FULL LIST: Gold Coast greats Rebecca Frizelle, Perry Cross among those recognised in 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Eight Gold Coast residents have been honoured by the Queen for their outstanding contributions to Australia. Here’s why they deserve a round of applause today.

Eight Gold Coast greats have been honoured by the Queen for their outstanding contribution to Australia.

The Queen’s Birthday 2020 Order of Australia Honours List recognises more than 700 outstanding and inspirational Australians including three appointed Companion of the Order (AC), 50 appointed Officer of the Order (AO), 200 appointed Member of the Order (AM), 457 awarded Medal of the Order (OAM).

A further 223 Australians were recognised through meritorious and military awards.

Recipients will be invested with their awards either by the Governor-General at Government House in Canberra, or by a State Governors, when COVID – 19 restrictions allow.

OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

TERRY JACKMAN, 78, MERMAID BEACH

For distinguished service to the community through support for educational and medical research organisations, and to tourism and business.

READ HIS STORY HERE

Terry Jackman AO. Photo: Kit Wise

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

PERRY CROSS, 45, BROADBEACH

For significant service to people living with a spinal cord injury and as a role model.

Perry’s life unforeseeably and profoundly changed in an instant after a rugby tackle in 1994, at the age of 19, that left him a C2 ventilated quadriplegic.

He established The Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation in 2010 to facilitate, collaborate and initiate the connections and research find a cure for paralysis.

Mr Cross is also a global ambassador for spinal cord repair research and a motivational speaker.

Perry said he was grateful he lived in a great country, which allowed “someone with a disability to go out and live a fruitful life”.

“I am so grateful for this award,” he said.

“I am enabled by the people around me to achieve what I have, it’s important to recognise them too.”

Perry Cross AM. Picture: Jerad Williams

PROFESSOR PHILIP LEO PATRICK MORRIS, 71, ASHMORE

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to psychiatry, to medical education and to professional health organisations.

Mr Morris, a psychiatrist, founded the National Centre for War-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 1994.

The centre prompted investigations and treatment for PTSD in defence force and veteran communities.

He also established the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health and the Lives Lived Well Psychiatric Registrar Addiction Medicine Specialist Training Placement.

He also works with Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Gold Coast Memory Disorders Clinic, Gold Coast Medical Association, University of Melbourne’s Australian Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health, Lives Lived Well and Trinity Lutheran Church.

He wanted to thank his mother, wife, colleagues and god for all their support and blessings.

“It’s a true honour and it’s thanks to those who have helped me along the way,” Mr Morris said.

Dr Philip Morris AM. Picture: Luke Mortimer

STEFAN ACKERIE, 79, HOPE ­ISLAND

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to business and through support for charitable organisations.

Stefan is synonymous with hairdressing and philanthropy in Australia.

He is the owner and founder of more than 30 ‘Stefan’ hairdressing salons in Queensland, Brisbane’s Jo-Jo’s Restaurant, Stefan Boating World, and Bach Living.

Stefan said his career highlight was surviving 55 years in business.

“I feel very privileged that a new Australian and a tradie could receive such an honour,” the entrepreneur said.

“All my life I thought professors and super duper high IQ people got this, I didn’t think hairdressers could get it.

“It’s surreal and I feel very honoured.

“I wish my mother was around to see it. As a kid she told me I was good. Finally, I believed her”.

He is also the founder of kids charity Stefan’s Mask Foundation and works with a number of not-for-profit organisations including Disability Sports Queensland and The Mother Teresa Foundation.

Stefan Ackerie AM. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

THOMAS HERBERT HOLMES, BURLEIGH WATERS

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to surf lifesaving and to the community.

Since the 1960s, Mr Holmes has been a examiner at North Burleigh Surf Club.

He was the club president from 1966 to 1967 and 1967 to 1968 and has volunteered as a club captain.

He re-established Townsville Rowing Club in 1989.

Mr Holmes has also volunteered with Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club and was the club president in 2018 and 2019.

In the community, Mr Holmes has worked tirelessly with Diamond Head Neighbourhood Watch (2006-2014), Heatley Primary School ­Parents and Citizens (1976-1980), Heatley Rangers Junior Soccer Club (1981-1985), and Aitkenvale Scout Group (1986-1988).

REBECCA FRIZELLE, SOUTHPORT

For service to the automotive sector and to rugby league.

READ HER STORY HERE

Rebecca Frizelle OAM. Picture Glenn Hampson

RALPH DAVID HARTLAND, 83, CARRARA

Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community.

Mr Hartland said his career highlights were the 10 years he spent as the chairman of LifeFlight (formerly CareFlight), his work with All Saints Anglican School and his time with Southport Golf Club as president, treasurer and life member. Hartland Visual Art Centre at All Saints Anglican School in Merrimac is named in his honour.

He has also contributed to the Rotary Clubs of Nerang and Indooroopilly, is a life-member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and Queensland State Council, and a former member of the Board of Advanced Education.

Mr Hartland said he felt “very lucky to be recognised”.

“It’s a true honour because a lot of people do great things.”

MARK PETERS, 67, BUNDALL

For service to sports administration and to baseball.

READ HIS STORY HERE

Mark Peters OAM. Picture: Jerad Williams