends support to principals.

“When it comes to decision making it can be a very isolating experience because principals, like many of us, don’t want to put their hands up and say ‘I don’t know what to do’,’’ Mr Scott said.

Geoffrey Scott’s dedication to education has earned him an OAM.

He nominates being part of a team that lobbied for the construction of 250 school buildings as part of the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution across the state in 2007 and 2008 as a highlight with the principals’ association.

“It took some time and it took some homework to put to the government of the day that it was a good use of their funds,’’ he said.

The former Five Dock Public School student graduated from the selective Fort Street High School and has always worked in the public school system.

“I was a pretty average student; I think I learned the learning and social aspect and sport and performing arts and tried to create it when I became a teacher and instil a love of that for my students.’’

He would also like to see more male teachers. “It's probably something the system needs to address because the role of young males being role models is important.’’

He also wants to see more respect for the profession.

Deciding to become a teacher wasn’t a “blinding light’’ moment but one he gravitated towards naturally, and one that happened to be a highly regarded profession which he enjoyed.

“Every day is a highlight,’’ he said.

“Even on the worst day, it’s still the best job.”

YVONNE KEANE

Former Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane’s passion for helping others has been life changing for many in the deaf community and abused women.

The Kellyville resident has been awarded the OAM for her significant service to women and children, and those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Ms Keane was the co-founder of The Sanctuary women’s shelter in 2015 and also assisted with establishing its sister shelter, The Haven at Penrith.

Yvonne Keane at Bernie Mullane Reserve in Kellyville when she was the Hills mayor.

Her philanthropic passion was also flexed as the deputy chairwoman of the Endeavour Foundation in 2015 and as the chief executive officer for the Hear the Children Early Intervention Centre (now part of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) since 2018.

She has also laced up her sneakers for the Run for the Hills Charity Fun Run, an event she founded to raise funds for Lifestart to help children with disabilities.

Ms Keane, who was the mayor in 2016-17, is no stranger to Australia Day accolades, having been declared the Citizen of the Year in 2012.

She was also named the NSW Local Government Woman of the Year in 2016.

FRANK DEANE

Castle Hill’s Frank Deane has a simple philosophy about volunteering.

“I’ve always had a very strong view that if you don’t contribute to your community, society fails,’’ he said.

When he retired as a full time solicitor after 34 years in 2004 he took up a voluntary role and became the chairman of Forsight in 2014. The organisation supports people with disabilities by providing accommodation.

“This happened to be an organisation with the Rotary club I was in at the time (Carlingford) and I saw it was an opportunity for me to provide some assistance,’’ he said.

Frank Deane. Picture: Hero Shot Photography

“We are providing not just residential accommodation but providing and improving quality of life for people who have terrible disabilities. They still have a brain and blood pulsating through the body. To improve the quality of life has really been an amazing thing to see and do. It’s very exciting when you make some plans and they work.’’

Such contributions have led him to be the awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

The Lidcombe-based Forsight started with 35 residents with 12 homes when Mr Deane joined but has steered the organisation to expand. There are now 71 full time residents in 15 homes run by 220 staff.

Mr Deane, 75, is still a solicitor consultant and has also been active on community groups such as Carlingford-North Rocks Probus Club and Carlingford Rotary.

As a life member and former vice president of Northern Barbarians Rugby (formerly Beecroft Cherrybrook Junior Rugby Club and Beecroft Pennant Hills Junior Rugby Football Club) he also relishes the contributions to the sport and seeing players such as Australian Matt Burke come through the ranks.

PERRY GILSENAN

When Perry and Jane Gilsenan’s first child Grace was born with Down syndrome almost 18 years ago, they of course immediately fell in love with her and got on the front foot of raising a daughter with special needs.

At five weeks, she was in early education intervention and now attends St Edmund’s College special needs school at Wahroonga where she is entering her final year.

“She was a stunningly beautiful child,’’ Mr Gilsenan said.

“Wherever Grace goes, she brings light and joy.’’

Perry and Jane Gilsenan with daughters Molly (left) and Grace.

Raising a child with Down syndrome led Mr Gilsenan, of Baulkham Hills, to form organisation Scrapheap Adventure Ride to help families of children with the condition.

The charity ride travels to far flung towns in NSW to raise awareness of Down syndrome and it has amassed $800,000 over the past 12 years.

“That was part of raising awareness and presenting Down syndrome in a positive light — it's not a negative thing, it’s a positive thing,’’ Mr Gilsenan said.

“It’s about connecting people and starting conversations and saying ‘it’s OK’.’’

Mr Gilsenan has a knack for resilience. After he was run over by a train as a 12-year-old in 1976, both his legs were amputated and he suffered a debilitating car accident in 1988 that caused severe injuries.

But as a Christian, he says he has his faith and his family, which includes 15-year-old Molly.

Perry Gilsenan with daughters Grace (on lap) and Molly.

DAVID ROSENBERG

Kenthurst resident David Rosenberg has been awarded an OAM for service to publishing.

He founded Rosenberg Publishing in 2002 and is its publisher and director.

He had garnered many years of experience in publishing after being the former managing director of Thomas Nelson and Kangaroo Press, which he founded in 1977 and worked at for 20 years.

He was also recognised with the George Robertson Award for services to the publishing industry in 2009. 

RITA LITTLE

Former Kellyville resident Rita Little’s legacy for animal welfare has been honoured with a posthumous OAM.

Ms Little has been recognised for service to animal welfare and to canine breeding clubs including the British Terrier Club of NSW where she was the photographer and archivist.

A breeder of terriers from 1974 until her death last year, she was also the president of the NSW Jack Russell Terrier Club in 2016 and co-founded the Jack Russell Terrier Race Days in 1982.

She was a life member of the Australian National Kennel Council and translated her passion for dogs in a book.

Many show-goers would recognise Ms Little from Castle Hill Show Society where she was a volunteer from 2008 to 2020.

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