Macarthur residents honoured for community service

The contributions of some of the Macarthur region’s finest have been recognised on the Australia Day Honours List.

The contributions of some of the Macarthur region’s finest have been recognised on the Australia Day Honours List.

Six Macarthur region residents were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for their contributions to Australian society in a variety of fields.

Camden historian Dr Ian Willis was among those to be recognised for his service to community history.

Dr Willis is the president of the Camden Historical Society and an author of several books chronicling the history of the local area.

Dr Willis said he was honoured by the award.

“It’s a great honour, it’s a recognition from the community of your work,” he said.

Dr Willis said he had a passion for the history of Camden and believed it was important that local history was preserved.

“In all cultures in human history storytelling is a big part in how they project their identity,” he said.

“Camden, both the town and the district, has always had a strong sense of place, which is not always the case with other areas.

“Local history studies aren’t as appreciated as much as they should be in academic circles ... I think the cream of my work has been having local history published in peer-reviewed academic journals.

“I’m proud that I’ve been able to project Camden onto an international platform in the academic area.”

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

Cliff Austen, Glen Alpine

For service to the sport of shooting

Cliff Austen.

Nowra Rifle Club:

• President, since 1994.
• Former Secretary.
• President, New South Wales Shooting Association, since 2008.
• President, New South Wales Match Rifle and Long Range F Class Association, since 2015.
• Former Secretary and Public Officer, Illawarra and Districts Rifle Clubs Association, 2000-2018.
• Former Councillor, Council of the New South Wales Rifle Association.
• Former Shoalhaven Branch Official, Sporting Shooters Association of NSW.
• Former Committee Member, Shoalhaven City Council Nowra Rifle Club.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Recipient, Life Membership, Nowra Rifle Club, 1999.

BRIAN STEWART, Camden

For service to the Baptist Church of Australia

Rev Brian Stewart.

Church:

• Pastor, Camden Baptist Church, 1997-2008.
• Pastor, Dubbo Baptist Church, 1976-1997.
• Past Member, Camden Council Inter Faith Committee.
• Director, World of Life Mission Board, in the early 1970s.

Hope 103.2 Christian Radio Station:

• Chaplain, 2010-2015.
• Volunteer Presenter, 1998-2015.
• Volunteer, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, since 2008.
• Justice of the Peace, NSW, since 1971.
• Board Member, Dubbo Hospital, 1986-1993.

SEAN LANGSHAW, Picton

For service to people with a disability

Disability South West CEO Sean Langshaw has been volunteering since the age of 14. Pictured in 2015 with Leanne Trama and Kelly Alcock. Photographer: Adam Yip

Disability South West:

• Chief Executive Officer, since 2001.
• Former Disability Advocacy Officer.

South West Community Transport:

• Chair, 2008-2012.
• Member, 2002-2013.

Liverpool Youth Needs Committee:

• Chair, 2006.
• Public Officer, 2004.
• Member, 2002.

Liverpool Fairfild Community Resource Centre:

• Treasurer, 2004-2007.
• Director, 2002-2003.
• Former Board Member.

Scouts Australia:

• Scout Leader since, 1996.
• Leader, 1st Cobbity Scout Group, since 2004.
• Former Group Leader, 1st Cobbity Scout Group.
• Volunteer, Park Ranger, Cataract Scout Park, 2003-2005.
• Treasurer, NSW Scout Heritage and Fellowship, 2009-2016.

Other:

• Member, Liverpool Access Committee, current.
• Member, Australia Day Awards Committee, Wollondilly Shire Council, 2004-2014.
• Justice of the Peace, since 2000.

GEOFF FOWLER, Camden

For service to engineering

Geoff Fowler.

Director, Fowler Engineering Consultancy, since 1999.

Temporary assignments with Local Government Appointments NSW include:

• Project Manager, Warren Shire Council, 2017.
• Development Engineer, Mid-Western Regional Council, 2016.
• Director Engineering, Warren Shire Council, 2012-2013.
• Development Engineer, Dubbo City Council, 2010-2011.
• Project Engineer, Wingecarribee, 2010.
• Acting in all facets of local government engineering and emergency management in Councils of Bankstown, Wollondilly, Auburn, Holroyd, Liverpool and Wollongong.

Campbelltown Council:

• Director, Engineering Services, 1990-1999.
• Deputy City Engineer, 1977-1990.
• Local Government Engineer, 1958-1999.
• Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW Division)
• Member, many years.
• Judge, Engineering Excellence Awards, since 1999.
• Emeritus Member, since 2017.

PHIL O’BRIEN, Tahmoor

For service to school sports and to education

Phil O’Brien.

Sydney South West Schools Sports Association:

• Volunteer Official, Secondary and Primary levels, since 2013.
• Regional President, 2002-2013.
• Chairman, Regional Judiciary, Disputes and Review Panel, 1998-2013.
• Life Member, 2013.
• Vice President, Metropolitan South West School Sport, 1991-2002.
• Vice President, Riverina Schools Sports Association, 1982-1990.
• Rugby League Official, since 1969.

Group 6 Referees Association:

• President, 1997-2000.
• Senior Vice President, 1994-1996.
• Life Member, 2001.
• Department of Education, New South Wales
• Assisted School Travel Officer (casual), 2017.

Picton High School:

• Deputy Principal, 2002-2013.
• Head Teacher (Mathematics), 1991-2002.
• Head Teacher, Tumbarumba High School, 1988.
• Teacher (Mathematics), various schools, 1975-1979.

RONALD SHEPHERD, Camden

For service to the community through bell ringing

Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers:

• Towers and Bells Officer, North East Branch, 30 years.
• Involved with the creation and project management of new bell towers, 30 years.
• Tower Captain, St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, 2000, 1981-1984.
• Honorary Life Membership, ‘for making new projects happen by effective communication with potential owners and others, as well as sourcing bells, donors, bell frames and for teaching’, 1994.