Meet the Northern Rivers locals named in the 2026 Australia Day Honours

SEVERAL Northern Rivers residents have been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours list, acknowledging decades of service to surf lifesaving, emergency services, policing, veterans and community organisations across the region.

Raymond Fien, from Tweed Heads, received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) posthumously for his service to surf lifesaving.

Fien, who died of a heart attack in 2023 aged 62, was a life member of Rainbow Bay Surf Club and a member of Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club.

He held a range of volunteer roles over the years including trainer, assessor and team manager. His four daughters all gained their Bronze medallion under his guidance.

“I was really proud, it was a bit of an emotional day,” his wife Madonna said.

“He was very passionate, and when he was passionate about something he gave it 110 per cent.”

 

Ballina RSL Sub-Branch vice-president Dick Wills also received an OAM for his service to veterans, adding to the British Empire Medal he received in 1979.

The 81-year-old served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 20 years, beginning his career as an electrical fitter before remustering as a flight engineer.

“I loved that job and flying the Orion aeroplane,” he said.

Wills has served in every role possible on the Ballina RSL committee over the years including president, secretary and treasurer.

“Wherever I was required I was happy to fill the role,” he said.

He is also president of the North Coast branch of the Royal Australian Air Force Association and vice-president of the NSW division.

He said the recognition came with a deep sense of humility.

 

“I find volunteering very rewarding, particularly in the veteran community because there’s always veterans who need help with their wellbeing and finding their way through the bureaucracy to be connected to resources,” he said.

Mike Berry also received an OAM for services to the community of Dunoon. The 73-year-old is a Rural Fire Service volunteer and has been involved in fighting the 2003 Canberra bushfires and the 2009 Black Friday fires in Victoria.

He also played a key role in fundraising for the Dunoon Sports Club, which opened in 1993, and in fundraising to build the Dunoon Football Club (now known as Dunoon United Football Club) along with later upgrades including ground improvements, lighting and an amenities block.

He said it was an honour to receive the recognition, but it also came with a degree of embarrassment.

“With all of the things I was involved with there were many, many other volunteers involved in those projects,” he said.

 

Detective Chief Inspector James Kehoe, who joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and is currently the officer in charge of Byron Bay Police Station, received an Australian Police Medal.

He provided instrumental support to the family of missing Belgian backpacker Théo Hayez and has planned, commanded and led policing operations at Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival in the Byron Shire. He also responded to community needs during the 2019 bushfires and 2022 floods, and led public order management at the NSW-Queensland border, Byron Bay and Mullumbimby during Covid-19 restrictions.

Leslie Kafoa, from Casuarina, received a Public Service Medal for outstanding service in civil, road and structural maintenance, while Terence Savage, of Bogangar, received an Ambulance Service Medal.

Jamie Stoddart, from Tweed Heads, also received an Emergency Service Medal for his work with the Volunteer Rescue Association of NSW.