‘Humble Heroes’: Australia Day Honours awards list of Gold Coasters
From groundbreaking medical excellence to world-class surf life saving, a group of remarkable Gold Coasters have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List. Check out the full list
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From groundbreaking research and medical excellence to world-class surf life saving, a group of remarkable Gold Coasters have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
Each with their own stories of selflessness and dedication, 1042 Australians were acknowledged by the Governor-General on Australia Day.
Among them was Andrew McNeilly. For 30 years he has been the guardian angel flying above the Gold Coast as the Westpac rescue helicopter chief crewmen.
Today he was awarded the Australian Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
Mr McNeilly has been involved in Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) since he was 7.
He told the Gold Coast Bulletin his passion was “saving lives,” as he continues his career with SLSQ as their chief helicopter training officer.
“The most important thing for me was to provide a service to the community … I am humbled and honoured to be awarded the Australian Emergency Services Medal for 2024,” he said.
“There are quite a lot of tasks and incidents that will stay with me all my life and unfortunately some of those are quite tragic and very confronting. So I want to stress that all of our members deserve to be recognised.
“None of our workers seek accolades, the helicopter service is run by Surf Life Saving and 80 per cent of our crew are volunteers and without them we could not run this service.”
Joining Mr McNeilly on the ESM honours list is Susan Neil (OAM).
Mrs Neil and her partner Colin Neil, who was also nominated for an ESM honour, found their passion for surf life saving when they took their children to nippers more than 10 years ago.
Although it was the nippers that reeled the Neils in all those years ago, it is the sense of community that keeps them coming back.
“I’m honoured, I’m humbled but it is a team effort in this community we all love,” she said.
The Neils have travelled to California, Trinidad and Tobago to train their lifeguards and navy SEALs.
“Queensland is definitely way ahead of the rest of the world when it comes down to surf life saving, we have 36,000 volunteers which is just amazing,” Mrs Neil said.
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
Few Australian journalists have their fingers in as many pies as Surfers Paradise’s Craig Bennett, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service in broadcast media as an entertainment reporter.
“An email came through from the Governor-General’s office to ask if I would accept the reward, which of course I did with absolute joy, gusto, delight, privilege and honour,” Mr Bennett said.
The Studio 10 entertainment veteran added: “To get an award like this is different because it’s not just showbiz specific, it’s looking back at a long career … It’s a tremendous honour and I feel absolutely chuffed to be nominated and to be receiving an Order of Australia, it is terrific.”
Mr Bennett said his life on the Gold Coast has been filled with joy and happiness.
“I have to say I should have moved 22-years ago … I love it here, you’ve got the laid back wonderful Gold Coast life, swaying palms, blue skies and life could not be more joyous.”
A HELPING HAND
Doctor David Stabler has been helping people on the Gold Coast for more than 40 years, starting in 1984, and has now been awarded an OAM for his service in orthopaedic surgery.
Speaking to this publication, the Gold Coast Private Hospital upper limb surgeon said his greatest achievement was to see his daughter, Doctor Annabelle Stabler, become an orthopaedic surgeon.
Having spent nearly three years chairing the Orthopaedic Services Committee, Dr Stabler was involved in recruiting and training doctors across the nation.
“I’ve been here since early 1984, almost 40 years on the Gold Coast and it is an honour and a privilege to be recognised for this award,” Dr Stabler said.
“We can only spend so much time on boards and committees due (to) enormously support from our spouse and families.”
“I think we did a lot of good for the country in making sure every orthopaedic surgeon who comes here from overseas is at the same standard as our own surgeons.”
He said he would retire from surgery in March this year as he moves into consultation, but praised his daughter Annabelle who specialised in pediatric orthopaedic surgery.
“She’s going to be taking over my hand surgery practice so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to do this with my daughter, that’s probably the highlight of my whole career actually.”
EDUCATION OF A NATION
Professor of education and director of engagement in the Arts Education and Law group at Griffith UniversityDonna Pendergast was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for her significant contribution to tertiary education.
The Paradise Point local said the award came “out of the blue.”
“Serving in roles such as the chairperson of the Queensland Council of Deans of Education and also the vice president of the Australian Council provided lots of demand in shaping and reforming education policy nationally,” Prof Pendergast said.
“All of this is really about providing as much input into education as I could possibly manage.”
BRIAN’S LIFE AT SEA
Brian Higgins, 82, from Hollywell was recognised for his frontline and leadership support for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.
Mr Higgins told the Bulletin he had conducted over 200 rescue missions and accumulated more than 2400 sea hours.
“When you go to bed at three O’clock in the morning after going 15 miles offshore to rescue some idiot off a tinny with his dog who went fishing … well we did lots of that,” Mr Higgins said.
In his current role as the deputy squadron commodore, his responsibilities include organising all marine rescue members and vessels in SEQ. This includes approximately 400 volunteers across four emergency rescue bases and a fleet of 15 vessels.
Jeffery Maurice from Jacobs Well was nominated for a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to veterans and to business. Mr Maurice was the former chair of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Association in Queensland and was previously awarded with a Defence Force Service Medal in 1993 and 1998. While Surfers Paradise resident Dianne Leggo, 83, was awarded an OAM for her lifelong service to women through Zonta International.
Governor-General David Hurley in unveiling this year’s Australia Day honours said: “Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s Honours List.
“Recipients have made a difference and had an impact at the local, national and/or international level. Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities.”
Out of 739 individuals awarded in the Order of Australia (general division), 373 were women, making up 50.5 per cent of the honours.
Notably, 49 recipients were recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A separate Honour Roll for COVID-19 service has been included in this package. In addition to the General Division, the honours list featured 20 awards in the Military Division, 224 Meritorious awards and 59 Distinguished/Conspicuous awards. Over 42 per cent of awards (310 in total) were for outstanding service or achievement in the community.
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