Australia Day 2022: north shore residents named in honours list
Pioneers in medical research, music, and even groundbreaking vaccinations for pets are among a long list of north shore residents to make the 2022 Australia Day Honours list.
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The outstanding achievements of residents across Sydney’s north shore have been recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.
While most of us will be lighting up the barbie on Australia Day, 27 locals will be receiving the nation’s highest honour for their contributions in fields ranging from medicine to art and social work.
Among the recipients was Alice Kang, whose work as a nurse supporting veterans led her on a journey to become a founding member of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Concord.
The walkway honours all those who fought for Australia during World War II with a particular focus on the sacrifices made during key Papua New Guinea battles along the Kokoda Track.
“My involvement in the memorial started with my work at Concord Hospital – I’ve been there for 46 years and one of my jobs has been to oversee veterans service because Concord was built as a military hospital,” she said.
“One of the things that struck me not much was known about the campaign yet it was such a major battle fought in our near backyard – we’ve used the memorial as a way of telling the story and the story of veterans.
“It’s 26 years this year since we founded it and it makes sure the sacrifices are not forgotten.
“Today the memorial has grown – we have about 158,000 visitors annually and 4500 kids who come for excursions.
“Some of the veterans have been able to tell their stories in their later years – in some cases for the first time – and find peace within themselves.
“It’s been a long journey and I’ve been so blessed to meet so many veterans and work with so many other volunteers.”
Also honoured was Louise Mahoney who leads the Dreams2Live4 charity.
Established in 2009 in the memory of Louise’s sister Annie who died of cancer, the charity makes dreams come true for people who are living with metastatic cancer, relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukaemia and aggressive brain tumours.
Since its launch, the charity has grown to operate in 200 hospitals nationwide, making a dream come every 48 hours someownere in Australia
“Sometimes we’ll plan a dream a year in advance, at other times we’ve had to make arrangements at very short notice,” Ms Mahoney said.
“We’ve helped make dreams come true for people aged from 17 sometimes into their 90s.
“We arrange things like concerts, visits to the cricket, family holidays. The dreams vary a lot through the generations,
“A lot of it’s not rocket science – for a lot of adults, the things they’ve missed are the everyday things – spending time with family and friends.
“It’s all about making special memories that will last through generations to come. The ripple effect is massive.
“It’s an incredible gift to give someone in such a dark time in their life. It brings a huge amount of joy and light.”
Governor-general David Hurley said the awards shined a spotlight on Australians who represented the best of who we are as a nation.
“Collectively the recipients, whose achievements span community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, represent the strength and diversity of Australia,” 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,” he said.
The recipients from Sydney’s north shore include:
Susan Horwitz (AM)
Ms Horwitz was recognised for her significant service to the community, and to sport. The Mosman resident is the current director of Sport NSW and has served in key leadership positions in organisations including Womensport and Recreation and Chief Executive Women Australia. Ms Horwitz has also been a director of the Bell Shakespeare Company and supporting patron of Sculpture by the Sea. In 2003, she was awarded the Centenary Medal for her services to business leadership in Australia.
Kristine Barlow-Stewart (AM)
Ms Barlow-Stewart was recognised for her significant service to medicine in the field of human genetics, and to education. The Kirribilli resident has served as clinical associate professor in the discipline of genetic medicine at The University of Sydney since 2007. She was also the founding director of the Centre for Genetics Education at Royal North Shore Hospital, and served on multiple state, national and international health and education committees. Ms Barlow-Stewart has also published 133 health publications including 46 peer reviewed articles.
Geoffrey Herkes (AM)
Mr Herkes was recognised for his significant service to medicine as a neurologist, to medical research, and to professional associations. He currently works as a senior staff specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital and is a director of research at Adventist HealthCare. The Pymble resident’s work in the medical field has also included chairing multiple committees for the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and serving as the director of the Brain Foundation.
Alice Killen (AM)
Ms Killen was recognised for her significant service to medical administration, and to healthcare delivery. Her extensive work in the medical field has included serving in chief executive positions for the Skin & Cancer Foundation Australia, and the Mater Hospital North Sydney. The Waverton resident has also worked for the SDN Children’s Services, the Friends of the Mater Foundation, and was Involved in establishing a mentoring program for junior doctors at the Medical Women’s Society of NSW.
Graeme Morgan (AM)
Mr Morgan was recognised for his significant service to medicine through radiation oncology practice and research. Over more than four decades, his work in the field has included serving as a director and staff specialist in radiation oncology at St Vincent’s and Royal North Shore Hospitals. The Pymble resident has also had leading positions at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Department of Health.
Saxon Smith (AM)
Mr Smith was recognised for his significant service to medicine as a dermatologist and researcher, and to professional societies. The Willoughby resident has served in leadership positions in organisations including the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Australian Medical Association. His long list of career achievements also includes authorising more than 90 published peer reviewed journal articles and more than 125 published abstracts.
Arthur Webster (AM)
Mr Webster was recognised for his significant service to veterinary science, to business, and to tertiary education. The pioneering Lane Cove resident led the development of world’s first canine parvovirus vaccine in the 1970s along with the first poultry vaccine range using SPF eggs, and first range of live attenuated feline vaccines. Since 1997, he has served as the chair and director of RealDerma and previously worked in veterinary science positions for the University of Sydney.
Ian Frame (OAM)
Mr Frame was recognised for his service to the community through a range of organisations. The Turramurra resident has served on many local organisations including Knox Grammar School where is the current president of the Senior Knoxonians’ Group. He has also been a past member and leader at Scouts New South Wales in Turramurra, served as chief executive for the Building Products Innovation Council, is a life member of the Australian Window Association, and has been awarded previous honours including HSBC Volunteer of the Year for his services to rugby.
Philippa Bloomfield (OAM)
Ms Bloomfield was recognised for her service to youth through Girl Guides. The Turramurra resident became an Assistant Brownie Girl’s Guide Leader in 1978 and has since served in a range of leadership roles within the organisation including a district manager for Girls Guides in West Pymble and South Turramurra. Ms Bloomfield is also a member of the Turramurra Community Baptist Church.
Jack Hargreaves (OAM)
Mr Hargreaves was recognised for his service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Alongside his fellow north shore teammate Alexander Purnell, the Neutral Bay resident claimed his gold medallist in men’s coxless four rowing event at the 2020 Olympics. His sporting career has also included many other highlights including gold medals in the men’s four event at the World Rowing Championships in 2017-2018.
Charles Cornwell (OAM)
Mr Cornwell was recognised for his service to community health as a psychologist and social worker. The Lane Cove resident is an honorary life member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy, and a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and Australian Psychological Society. He also co-founded the Family Therapy Institute of Australia and has worked as a family therapist and psychologist at Max Cornwell and Associates since 1984.
Alice Kang (OAM)
Ms Kang was recognised for her service to veterans, and to community health. The Pymble resident was a founding member of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway and remains a board member, honorary secretary and treasurer. Ms Kang has also had a long association with Concord Hospital, working as a nurse, an assistant director of the nursing critical care unit, and serving as a director of marketing and community relations.
John Winning (OAM)
Mr Winning was recognised for his service to sailing. The Riverview resident has been a member of the Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club since 1956 and has served in various leadership roles for the club including secretary and treasurer. Mr Winning is also a life member of the Australian National Sabot Council and in 2017 was named Volunteer of the Year by Australian Sailing.
Louise Mahoney (OAM)
Ms Mahoney was recognised for her service to the community through charitable organisations. The Wahroonga resident has served as the chief executive and dream maker for Dreams2Live4 since 2009. The organisation was set up to make dreams come true for people who are living with metastatic cancer, relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukaemia and aggressive brain tumours.
Beverley Kable (OAM)
Ms Kable was recognised for her service to the community through charitable organisations. Ms Kable’s extensive community work includes volunteering for the Variety Club Charity Car Rallies, the Sargood Rehabilitation Centre, and St Albans Volunteer Bushfire Brigade. The North Sydney resident has also served as a member of the Gordon Rugby Club since 1962 and is a volunteer fundraiser for the club.
Philippa Graham (OAM)
Ms Graham was recognised for her service to the creative arts, particularly as a sculptor. The Cremorne resident founded Sculpture on the Farm and is the current chair of the Dungog event. She has served as a committee member for The Sculptors Society, and is the serving director of the Dungog Arts Foundation.
Colin Piper (OAM)
Mr Piper was recognised for his service to music. The Lane Cove resident has an extensive music career including as a percussionist for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for 44 years. He was also a founding member and percussionist at the Synergy Percussion Ensemble, a music director at Lane Cove Orchestra and has also served in multiple music teaching roles.
Pamela Cohen (OAM)
Ms Cohen was recognised for her service to community health, and to the social work profession. The Mosman resident has worked for St Vincent’s Hospital since the 1970s and is currently an accredited mental health social worker for St Vincent’s Clinic in Darlinghurst. Ms Cohen has also served in various teaching and social work positions including for the NSW Health Commission and Dr Barnardo’s Sydney.
Laurence Mather (OAM)
Mr Mather was recognised for his services to anaesthesia and pain management as a research scientist and educator. The Milsons Point resident’s extensive medical career includes work at the University of Sydney and Flinders University of South Australia. He has authored and co-authored more than 300 research publications and text book chapters since 1968 and has also worked for organisations including the National Health and Medical Research Council
Alexander Purnell (OAM)
Mr Purnell was recognised For service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020. Along with his fellow north shore teammate Jack Hargreaves, Mr Purnell claimed his gold medallist in men’s coxless four rowing event at the 2020 Olympics. The Killara resident’s sporting career has also included a silver medal at the men’s quad event at the 2018 World Rowing Championships. He is a current member of the Sydney University Boat Club.
Barbara Osborne (OAM)
Ms Osborne was recognised for her service to the community through charitable organisations. The Kurraba Point resident’s charity work includes serving as a president and volunteer for Barnardos Australia and the Infants’ Home. She was also the founding volunteer for the Maranatha Trustin in 1976 and has volunteered for Turramurra Meals on Wheels for 25 years. Ms Osbourne is also a supporter of organisations including the Exodus Foundation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Lydia Sharpin (OAM)
Ms Sharpin was recognised for her service to the community through a range of organisations. The Wahroonga resident has worked for St John Ambulance New South Wales since 1995 and is currently a councillor for the organisation’s greater metropolitan state council. Ms Sharpin has also contributed to the community through work including as a desk co-ordinator and justice of the peace for the NSW Justices Association and as a school literacy volunteer at Warrawee Public School.
Peter Ryan (OAM)
Mr Ryan was recognised for his service to the broadcast media as a journalist. Mr Ryan has served in various leadership roles for the ABC and currently a senior business correspondent for the broadcaster. Ms Ryan is also a current trustee of the NSW Journalists Benevolent Fund, and has received previous honours including a Walkley Award In 2017.
Heck Van Den Heuvel (OAM)
Mr Van Den Heuvel was recognised for his service to the building industry. The Naremburn resident is the serving general manager of remedial building firm Andersal Pty Ltd, which specialises in facade and structural restoration, concrete repairs and waterproofing. He is also a board member and past president of the Australasian Concrete Repair Association, a committee member of the NSW Master Builders Association, and a member of Engineers Australia and the Strata Community Association NSW.
Robert Sinclair (OAM)
Mr Sinclair was recognised for his service to the community through a range of organisations. The North Sydney resident has a seven-decade affiliation with the Lane Cove Rugby Club, beginning as a player in the 1950s and is founder of the 100 Club. Mr Sinclair is also a volunteer patient transfer driver and ambassador for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Mr Sinclair was previously bestowed the Peter Kelly Medal from the NSW Suburban Rugby Union for his service to rugby.
Helge Rasmussen (OAM)
Mr Rasmussen was recognised for his service to medicine as a cardiologist. The Neutral Bay resident currently works as consultant cardiologist at North Shore Private Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital’s department of cardiology. He also contributed 39 years of research to Northwestern University, Chicago, USA and Royal North Shore Hospital. Mr Rasmussen has also served as a professor and teacher at the University of Sydney.
David Timms (OAM)
Mr Timms was recognised for his service to the minerals sector. Mr Timms had an extensive career in the industry including working as a geological consultant, exploration manager and chief geologist for. He was a committee member of the Sydney Mineral Exploration Discussion Group and in 2016 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Medal from the organisation. Mr Timms was also a 26-year member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
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