Upstanding members of the community recognised for their achievements this Australia Day
A couple who suffered loss through fire devastation, an advocate supporting disadvantaged community members and a cooking trailblazer who lent her skills to underprivileged groups are among the Tasmanians on the 2021 Australia Day honours list. SEE THE FULL LIST + THEIR STORIES >>
Tasmania
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A COUPLE who suffered loss through fire devastation, an advocate supporting disadvantaged community members and a cooking trailblazer who lent her skills to underprivileged groups are among the Tasmanians on the 2021 Australia Day honours list.
SEE THE FULL LIST OF AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS RECIPIENTS BELOW >>
There were 27 Tasmanian residents recognised with Australia Day awards among the 845 people honoured nationally.
Two hundred and forty nine of the medal recipients went to Australians who were said to have shown outstanding service or achievement in the community.
In recognising that more needs to be done to see a greater number of women honoured with a medal [36.8 per cent of 2021 recipients], Governor-General His Excellency David Hurley has reached out to Australian organisations to increase the number of female nominations.
The Tasmanian Australia Day honours list features a list of residents who have exhibited tireless community spirit across a range of fields including volunteer roles, youth work, the hospitality sector and government industries.
They include teenage parent support advocate Bernadette Black AM, Sarah Parry AM – captain of 1965 vessel Windward Bound, which promotes self-confidence and life skills for youth and Sally Wise OAM for service to the hospitality and culinary sectors and to the community.
General Hurley said the individuals we celebrate have served the community “in almost every way conceivable”.
“They’re diverse and unique but there are some common characteristics, including selflessness, commitment and dedication.
“Recipients have not put their hand up to be recognised. Most would consider the achievements that they are being recognised for to be ‘ordinary’ or just what they do.
“Therein is the great strength of our system – recipients in the Order of Australia have been nominated by their peers, considered by an independent process and, today, recognised by the nation.”
Ms Wise, whose achievements were borne out of a “hobby” and love for cooking, said it was with “no false modesty that the award is a huge surprise”.
“Cooking has meant a great deal to me and I’ve been so privileged to have a hobby develop into what’s been a career,” the Derwent Valley Cooking School founder said.
“Over the years I’ve had fabulous experiences teaching in neighbourhood centres with cook books and educating soon-to-be-released prisoners about cooking methods.”
Also honoured today were Huon Valley couple and founders of Home Hill Winery Terry and Rosemary Bennett OAM.
The couple said they thought it was a hoax when they were first contacted about the award.
“But then a week later we were contacted again and assured it was in fact true which is such a privilege,” said the couple who had frost wipe out their entire crops in 2007, before Huon Valley bushfires wreaked havoc on their property in 2019.
“We feel so lucky to live in this country and community which is full of love. Australia Day means a lot to us, but to receive this award is something we never even thought about.”
The pair said they would celebrate on Tuesday by cracking open a beloved bottle of 2014 pinot with family and friends.
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS RECIPIENTS
AM
Peter Cosier– For significant service to land conservation, and to natural resource management.
Sarah Parry – For significant service to youth through ship restoration and sailing programs.
Christopher Webster– For significant service to the law, to the legal profession, and to the community.
Ross Burridge – For significant service to little athletics, and to the horse racing industry.
Gerald Loughran– For significant service to the community of Tasmania through business, education and arts organisations.
Bernadette Black– For significant service to youth, to local government, and to the community.
Gregory Hall– For significant service to the people and Parliament of Tasmania, and to agriculture and horticulture.
OAM
Katherine MacArthur– For service to community health, and to nursing.
Bruce Englefield– For service to the protection of Tasmanian Devils and Australian fauna, and to the community.
John McDonald – For service to the sustainable timber sector, and to the community.
Rosemary Bennett– For service to the wine industry, and to the community.
Terence Bennett – For service to the wine industry, and to the community.
Sally-Anne Wise– For service to the hospitality and culinary sectors, and to the community.
Margaret Bartkevicius-James– For service to dance, and to the community of Tasmania.
Maxwell Burr – For service to the Parliament of Australia, and to the community of Tasmania.
John Burton– For service to the community of Wilmot.
MERITORIOUS
Shane Batt – TFS – AFSM
Robert Dawes TFS – AFSM
David Oakley– TFS – AFSM
Matthew Eastham – AT – ASM
Pamela Heiermann – AT – ASM
Cheryl Ames– SES – ESM
Jason Lawrence– SES – ESM
Jason Robins – SES – ESM
John Pickering– Tasmanian Corrective Service – ACM
Sally Cottrell – TasPol – APM
J oanne Stolp– TasPol – APM
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