Full list: Eastern suburbs residents named in Australia Day honours

Eastern suburbs residents have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours list. We take a look at the worthy recipients:

Eastern suburbs residents have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours list.

Every year on our national day of celebration, Australians who go above and beyond to serve their community have their outstanding achievements honoured in the Australia Day honours list.

We take a look at this year’s recipients from Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Anthony Bastic AM – for significant service to the special events industry.

Anthony Bastic, a former curator of Vivid Sydney and Darling Point local, has been honoured for his service to the special events industry.

As well as being one of the creative visionaries behind the city’s annual festival of light, Mr Bastic has enjoyed success in various other ventures, including 13 years working as Sydney Opera House’s programs managers and running his own internationally recognised events company AGB Events.

Anthony Bastic.

When reflecting on being recognised with an AM this Australia Day, Mr Bastic says he was “very honoured”.

“It’s great to be recognised this way, I just want to continue creating these experiences for people to enjoy,” he said.

My mindset has always been that everyone, no matter what background they may have, should be entitled to engage with a rich cultural life.”

Mr Alexander William OAM – For Service to Golf

Good sportsmanship and helping people to succeed are among the qualities that have earned legendary golf coach Alexander William an OAM.

The 89-year-old has enjoyed an extensive career as both a professional golfer in his own right, and a revered coach responsible for some of Australia’s greatest golfers.

Alex Mercer OAM at home in Rose Bay

Among those who Mr Mercer can count as his star pupils are David Graham, Steve Elkington, Brendan Jones and Peter O’Malley, the latter who still to this day refers to Mr Mercer as his coach.

Although it’s not just world famous athletes Mr Mercer has time for, the golfing maestro has dedicated a significant amount of his time over the years helping junior and amateur players, holding coaching sessions for the vision impaired and taking regular trips to Papua New Guinea to teach the game.

Despite having coached both Australia and New Zealand’s national golf teams, Mr Mercer remains humble.

“I just get on with it,” he says.

His wife of 57 years Shirley Mercer is his biggest cheerleader and couldn’t hide her pride when sharing her husband’s achievements.

When reflecting on her husband being awarded an OAM Mrs Mercer says he has never sought recognition for his accomplishments.

“He just does it for his love of the game and his sheer joy in helping people, he’s a wonderful father and husband and we couldn’t be prouder of him” Mrs Mercer said.

She also said out of everything listed on her husband’s impressive resume, his best gift is his ability to make people believe in themselves.

“He gives people self belief and shows them what they can be capable of.”

Dr Debra Graves OAM – For service to medical administration, particularly to pathology.

As chief executive officer for the Royal College of Pathologists Australia for over 20 years Dr Debra Graves is a vocal advocate for the science of pathology, and the vital role it plays in keeping the community safe – especially over the last three years during the Covid pandemic.

A recent accomplishment by the RCPA was the development of a world first quality assurance program for lab Covid-19 testing, the model of which then became a blue print for other pathologists all over the world.

Dr Debra Graves OAM

As well as holding a masters in health administration from UNSW, Dr Graves is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an associate fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Executives.

She has also authored numerous peer-reviewed papers on the study of pathology.

Dr Graves, who is from Paddington, says she was “passionate about the training of pathologists and the promotion of science and practice of pathology”.

Richard Evans AM – For significant service to performing arts administration

A passionate advocate for Australia’s performing arts, Mr Richard Evans, from Edgecliff has been recognised with an AM for his continued work in arts administration.

Since 2018 and 2016, Mr Evans has been the managing director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and president of Live Performance Australia respectively, as well as the chairman of Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals.

Richard Evans.

In the past he has worked with the Australian Ballet as executive director, the chief executive of Sydney Opera House and managing director of Bell Shakespeare Company.

Mr Evans says the main focus of his work is to “create an environment where artists can create their best work”.

“It’s really about seizing this moment and for Australia to come to terms with itself and its future,” he said.

Mr Evans says maintaining a lively cultural heartbeat is more important than ever for Australia.

“Our national cultural identity is forged by the stories we tell, the music we make, the dance we produce, this is what people think about when they think of Australia, it is a vital part of everyday life,” he said.

Mr Rodney Turner Halstead OAM – For service to the community in a range of roles

Rodney Halstead

An accomplished lawyer by trade, Rodney Halstead, from Woollahra has also helped pioneer cardiovascular research through his dedicated service to the Heart Research Institute Australia.

Mr Halstead has been involved with the institute for over 30 years, starting as their honorary solicitor in 1988 before becoming both governor and director in 2018 as well as chairing two of their subcommittees.

The institute performs groundbreaking studies into the treatment and causes for Australia’s leading cause of death.

Since 1993 Mr Halstead has also been a partner of Clayton Lutz, one of Australia’s most prestigious law firms, and has regularly offered probBono legal services to those in the business world.

When looking back at his service in both the medical research and legal profession, Mr Halstead said he was most proud of watching the Heart Institute grow from strength to strength over the years.

“I’m proud of the institute, it started many years ago in a relatively small way founded by a group of scientists and has since built itself to be a significant research centre, it’s an achievement by a number of people,” he said.

“To be recognised for these services I’ve provided and enjoyed doing, that’s something to be somewhat chuffed about.”