Australia Day honours: Our unsung heroes of law and health order

More than 50 Australians have been recognised on the Covid-19 honour roll for service during the pandemic.

Adelaide-based professor Helen Marshall was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to medicine in the field of vaccinology and public health.

Police officers, paramedics and a vaccinologist are among a group of more than 50 Australians recognised in the Australia Day honours list for their outstanding contribution to the country’s management of the coronavirus pandemic.

With awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia, Meritorious Awards and Military Awards, 58 names will be included on the permanent Covid-19 Honour roll.

NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Holland achieved an Australian Police Medal as the commander of the state’s Police Operations Centre, responsible for all statewide Covid-19 operations. Supt Holland, whose career in the service has spanned 35 years, was recognised for “outstanding leadership” and for gaining community compliance of health orders.

NSW Ambulance governance director Kirsten Linklater won the Ambulance Service Medal for co-ordinating the vaccination program for NSW Ambulance during the pandemic. She is also a qualified paramedic.

Adelaide-based professor Helen Marshall was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to medicine in the field of vaccinology and public health.

Part of the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, Professor Marshall advised the state’s Health Minister, Stephen Wade, and chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier.