There were 18 Territorians who received either were inducted into the Order of Australia or received a medal.

Jared Archibald OAM

He is a jack of all knowledge and a master of Territory history.

Darwin local Jared Archibald is being recognised for his tireless service to the museums and galleries sector with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

In his humble opinion he was not entirely sure why he would be receiving such an honour but after spending only ten minutes with Mr Archibald in his solo-curated exhibition Unruly Days it was pretty clear.

Mr Archibald has an impressive scope of knowledge of Territory history, particularly the first ten years of federation between 1911 – 1921.

His first solo curation exhibit located at the Museum and Art Gallery NT epitomises why he is receiving the prestigious recognition.

The popular exhibition which “only scratches the surface” is about when a new era in the Territory was born, “when everything was happening and everything was changing”.

The self-proclaimed “generalist” has filled many roles spanning over his 31 years of service to the museum sector.

Nanna Kwerraye Palmer OAM

The late Nanna Kwerraye Palmer (name used with permission), was a mother and Nanna to anybody.

When her daughter Joyce Palmer received the call from Canberra saying her mother would be awarded an Order of Australia Medal, she was overwhelmed. “Words can’t describe it. She has done a great lot for great deal of people. She was a Mum to anyone.”

Despite Nanna Palmer having five children of her own, she was a prolific community member and educator.

A founding member of Children’s Ground, she sat on the board from 2014 till her passing in 2020.

She was also a member of Yipirinya School Council, and Santa Teresa health Centre. Her connection to country and language sat at the core of how she helped people.

“She looked after any strangers. She helped a lot of people with drugs and alcohol,” said Joyce.

“She took them out bush to learn how to hunt, how to catch kangaroo – to connect with culture.”

A fluent Arrernte speaker, she was a community leader that taught many language Joyce said.

Nanna Palmer was also a founding member of Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programmes Unit in the 1990s and a former boarder Member of Ingkerreke Outstations Resource Services Aboriginal Corporation.

Dr Felix Ho ASM

When Dr Felix Ho thinks back on his 15 years as an intensive care paramedic in the Territory, it’s not the catastrophes and headline grabbing news he thinks of – it’s the small moments of vulnerability he has witnessed.

Dr Ho said some of his most meaningful call outs were to isolated people who just needed someone to turn to in their moment of need.

“It’s not (always) lights and sirens, it’s not life saving but its important to them,” he said. “To be welcomed into people’s homes, sometimes at their most vulnerable.

“We’re making that small difference to someone through that 30 minutes of compassion.”

Dr Ho said he was surprised to be nominated for the Australia Day honours.

“With Covid every health care worker should have that award,” he said. “It’s a tough environment for everyone on the frontline. “You see the best and worst of people.

“We’re providing hospital level care out in the streets.

“The whole health system has really banded together … (In the NT) you never work alone … We’re there with police, and the hospitals all working for the best interests of the patient.”

Alan-Roy Bakamum Marika AM

Alan-Roy Bakamum Marika will join a long line of family members who have been awarded honours. His work for community in Yirrikala, and more widely northeast Arnhem, will be recognised as an member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Since 1984 Mr Marika has represented a number of boards in the community including chairing Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation and Bunuwal Investments.

Seth Dugdell ESM

Long-term Territorian volunteer Seth Dugdell was also awarded the Emergency Services Medal.

Starting as a teenage volunteer in the Queensland orange army, Mr Dugdell moved to the NT, first to Katherine and now Darwin.

For a decade Mr Dugdell has been in a career position managing NTES volunteers across the Top End.

Alan Young-Najukpayi OAM

In the Katherine region, Alan Young-Najukpayi has been awarded an Order of Australia medal for service to Victoria River District Indigenous advocacy where he has strongly advocated for land rights.

All Indigenous leaders and family will be celebrated in Canberra later this year.

Matt Hollamby APM

Commander Matt Hollamby is no stranger to crisis management in his role as Incident Controller during the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Hollamby was the Deputy Controller of the Refugee Reception Centre during the East Timor Crisis and has served with the NT Police Force since 1985.

Nicole Jarvis PSM

Nicole Jarvis has received a Public Service Medal in recognition of her role responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Jarvis currently serves as the federal Department of Health’s state manager for Queensland and the Northern Territory.

But it was her former role establishing a response centre to battle Covid-19 during Victoria’s aged care outbreak that has earnt her an Australia Day honour.

She was the case manager lead to the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre, helping repatriate hundreds of aged care residents safely back to their residences while co-ordinating different state and federal departments.

Ms Jarvis showed dedication, responsiveness, resilience and collaboration in rapidly changing and dire circumstances and she made a material difference to saving lives in residential aged care in Victoria.

Victoria’s second wave in 2020 had disastrous consequences for aged care homes. At the time vaccines had yet to be rolled out to the elderly.

Ian Davie APM

Sen Sgt Ian Davie has served in regional and remote stations across the Territory and has many accolades including a Commissioner’s Commendation.

Sen Sgt Davie has been an advocate for workplace diversity and has mentored junior members of the force.

Annette ‘Floss’ Roberts AM

Nightcliff’s Annette “Floss” Roberts was inducted as a Member of the Order of Australia for her work with the Royal Life Saving Society Australia NT and AUSTSWIM, where she is a life member.

The society’s executive director and public officer since 2006, and winner of its meritorious services award, Roberts said it had been a privilege to improve lives by making people “confident and capable around the water”.

However, despite the award, she said there was much work left to do.

Roberts, AUSTSWIM’s first female board member, said her involvement in a remote swim, survive and strive program in 26 remote communities was “rewarding” but remained an ongoing test of her skills.

“Just travelling there can be a challenge, (they’re) so remote and transport is expensive,” Roberts said.

It can take 10 hours to drive to some locations, including Borroloola, and accommodation is often “challenging”, so she always has a swag at the ready. But the pay-off was worth it: “When you are in a remote community and the children are cheering in races and laughing … it’s just perfect.”

She also said volunteering had allowed her to build friendships.

“I am surrounded by wonderful people who truly care about swimming and water safety and they continue to inspire me every day,” she said.

Wing Commander Lynette Jayne Horne CSM

For her meritorious achievement in support of development and management of the Delamere Air Weapons Range Wing Commander Lynette Jayne Horne is receiving a Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM).

Her conspicuous dedication and continuous professionalism as the Officer-In-Charge of the Delamere Air Weapons Range directly contributed to the return of the range to full operating capability ahead of schedule.

Cmmr Horne said she was going to wear the prestigious honour with pride.

“I am humbled to be receiving a Conspicuous Service Medal for my work at Delamere Air Weapons Range,” she said.

Squadron Leader Kenneth John Edwards CSC

Two Australian Defence Force members are being honoured and recognised for their efforts and contributions in the Territory.

For outstanding achievement in the infrastructure redevelopment of Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal Squadron Leader Kenneth John Edwards is receiving a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC).

Squadron Leader Edwards is an Airfield Engineer of extraordinary skill who applied remarkable drive in delivering a multitude of significant infrastructure outcomes at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal.

Squadron Leader Edwards said it was an immense honour to be recognised through this award.

“It has been great to be part of the many projects that make up the redevelopment of RAAF Tindal and the largest airfield upgrades for the air force since building Scherger in the 90s,” Sq/Leader Edwards said.

Paul Carter OAM

Leanyer’s Paul Carter, a two-time NT Sports Awards Official of the Year winner and former Casuarina Storm Swimming Club president and life member, was “overwhelmed” with his OAM.

Carter was initially a swimmer before his children got involved in the sport and he started time keeping.

He said Mexico City’s World Para Swimming World Championships in 2017 was the most memorable event he had officiated at, after an earthquake damaged the pool.

“It was a big challenge for them,” he said. ‘They had to postpone for a couple of months, it was still damaged when we came back but we got there in the end, it was pretty special.”

Yu Lan (Leila) Chi OAM

Darwin was changed forever for the better when Yu Lan (Leila) Chin first stepped foot on Territory soil in 1953 on a winter’s day.

Full of wisdom and invaluable guidance to offer, Ms Chin is a powerful figure in the Chinese community in Darwin and has been for years since arriving from Hong Kong.

Ms Chin is a Cyclone Tracy survivor, mother, storyteller and a mentor but her most important role she has fulfilled in the community for almost 30 years is cooking.

Every second Friday at the Chinese Temple for the Chung Wah Society Senior Citizens Recreation Group, Ms Yu would cook for more than 60 people with ingredients like shallots and ginger grown and picked from her Parap home’s vegetable garden.

Daughter Melanie Chin said whether it was family or strangers, her mother was the type of person who would never say no to anyone that asked for help.

She has been recognised for her service to the Chinese community of Darwin – if a Chinese family is seeking help Ms Chin is called upon for her guidance to know “what is the right thing to do”.

Darren Hicks OAM

DARWIN’S own Paralympic Games champion Darren Hicks has added medal to his ever-growing trophy cabinet after being awarded a top Australia Day Honour.

Hicks was awarded an OAM for his service to sport after most recently grabbing gold in the Men’s Road Time Trial C2 in Japan last year.

Now living in Adelaide his life changed forever in 2014 when the brakes of his truck failed causing a major crash. The passionate BMX rider had his leg amputated so that he could be pulled from the wreckage but he did not let that stop his pursuit of the sport.

He is now classified as a C2 cyclist and since 2017 has competed in international competitions winning events both on the track and on the road across the world. Alongside his gold medal Hicks also picked up a silver medal in the Tokyo 2020 in the Men’s 3km individual pursuit C2.

Dr Ian Scrimgeour PSM

Chief Government geologist for the past 15 years, Dr Ian Scrimgeour has been with NTPS for 24 years.

“Mineral exploration is worth typically $100m to $200m to the Territory every year and a lot of that work is underpinned by the science that we do in the NT Geological Survey,” he said.

“We’ve seen some very clear and tangible examples of where Government geoscience has led to new investment and of course the multipliers that come from that investment.”

Is the Territory explored out? “We’re absolutely just scratching the surface of the Territory’s potential.”

Kathleen Robinson PSM

Kathleen Robinson has a distinguished career four-decade career with the NTPS and says her medal recognises hidden achievements.

She has spent 25 years in executive level positions , the past nine as chief executive of the Department of Corporate and Digital Development.

“The award means recognition for the many dedicated people that work tirelessly behind the scenes in government to quietly serve the Territory community.· Achievements are not generally obvious, focused on developing and providing foundations that improve government service delivery.

Roger Smith OAM

Roger Smith was a former Department of Primary Industries and Resources chief executive and it is his work salvaging the historic Tiwi forest plantation after the 2009 collapse of Great Southern where his contribution was most recently felt.

Among his biggest achievements was co-ordinating the construction of the giant floating port on the Tiwis which saved the forestry project and paved the way for more than 20 shipments of timber overseas between 2015 and Covid stalling sales.

“The honour is a good recognition of the project and the potential for what it can achieve.”

phillippa.butt@news.com.au