St Phillips College head of art Steven Kidd given his Medal of the Order of Australia

A long-serving Red Centre arts teacher has been handed his Australia Day honours – and was thrilled with the man who flew down to give them to him.

Kristina Kidd and Steven Kidd. Steven Kidd was awarded his OAM on June 14 by Hugh Heggie at St Phillips College in Alice Springs.

A Red Centre arts teacher has finally received his Australia Day honours – with a Territory big-wig personally gifting them after flying down from the Top End.

St Phillips College head of arts Steven Kidd was honoured with a Medal Of the Order of Australia on Australia Day, but on Friday, June 14, was personally handed the medal by Northern Territory Administrator the Honorable Hugh Heggie.

“I’m really thrilled that His Honour can come down and do this ceremony, especially here where I work at St Phillips college,” Mr Kidd said.

“It’s quite a thrill because it means that my friends and fellow staff members and students, they can all be a part of the experience, so it’s cool.”

Aside from being the life member of Totem Theatre Group, Mr Kidd has also been at the helm of the arts department in St Phillips since 2000.

The OAM is not Mr Kidd’s first accolade either – he has also been named teacher of the year by the Association of Independent Schools.

Hugh Heggie, Kristina Kidd, Steven Kidd and Ruth Jones. Steven Kidd was awarded his OAM on June 14 by Hugh Heggie at St Phillips College in Alice Springs on June 14, 2024.

And in 2020, he also received the Northern Territory Performing Arts Inspiring the Next Generation Award.

“It’s not something you expect just for doing what you love and trying to encourage others to pursue their creative pursuits,” Mr Kidd said.

“I wasn’t expecting it (the OAM) and I’m very honoured to receive it.”

Mr Kidd said he had always been involved in theatre in way or another since graduating from Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 1988.

“I’ve always loved performing, I’ve always loved creating my own work, I love plays,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to work with a lot of young people and then once they left school, I continue to work with them in community theatre products and other things that have been going on.”

Dr Heggie said the OAM was a well-deserved acknowledgment of Mr Kidd’s achievements and generosity.

“We applaud his tireless contribution to the arts and education within the Territory over many years,” he said.

“I hope to see more Territorians on the Honours List, and I encourage everyone to consider taking the time to nominate an outstanding Territorian for recognition through the Order of Australia.”