Gloucester, Frederickton, Dunbogan, Port Macquarie locals honoured for Queen’s Birthday

Residents across the Mid North Coast, including from Gloucester, Frederickton, Dunbogan and Port Macquarie have received Queen’s Birthday Honours. Meet the recipients.

The Governor-General has announced Queens Birthday honours for 992 Australians, including Order of Australia titles and meritorious awards for distinguished and conspicuous service.

And there’s plenty of familiar Mid North Coast faces among the recipients.

From Gloucester to Frederickton, hardworking volunteers, committee members, historians, environmental conservationists, and indigenous education ambassadors have been recognised.

“Recipients share some common traits – including selflessness, excellence and a commitment to service,” Mr Hurley said.

“They’re from different backgrounds, their stories are each unique, and each has served in different ways – this diversity is a strength and each has impacted their community and made it better.

“For that, we thank them and, today, we celebrate them.”

Across the region, five people were granted an Order of Australia title today, and one was the recipient of a meritorious award. They are:

Effie Crawley, Gloucester | Order of Australia

The late Effie Crawley has been sorely missed since her passing in early 2021.

Max Poole, who nominated his fellow volunteer before she passed, said her outstanding and exceptional service to the Gloucester community makes her a worthy recipient of the Order of Australia medal.

“As a young girl, Effie would accompany her mother on RSL commemorations like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and be by her mother’s side cooking and serving meals for the veterans from the local area,” Mr Poole’s citation reads.

“This continued at the Gloucester RSL Sub-Branch for many years when the family moved to Gloucester, her mother joining the Gloucester RSL Women’s Auxiliary.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Effie for around 16 years, and have a close working relationship with her in her role as president of the Gloucester RSL Women’s Auxiliary for many years.”

As well as her work with the Sub-Branch and Returned Services League of Australia, Mrs Crawley was also a member and vice president of the Gloucester Historical Society; board member and legatee of Gloucester Legacy Welfare Group; founding member and treasurer of Gloucester Floral Art Group; and a life member and treasurer of the NSW Floral Arts Association.

In the community more broadly, Mrs Crawley was a member of the Gloucester AH & P for more than 25 years; a former member of the Gloucester Highland Dancing Group, and held a number of positions within the local Brownie and Guide Association.

Philip Lee, Frederickton | Order of Australia

Philip Lee has been recognised with an Order of Australia medal for his service to community history.

He’s written and published two historical books, and contributed to a third, amassing years of research into the lives of soldiers.

Mr Lee is also heavily involved with Macleay River Historical Society, having volunteered with the organisation since 2008 – he has also been president of the group for 10 years.

“I think it’s important to preserve history for the future generations, as well as acknowledging those who came before us,” he said.

“We run the Kempsey Museum, which houses a range of artefacts donated by the public – both indigenous and items post-settlement – and it’s quite popular among both tourists and locals.

“I’m still quite surprised to find out I’ve received an OAM because there’s lots of other deserving people out there – I’m just trying to continue the great legacy those before me have established.”

Mr Lee credits his fellow historians who have worked alongside him over the years including: Judy Waters in the photography department; the late Billie Crawford who set up the group; and Dr Noeline Kyle who has written a number of historical books.

Mr Lee is also a longstanding member of FAWNA NSW — a wildlife rescue organisation which he joined the group in 2004.

This isn’t the first time Mr Lee has been recognised for his work, having received a certification of achievement from the Royal Australia Historical Society in 2016; a Volunteer Week award from the government in the same year; and a 10-year service award from FAWNA in 2014.

Susan Baker, Dunbogan | Order of Australia

Susan Baker’s work in environmental conservation was acknowledged with an Order of Australia medal.

Locals might recognise her name from earlier this year, when she was named Port Macquarie-Hastings’ environmental citizen of the year.

As well as being recognised with an OAM Sue Baker also took home the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council title of Environmental Citizen of the Year, in early 2022.

Ms Baker founded the Dunbogan Bush Care Group in 1999 and has been the co-ordinator ever since.

She’s also been the bush regeneration project officer at the Mid North Coast branch of the NSW National Parks Association since 2000, and has also volunteered for the organisation’s Crowdy Bay bush regeneration project since 1996.

Ms Baker has also published a children’s book on Australian animals, and co-authored seven geography textbooks.

Corey Tutt, Port Macquarie | Order of Australia

Corey Tutt might be familiar to you for a number of reasons: He won the NSW Young Australian of the Year award in 2020; plays rugby union for the Port Macquarie Pirates; is the founder of Deadly Science and has appeared in a number of publications and media programs in recent years.

Mr Tutt has been recognised for his service to indigenous STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

“I’m just so lucky because Deadly Science has a great return on investment – I work very hard, but in return I get to smile every day,” he said.

Mr Tutt founded Deadly Science in 2018 and has been the CEO of the initiative since 2021, he’s also worked with The University of Sydney as a research assistant, animal technician and STEM ambassador.

In the last couple of years, Mr Tutt has put his hand up for a number of committee positions including chair of Inspiring Australia (NSW); a member of Science and Technology Australia’s equity and diversity committee; an ambassador for Powerhouse Museum’s Sydney Science Festival; a board member of Seed Mob; a member of ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterial Science’s media and communications advisory group; and is an ambassador for The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.

This week alone, he’s taken home another two awards for his work, the indigenous achievement title in 7 NEWS Young Achiever Awards NSW & ACT and book of the year for his children’s story The First Scientists.

Mr Tutt says he’s still in shock to be awarded the OAM at such a young age, but credits all his supports for the honour.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped make Deadly Science what it is,” he said.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be an OAM, I feel very lucky to be recognised because there’s so many people out there doing deadly things.

Mr Tutt says there’s a lot of symbolic value attached to this acknowledgment as it shows kids everywhere, especially those young indigenous people in regional communities, that anything’s possible.

Greg Davies, Port Macquarie | Meritorious Award

Greg Davies has volunteered for the Marine Rescue in Port Macquarie for almost a decade – many will recognise his face from the countless community events and fundraisers he’s committed to.

The bestowing of the Emergency Services Medal to Mr Davies is a fitting tribute to recognise his dedication, commitment and loyalty to saving lives on the water.

The local unit commander has been part of countless rescues, tallying up hundreds of hours on the water, over the years – not to mention his efforts in leading Marine Rescue’s largest unit in NSW through the last few years of bushfires, floods and Covid-19.

Mr Davies was also part of the command’s 2019 win at the International Maritime Rescue Federation Awards in London.

The Port Macquarie unit went up against other major organisations and groups, taking home “The Award for Outstanding Team Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations”.

A natural leader, Mr Davies has helped the Marine Rescue team go from strength to strength with volunteer growth and development, strengthened operational capabilities, and plenty of community engagement.

He’s absolutely thrilled with the award, saying he was honoured, humbled and surprised by the news.

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, the news is still sinking in,” Mr Davies said.

He says the whole command, as well as Mr Davies’ friends and family, were excited to hear about the award.