Inspirational Far North citizens named in 2025 Order of Australia honours list

Outstanding and inspirational Far Northerners in Indigenous health, emergency services and business have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list. See the list.

Cairns woman Cheryl Rae, pictured with her dog Mac, has been awarded the Order of Australia in the general division, for her significant service to medicine after working as a dietitian in the Northern Territory for more than 30 years. Picture: Brendan Radke

A woman dedicated to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is one of several Far North Queenslanders recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list.

The list this year recognises 830 outstanding and inspirational Australians in three different categories including Order of Australia honours, meritorious awards; and distinguished and conspicuous military decorations.

Cheryl Rae, now living in Cairns, was acknowledged for significant service to medicine as a dietitian after a lifetime’s work in the Northern Territory health sector.

Co-founder of the Strong Women, Strong Babies, Strong Culture program Ms Rae has dedicated her career to improving the diet of Indigenous people in the NT.

“(The award) was a lovely surprise,” she said.

“But you never do these things in isolation so as far as I’m concerned this award is about the whole nutrition team.

“(Nutrition) has changed a lot now and when you look at the Arnhem Land Progress Association, the outback stores programs have made a massive difference throughout the whole of rural indigenous Australia

“It makes a huge difference to health if you have good food to eat.”

Other Far Northerners who were awarded the general division Order of Australia medal included a Thursday Island Indigenous runner and health advocate and an Ingham-based real estate stalwart.

OAM winner Patrick Brown (right) with Acting Officer in Charge of Ingham Ambulance Station Marko Isokangas. Picture: Cameron Bates

Officer-in-charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, Patrick Brown, was awarded the public service medal for his life of service spanning 45 years with Queensland Ambulance Service which involved attending numerous traumatic incidents, often as a single officer.

A standout job for Mr Brown was in 2008, when a tilt train and B-double truck collided.

The incident involved 81 passengers, seven train crew and the truck driver.

Mr Brown provided an exemplary level of leadership during the multi-casualty incident.

Mr Brown is the cornerstone of the Ingham Ambulance Station and has built strong relationships within his community and as a QAS peer support officer chaplain, he is a trusted and respected confidant to his peers.

Parade Marshal Captain (retired) Felix Reitano. Picture: Cameron Bates

Also based in Ingham, Felix Reitano was acknowledged for his service to business, and to the community of Hinchinbrook as a businessman and army reservist.

He served as the Ancac Day Parade marshal in Ingham for more than 30 years, was made the Hinchinbrook Citizen of the Year in 2024 and was president of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry between 2008 and 2016.

Felix Reitano, pictured shaking hands with Councillor William Garbutt, and his son, Captain (retired) Felix Reitano, at the opening of the family's furniture business in Cartwright Street, Ingham, in the early 1970s. Picture: Supplied

Passionate runner and winner of the NAIDOC community contribution award last year, Harold Matthew was also awarded the Order of Australia in general division for service to the Indigenous community of Thursday Island.

A member of the Indigenous Marathon Project since 2014, Mr Matthew co-founded the Torres Strait Island Running Festival and the Thursday Island Deadly Runners group in 2014.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the King’s Birthday awards recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity within communities throughout the nation.

Thursday Island man Harold Matthew began running after being selected in Rob de Castala's Indigenous Marathon Project. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

“I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today, and in those who have been recognised throughout the fifty-year history of our Australian honours system,” she said.

“Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy, and resolve.

“To all who are being recognised … I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia.”

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Originally published as Inspirational Far North citizens named in 2025 Order of Australia honours list