Australia Day 2021: Upper north shore residents receive awards

A woman dedicated to helping the disadvantaged and a Korean War veteran are among several upper north shore residents to make Australia Day honours.

Professor Markus Seibel has received an AM for his medical research. Picture: Sydney Local Health District website

Several residents from Sydney’s prestigious upper north shore have been honoured on Australia Day for their commitment to the community.

It includes a woman who’s dedicated her life to helping those with a disability and a Korean War veteran.

Here are their stories:

Medal of the Order of Australia, Janet Dorothy Kneeshaw

Janeet Kneeshaw received an OAM for community work to the Opera House and the disadvantaged. Picture: supplied

Ms Kneeshaw has received an OAM for her service to the performing arts and to the community.

The Pymble resident is president of the Sydney Opera House Ladie’s Committee where she raises funds for the disadvantaged and is an active member in church choirs.

She spoke about what inspired her volunteer work.

“It gives opportunities to disadvantaged students and those in the community with a disability. There are programs developed for them so we support but in a small way,” Ms Kneeshaw said.

“An example is kids from disadvantaged schools get a chance to get shown around the Opera House and that takes time and money that the Opera House provides. Our committee hosts events to raise money.

Ms Kneeshaw says her real passion is singing. Picture: supplied

“We’ve been giving $25,000 a year the last few years and we consider that an honour. Several of our committee members are aged in their 90s and they’re still able to contribute. It’s rewarding and I really enjoy it.”

Ms Kneeshaw said she has a close relationship with her brother who has down syndrome and once worked as a diversional therapist at nursing homes before becoming a board member at Unnison Disability.

She said her son now works as the CEO.

“I got used to working for a purpose and I keep doing it,” she said.

But she revealed her true passion is singing.

“I started off in a church choir when I was 14 and there was a young group there and we used to have fun.

I’m addicted to singing in choirs. I’ve sung in 24 cathedrals around the world and married my husband who’s a church organist.”

Member of the Order of Australia, Professor Markus Joachim Seibel

Professor Markus Seibel has received an AM for his medical research. Picture: Sydney Local Health District website

Professor Markus Seibel has been appointed an AM, acknowledging his service to medical research and to endocrinology.

The Killara resident has been a Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Sydney since 2001 and is head of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Concord Hospital.

“This came out of the blue. It certainly is an honour and quite humbling, but it’s good to see these contribution recognised by the community.” Prof Seibel said.

“A few years ago I founded the SOS Fracture Alliance in an effort to improve the care of people with osteoporosis. The reason is that even though we have effective drugs available in Australia, eight out of 10 people who suffer an osteoporotic fracture don’t get treated.”

“The Alliance now has 37 member organisations with an overall membership of just over 3 million individuals, so all together the Alliance has become a pretty big organisation. Our aim is that all older Australians who suffer from osteoporosis receive the care and management they deserve.”

The professor says he does what he does to help people. Picture: Sydney University website

He said he went into his profession because: “I was fascinated by the area, it’s an area where you need to think. It’s not an area where you make a lot of money but you have a lot of options to actually help people. And that’s what counts in health.”

The professor said he had just received a grant which would fund his research for the next five years.

The other Australia Day award recipients include:

• Member of the Order of Australia: Professor Ronald Ian Bartsch of Cheltenham for his service to aviation law, and to safety and compliance.
• Medal of the Order of Australia: Bexon Whang of Wahroonga for his service to veterans of the Korean War.
• Member of the Order of Australia: Graham Alastair Ross of Beecroft for his service to broadcast media in horticulture and to the community.
• Officer of the order of Australia: Professor Roger Robert Reddel of St Ives for his work in biomedical research in the field of genetics, adult and childhood cancer and to tertiary education.
• Medal of the Order of Australia: Lynn McCrindle of Pennant Hills for her service to children and to education.