Meet this year’s Queen’s Birthday honourees

Check out five of the region’s Queen’s Birthday honours list recipients and click through to read about their personal stories.

Beverley Horwood OAM

Nominated for For service to the community of Ballarat, and to swimming.

Ballarat Lyric Theatre
• Secretary, 1993-2019.
• Former Assistant Secretary.
• Volunteer Usher.
• Life Member, 1993
• Member, since 1980.
Ballarat Garden City (GCO) Swimming Club
• Former Minutes Secretary.
• Former Committee Member.
• Life Member, 1995.
• Publicity Officer.
• Member, since 1983.
Midlands District Amateur Swimming Association
• Chief Timekeeper, current.
• District Secretary, 2010-2014, 2004-2008.
• Former Publicity Officer.
• Life Member, 1996.
• Member, since 1983.
Other
• Volunteer, Ballarat Citizens Advice Bureau, 1983-1994.
• Charity Christmas Card Shop Volunteer for 30 years.

Read more about Beverley Horwood here.

Dr Brian Hassett

For service to medicine, and to the community of Ballarat.

Medicine
• General Practitioner/Partner, Sturt West General Practice, Ballarat, 1971-2017.
• Doctor, Ballarat North Football Club, for 20 years.
• Past General Practitioner, Ballarat Clarendon College.
• Past Board Member, Victorian Academy of General Practice.
• Past Member, Medical Staff Group, St John of God Hospital, Ballarat.
• Past Member, Victorian Government Regional Development Committee.
Ballarat Health Service
• Life Governor, since 2008.
• President, 1997-1998 and 1994-1995.
• Board Member, for over 20 years.
Ballarat Children’s Home
• President, 1980-1982.
• Board Member, many years
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
• Treasurer, Victoria Faculty, 1995-1997.
• Fellow, since 1975.
Community
• Committee Member, Melbourne Cricket Club Bridge Club, since 2012.
• Member, Ballarat Beagles walking group, current.
• Member, Ballarat Gentlemen’s Cricket Club, current.

Read more about Dr Brian Hassett here.

Sandy Anderson

For service to cancer prevention, and to Aboriginal women’s health.

Community Health
• Women’s Health Nurse/ Primary Health Care Nurse, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, since 2011.
• Health Promotion Coordinator/Women’s Health Nurse, Women’s Health Grampians, 2001-2010.
• Chair, Breast Screen Victoria, 2007-2008.
Victorian Cytology Service
• Chairman, 2013-2017.
• President, 2004-2007.
• Board Member, since 2000.
Cancer Council Victoria
• Nurse Consultant, Prevention Division, 19 years.
• Coordinator,Victorian Nurse Certification Program, current.

Read more about Sandy Anderson here.

Desmond Watts

For service to the tourism accommodation sector.

BIG4 Holiday Parks
• Co-Founder, 1979.
• Honorary Chairman, 1979-1984.
• Board Member, 1998-1999.
• Life Member, 1997.
• Owner, three BIG4 Holiday Parks, current.
• Shareholder, Advisor and Mentor, since 1979.
Caravan Industry
• Member and Contributor, Caravan Industry Association of Australia, 20 years.
• Member and Contributor, SA Parks, since 2007.
Caravan and Camping NSW
• Member and Contributor, since 2007.
• Member, Gumnut Eco Program, current.
VicParks
• Member and Contributor, since 1979.
• Board Member, 1977-1984.
Other service includes
• Member and Contributor, Ballarat Tourism, 20 years.
• Councillor, Ballarat City Council, 1982-1983.

Read more about Desmond Watts here.

Bill McArthur

For service to local government, and to the community of the Golden Plains Shire.

Australian Local Government Association
• Vice-President, 2014-2016.
• Director, 2009-2016.
Municipal Association of Victoria
• President, 2009-2016.
• Past Chair, Professional Development Committee.
• Founding Member, Local Government Digital Transformation Taskforce, 2016.
Golden Plains Shire council
• Mayor, 2004-2005.
• Councillor, 1993-2016.
• Chair, Land Use Planning Advisory Committee, 1996-2016.
VicRoads
• Chair, MAV VicRoads Liaison Committee, 2006-2012.
• Member, Statewide Blackspot Funding Advisory Committee, 2000-2016.
Community
• Volunteer Firefighter, Haddon Brigade, Country Fire Authority, 1988-2006.
• President Committee of Management Haddon Recreation Centre, 1990-2002.
• President, Haddon Primary School Council, 1990-1992, and Member, 1986-2000.

Read more about Bill McArthur here. 

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at gg.gov.au.