Musician, professor, scientist among six to take out prestigious award
We already knew Moonee Valley had the best people around – and now it’s official. Check out these amazing citizens who have landed themselves a spot on the Australia Day honours list.
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A musician, a professor and a scientist are just a few Moonee Valley stars who will be celebrated for their amazing achievements this Australia Day.
Six talented individuals in Moonee Valley have been awarded a spot on the Australia Day honours list for their contributions to the community and the country.
Keilor East’s Wayne Bowden, who received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to music and brass bands, said he was very surprised and humbled by the news.
“I didn’t expect to get a call, I thought the people who would get a call would be TV personalities, not someone like me just sitting on the couch in my home,” he said.
The talented musician was introduced to brass instruments at just seven and has never looked back.
He now teaches brass three days a week at Gilson College and conducts for several brass bands including Legends of Brass, Sunshine Community Brass and Heidelberg Brass Band.
Some of his greatest accomplishments include being named Victorian Euphonium Champion 19 times, Australian National Euphonium Champion 11 times and Victorian Trombone Champion three times.
But Mr Bowden said his all-time career highlight was winning Australian and New Zealand Champion of Champions in 1980.
“I played there in 1972 when I first started playing euphonium and I came fourth, so I decided I’d wait awhile until I thought I was a much better player,” he said.
“I practised my absolute socks off and I was fortunate to win that championship.”
The 67-year-old said his grandfather taught his father how to play the baritone, who then taught him as a young boy.
“But I was better than dad when I was 14 years old,” Mr Bowden said.
The musician said music gave him something to focus on when managing his ADHD and Asperger’s.
“It’s probably been an advantage more than a disadvantage,” Mr Bowden said.
“Music is my life and I’m very passionate about it, the way you can express yourself as a human being.”
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The Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia David Hurley said the people recognised were outstanding and exemplified the best of Australia.
“They’re extraordinary but also, in the best possible way, ordinary,” he said.
“The fantastic thing, the inspirational thing, is that we all know people like those who have been recognised today – people who look out for each other and, day-in-day-out, serve their communities in ways big and small.”
CHECK OUT THE OTHER MOONEE VALLEY RECIPIENTS:
SHANE HUNTINGTON, KEILOR EAST
Received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to science as a communicator.
Shane Huntington has been a deputy director at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences since 2018.
He has held many other roles at the university, including as a science and engineering host for Upclose podcast.
He has taken his talents and used them to co-found the Telescopes in Schools Program since 2011, and presents Einstein A Go-Go for radio Triple R.
NENIA TAVROU, ASCOT VALE
Received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through a range of roles.
Nenia Tavrou is the true definition of a community angel, dedicating her life to helping others.
She has been a tutor to migrants, a volunteer for various programs and a foster carer for BaptCare for 14 years.
She is also the author of three books, including most recently A Humorous Look at Living with Epilepsy.
ROBERT SHEPHERD, ASCOT VALE
Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to biomedical research, and to education.
Robert Shepherd is a principal scientist at University of Melbourne, and was previously the head of the Medical Bionics Department.
He has made a significant contribution to medical research over his lifetime including the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and Cochlear’s bionic ear.
He has held several international research appointments and was named one of Knowledge Society’s top 100 Australian leaders in 2015.
TERRY KANELLOS, PASCOE VALE SOUTH
Received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to veterans and their families, and to the community.
Terry Kanellos was a Major in the Australian Army Reserve between 1981 and 2017.
He is a member of the donor support team and emergency services team for the Australian Red Cross and volunteers his time at the Australian Army Cadets.
He has also been a member of the Victorian State Emergency Service since 2015.
As well as keeping our country safe, Major Kanellos has done his part for the community by volunteering for the Pascoe Vale South Neighbourhood Watch Program between 1997 and 2001.
WASANTHA PERERA, ESSENDON
Received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Sri Lankan community of Victoria, and to engineering.
Wasantha Perera is a chartered professional engineer at the Australian Institution of Engineers and works as a communication engineer for Telstra.
He has been a member of the Sri Lankan Study Centre for the Advancement of Technology and Social Welfare Inc since 1993, and was most recently president until 2018.
He has contributed to many heartwarming projects in Sri Lanka including developing primary schools and children’s hospitals.