Queen’s Birthday Honours List revealed

COMMUNITY service, sporting triumph and research excellence across the Geelong region have all been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Governor-General David Hurley today (Monday, June 13) announced honours to 992 Australians, including 669 in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

The highest honour in the Geelong region this year went to Anglesea’s Peter Matthews, who was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to cave and karst surveying, documentation and publication, and to speleological organisations.

Newtown’s Professor Timothy Reeves was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to sustainable agriculture research and production, while Richard Underwood from Mannerim was appointed to the same honour for significant service to the community of Geelong.

People residing in the Geelong region who were also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2022 are:

• Geoffrey Boehm, of Wandana Heights, for service to the community through a range of roles
• Alan Crosbie, of Belmont, for service to the community of Geelong
• Rosemary Nugent, of Geelong West, for service to the communities of Geelong and Timor Leste
• Gael Perry, of Geelong, for service to multicultural aged care, and to the community
• John Marriott, of Point Lonsdale, for service to the sheep breeding industry
• Howard Spry, of Queensclff, for service to the community of Queenscliffe
• Jon Mamonski, of Ocean Grove, for service to the community of Geelong
• Jakara Anthony, of Barwon Heads, for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games
• Coodabeen Champions founding member Ian Cover, of Barwon Heads, for service to the community through a range of roles
• Laurence Ryan, of Barwon Heads, for service to the community of Barwon Heads
• Janice Watt, of Bambra, for service to women, and to public administration.

“On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate the Australians recognised in today’s Honours List,” the Governor-General said.

“Recipients share some common traits – including selflessness, excellence and a commitment to service. They’re from different backgrounds, their stories are each unique, and each has served in different ways. This diversity is a strength and each has impacted their community and made it better.

“For that, we thank them and, today, we celebrate them.

“Collectively the recipients, whose achievements span community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, represent the very best of Australia.”

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.