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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT2016 was a very successful year for the Branch with all events well-attended and an overall increase in membership. The year concluded with a well-attended Annual General Meeting and black tie dinner. Copies of my annual report have been distrib-uted to all Regional Group Coordinators and it is also available on the OAA web site.

My thanks go to the 2016 Committee members for their involve-ment and support and on their election for 2017. A particular welcome to Darryl Seccombe OAM who was also elected to the Branch Committee for 2017.

I am pleased to report that two of our Queensland Committee members have been further recognised for their outstanding contributions to our society, Emeritus Professor Dr Mary Mahoney AO and Dr Michael (Mick) Davis AM ASM. We sincerely congratulate them both on their achievements and on receiving their awards. Details of their awards are listed in a sepa-rate article within the Queensland Branch pages of this edition.

The Queensland Conference Committee’s planning for the 31st National Conference to be held from 20 to 23 April 2017 is progressing very well under the chairmanship of Dr Mick Davis AM ASM. I am pleased to be able to welcome Simon Newcomb OAM, a past member of the Branch Committee, to the Conference Committee.

The theme of the Conference “Innovating for Society” will be addressed by a panel of internationally recog-nised specialists and the Oration, which will be held in the historic Albert Street Uniting Church just across from the Conference Centre at the Pullman Hotel, will be presented by the Honourable Dr Penelope Wensley AC FAIIA, the former Governor of Queensland.

Do not miss this opportunity to participate in what promises to be a wonderful Conference. The organising Committee has recently agreed to extend the date for early bird registration until 10 March 2017. Can I remind Queensland members that this is a once in seven year opportunity to attend the Confer-ence in your home State.

For Queensland members the next event planned by the Branch Committee is a morning tea and guided tour of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha to be held on 21 February commencing at 10am. This event will incorporate a short adjourned part 2 of the Annual General Meeting to pass the annual financial report. I encourage you to register for this event and look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes to all for 2017 and I look forward to meeting you at the Conference in April.

John Harden AM FAIAST

QUEENSLAND

A MEMORABLE ANNUAL DINNER IN THE VICTORIA PARK BALLROOM

This year’s Annual Dinner on Monday 21 November 2016 was held in a new venue – The Ballroom at Victoria Park, Victoria Park Golfing Complex at Herston in Brisbane. One hundred and five guests including fifty members attended and the event proved a resounding success.

We were so pleased that Dr Paul Luckin AM CStJ, a highly respected anaesthetist specializing in emergency rescue, accepted our invitation to be this year’s guest speaker at the Dinner and his talk was most interesting and thought provoking. Paul trained as a

paramedic in Tasmania, before studying medicine and anaesthesia in South Africa, where he spent 8 years in a mountain rescue team. He teaches Police Search and Rescue (SAR) at State and National levels, and received the National SAR award in 2005. He was President, Royal Lifesaving Society (Tasmania), chaired the State Task-force for Prevention of Drowning in the Under-5s, and ran Advanced Airway Management Training for Ambulance Service Tasmania. Paul advises the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and police around the nation on survivability during SAR operations, and is Medical Director, Medical Services St John Ambulance Queensland. As a Captain in the Royal Austra-lian Navy Reserve, Paul has served in Bougainville, East Timor, Solomon Islands, the Bali bombings, Afghanistan, and in the first team into Banda Aceh after the 2004 tsunami.

The Annual Dinner was also the occasion when we announced the three winners of this year’s Queensland Branch Senior Volunteer Awards. For profiles on all three winners please refer to the separate article “Three outstanding Queensland Seniors who volunteer with a giving, servant heart”

Enjoying the grand occasion of the Annual Dinner - around the table starting far left – Max Lockwood AM; Di Harden; Associate Professor John Harden AM; Dr Paul Luckin AM CStJ; Dr Vlas Efstathis AM RFD; Olga Efstathis; Peter McMurtrie AO KStJ; Professor Colin Mackerras AO; Dr Glenda Powell AM and Janice Lockwood.

Dr Paul Luckin AM CStJ, our guest speaker, addresses the gathering at our Annual Dinner.

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31ST NATIONAL CONFERENCE - BRISBANE 20–23 APRIL 2017Have you sent in your registration for the forthcoming National Conference in Bris-bane, Queensland’s beautiful capital? The registration form is included in this issue of The Order. Please complete it and return it as soon as possible.

Please note that the early bird concession for 2017 conference registrations has been extended to 10 March 2017.The Conference Committee has announced the five distinguished Australians who will comprise the panel for the Conference Forum on Friday morning, 21 April -

• Dr Catherin Bull AM, an eminent archi-tect, is Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Melbourne and Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

• Li Cunxin, an internationally acclaimed dancer and former senior manager in the finance industry, is currently Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet.

• Distinguished Professor James Dale AO is foundation Director of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities at the QUT.

• Professor Ian Frazer AC, co-inventor of the vaccine used worldwide to help prevent cervical cancer, is interna-tionally respected as a most eminent immunologist.

• Professor Suzanne Miller, CEO and Director of the Queensland Museum Network, is Queensland Chief Scientist.

Do not miss this opportunity to hear these five distinguished people discuss issues relating to the Conference theme – Inno-vating for Society.

On Friday afternoon The Honourable Dr Penelope Wensley AC, Governor of Queensland from 2008 to 2014, will present the Conference Oration.

There will be many opportunities to meet other Conference members and make new friends. The Conference social event highlights include the Premier’s Reception at Parliament House and the Governor’s Reception at Government House.

Queensland’s Parliament House is a magnificent colonial building, construction of which began in 1864 only five years after Queensland was established as a separate colony. The building was completed in 1889.

Government House, “Fernberg”, is a beautiful building surrounded by some ten hectares of remnant bushland and formal gardens and grounds. It was acquired as the Queensland Governor’s residence in 1910 following the Government’s decision to use the then Government House, now Old Government House, to accommodate the newly established University of Queensland. A tour of Old Government House is also included as part of the Conference program.

The 31st National Conference will be a fine occasion to meet other members of The Order of Australia Association, enjoy stimu-lating contributions by eminent Australians and bask in Queensland’s mild autumn sunshine and renowned hospitality.

The Conference Committee invites you to become a conference delegate. Be informed and excited about the innova-tions our Forum panelists are leading; hear what other awardees think; attend the members’ forum. The Association needs your ideas and input.

These are some of the special opportuni-ties available only to conference delegates; so register today and take advantage of the early bird registration discount.

The Conference Committee looks forward to welcoming you to Brisbane.

Mick Davis AM ASM, Conference Committee Chairman

CONGRATULATIONSTwo long-serving members of the Queensland Branch Committee have been honoured by their universities.

Emeritus Professor Dr Mary Mahoney AO has been named the University of Queensland Alumnus of the Year. Dr Mahoney has had a distinguished career in medicine. For many years she was a member of the University Senate and served two terms as Deputy Chan-cellor, the first woman to hold this distinguished office.

Dr Michael (Mick) Davis AM ASM has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University by Central Queensland University. Dr Davis, an alumnus of the University, has had a distinguished career contributing to the development, innovation and strengthening of paramedic services in Australia. His citation noted, “As a leader in the Australian ambulance community and community health, a dedicated long-serving member of the ambulance profession, and as a role model for generations of para-medics, Mick is a person CQ University is proud to acknowledge … (and) confers on (him) the honorary degree of Doctor of the University.”

Congratulations Mary and Mick.

Government House and Gardens where the Governor’s Reception will take place.

Parliament House and Annexe - venue proposed for the Premier’s Reception.

MACKAY-WHITSUNDAY REGIONAL GROUPMembers of the Mackay-Whitsunday Regional Group held an enjoyable “Meet and Greet” evening event at the home of the Group’s Convener, Carmel Daveson AM, on 11 November. Members were very happy to welcome new awardee Mrs Patricia Burns OAM of Proserpine.

Carmel Daveson AM

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ANNA MEARES OAM, AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION CYCLIST, RECEIVES THE KEY TO THE CITY OF ROCKHAMPTON Rockhampton cyclist Anna Meares OAM, the holder of six Olympic medals, 27 World Championship medals, eight Commonwealth medals, 35 national titles and a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), received a further accolade on Friday 9 December 2016 when Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow presented her with the Key to the City of Rockhampton.

Mayor Strelow presented the Key to the City to Anna at a community event attended by many locals including our “man on the spot”, Raymond Young OAM, the Convener of the Central Queensland Regional Group of the Association. The award was presented in recognition of Anna’s achievements and her position as one of the true greats of Australian sport.

Born in the mining town of Blackwater in 1983, and growing up in the small central Queensland town of Middlemount, Anna Meares’ love of track cycling grew from the age of 11.

In 1996 the Meares family relocated to Rockhampton in order for Anna and her sister, Kerrie, to pursue their interest on the track. It was at Rockhampton that Anna was introduced to her first coach and mentor Ken ‘Reggie’ Tucker who at an early stage identified Anna as possessing the necessary traits for greatness and an over-powering desire to achieve success.

As flag-bearer for the Australian team at the Glasgow 2014 Common-wealth Games and as flag bearer and captain for the Australia team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Anna is respected by her fellow athletes and recognised for her leadership qualities.

On 16 October 2016 Anna announced her official retirement from her competitive cycling career and now resides in Adelaide.

Her success on the track is not the only thing that drives Anna. She has chosen to be a strong contributor to her community serving as an ambassador for the Little Heroes Foundation for kids with serious illness, helping to raise funds for a worthy cause and put a smile on the faces of the children fighting seemingly unde-featable disease and providing inspiration to their families. She is also an ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and participates in the Port Adelaide Community Youth Program.

Anna Meares OAM is indeed a worthy recipient of this latest honour.

Anna Meares OAM with the Key to the City of Rockhampton, flanked by two of her admirers – Raymond Young OAM, Convener of the Association’s Central Queensland Regional Group (left) and Ken Tucker, Anna’s coach 1999 – 2002 (right) – photo courtesy Rockhampton Morning Bulletin.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS FOR 2017Tuesday 21 February Morning Tea incorporating short adjourned AGM meeting Brisbane Botanic Gardens-

Mt Coot-tha – The Auditorium

Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 April

31st National Conference – Brisbane – Pre Conference overnight tour

Overnight tour to Toowoomba and Darling Downs

Wednesday 19 April 31st National Conference – Brisbane – Pre Conference day tour

Gold Coast and Tamborine Mountains

Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 April

31st National Conference – Brisbane Conference Venue – Pullman Brisbane, King George Square, Brisbane

Monday 24 April 31st National Conference – Brisbane – Post Conference day tour

Sunshine Coast and Hinterland

May (date to be advised) Celebratory Lunch for 2017 Australia Day Award recipients

August (date to be advised) 2nd Queensland Branch morning tea

September (date to be advised) Celebratory Lunch for 2017 Queens Birthday Award recipients

Friday 15 September Presentation of 2017 Secondary Schools Citizenship Awards Parliament House, Brisbane

November (date to be advised) Annual Dinner

Dates and venues for these events will be posted on the Association’s website as they become available. Get into the habit of visiting the website more regularly. http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/branches/qld/QldUpcomingEvents.php

Queensland Branch events are open to any member in Australia to attend, whether they are interstate or Queensland Regional Group members. If you are visiting Brisbane and one of our events coincides with your visit and you would like to attend, please contact our Secretary, Geoff Cowles OAM, who can provide you with further details.

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QUEENSLAND BRANCHOFFICE-HOLDERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSPatron

His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland

Chairman

Associate Professor John Harden AM, Tel: 07 3408 2005 (H); 0418 988 659 (M)

Vice Chairman Mr Peter McMurtrie AO KStJ, 0408 887 923 (M)

Secretary

Mr Geoff Cowles OAM, Tel: 07 3351 4991 (H); 0413 833 720 (M)

Treasurer

Mr Royce Voss OAM, Tel: 07 3410 0348 (H); 0419 729 953 (M)

Membership Officer Mr Patrick Galligan OAM, Tel: 3288 2276 (H); 0408 703 276 (M)

Newsletter Editor Mr Paul McNally OAM, Tel: 4632 2286 (H); 0407 584 886 (M)

Conference 2017 Convener Mr Mick Davis AM ASM, Tel: 3355 7872 (H); 0411 554 955

Mr Winston Fraser OAM, Member Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO, Member Mr Darryl Seccombe OAM, Member Mrs Marjorie Voss OAM, Member Emeritus Professor Tony Webber AM, Member Mr Raymond Young OAM, Member

All correspondence to Geoff Cowles OAM, Hon. Secretary, 16 Kanturk Street, Ferny Grove, Qld 4055 or email secqld@theorderofaustralia.asn.au

How to become a Member of our Association check our website www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au

BUNDABERG REGIONAL GROUPThere will be gathering of members of the group and their guests at the CWA rooms near the RSL at Pialba (Hervey Bay) on 25 February 2017. For more information please contact the Regional Group Convener, Donna Duncan email address donna_dd@bigpond.net.au

Donna Duncan OAM, Convener

GOLD COAST FUNCTIONThe Gold Coast Regional Group held a successful afternoon tea on Saturday 12 November 2016 at the Lakeview Restaurant on the Palm Meadows Golf Course in Carrara. Plans to hold the gathering outdoors among the tame river dragons were foiled by a typical Gold Coast thunderstorm which caused the restaurant staff to move the gath-ering indoors to air-conditioned comfort.

We were very pleased to welcome three new Association members to the gathering - Donald Waters OAM, Howard Maher OAM (from south of the border) and Dr Peter Heiner AM.

The next Gold Coast Region function is planned for the Southport Golf Club on a date yet to be selected in May 2017. Members will be notified in due course.

Bill Collins AO, ConvenerDonald Waters OAM, Howard Maher OAM and Dr Peter Heiner AM at the Gold Coast function.

IN MEMORIAMKenneth John Back AOKevin Thomas Casey AMFujiko Ruth Chamberlain AMStephen Comino OAMVera Lilian Crook OAMCharles Doyle OAMJames William Dryden OAMDavid Andrew Gibson OAMPhilip Gilbert OAMMervyn Patrick Hegarty AMRobert Gurney Henzel AM

Lancelot Thomas Hood OAMFrederick Harold Hyde AMAilsa Esme Kelly OAMDonald William Kinsey AMFay Catherine Owens OAMMeryl Ellen Papas OAMAudrey Gertrude Peacock OAMLeo Peter Ryan OAMAlan Frederick Sherlock OBE OAMDora May Smith OAMGeoffrey James Swan OAMGeorge Robert Townsend OAMLeslie Winkle OAM

QUEENSLAND REGIONAL GROUP CONVENERSBundaberg: Donna Duncan OAM – donna_dd@bigpond.net.au

Central Queensland: Raymond Young OAM – raymond@cyberoz.com.au

Darling Downs: Paul McNally OAM – pmcnally1@bigpond.com

Far North Queensland: Carole Miller OAM – carole.miller@bigpond.com

Gold Coast: Bill Collins AO – wmandrjc@qld.chariot.net.au

Mackay-Whitsunday: Carmel Daveson AM – carmel@ehw.net.au

Sunshine Coast: Contact the Branch Secretary - secqld@theorderofaustralia.asn.au

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THREE OUTSTANDING QUEENSLAND SENIORS WHO VOLUNTEER WITH A GIVING, SERVANT HEART The winners of the 4th annual Queensland Branch Senior Volunteer Awards were announced at the Annual Dinner in the Victoria Park Ballroom on Monday 21 November 2016.

The 2016 winners of the awards as selected by the judging panel appointed by the Queensland Branch committee were –

• Tony Fox from Wynnum West, an outer Brisbane suburb to the east of the CBD;

• Deirdre Hargreaves from Ormiston, a suburb in Redland City south of Bris-bane; and

• Judy Muir from Fitzgibbon, a northern suburb of Brisbane.

These outstanding senior volunteers received their awards from Associate Professor John Harden AM, Queensland Branch Chairman, at the Annual Dinner.

The following are their citations.

Tony Fox is an outstanding citizen who has been involved in voluntary community service in both Australia and overseas.

Tony has been a very active member of Rotary since joining the Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly in 1977. He has been a member and chairman of many Rotary committees including the National Science Summer School, Group Study Exchange and Rotary Foundation Committees.

At his own expense he has travelled to several Asian and Pacific countries to work on Rotary International humanitarian projects. To support these projects, Tony has initiated and worked on fund-raising for some 20 years providing thousands of dollars every year to ensure the projects’ success.

Tony is undoubtedly worthy to receive a Senior Volunteer Award for 2016.

Deirdre Hargreaves is a worthy recipient of a 2016 Senior Volunteer Award.

Deirdre, who lives at Ormiston, has made an outstanding contribution to three areas in particular.

Since 1999 through her active member-ship of the Black Swamp Bushcare Group, Deirdre has coordinated many environ-

mental initiatives in collaboration with the Redland City Council.

As President since 1992 of the Friends of Historic St Andrew’s Anglican Parish, Deirdre has led that group in ensuring the preservation and maintenance of one of Queensland’s oldest wooden churches.

For more than thirty years Deirdre has been a devoted contributor to Meals-on Wheels helping to ensure the needs of the elderly, the lonely and those with disabilities are met.

In Deirdre’s nomination the nominator commented, “Deirdre is an outstanding citizen…selfless, charitable and with a deep commitment to a wide variety of voluntary activities. The Redland commu-nity has gained enormously from her leadership and involvement.”

Deirdre is very worthy of this award.

is an especially effective, dedicated volunteer.

Judy Muir

Since joining BeUplifted in 2010, Judy has worked tirelessly to ensure the organisa-tion can fulfil its goals of supporting both practically and financially breast cancer sufferers, women particularly, as well as their families.

Judy’s considerable administration and leadership roles as a Management

Board member and as the organisation’s Secretary have contributed significantly to BeUplifted’s success in attracting spon-sorships, gifts and donors essential for funding BeUplifted’s good works.

As well as her voluntary contributions to BeUplifted, Judy has been editor of the Holy Spirit Nursing Home’s newsletter for some ten years and also editor of the newsletter for her local church, St Flan-nan’s, Zillmere in Brisbane.

Judy Muir is indeed a worthy recipient of a 2016 Senior Volunteer Award.

Three more humble people you could not meet. They were thrilled to receive their awards at the Annual Dinner.

The winners this year received their award not only for outstanding commu-nity volunteer service but also continuing volunteer service. They epitomize the value of volunteering as a practical means of offering help, support and encourage-ment to noble causes that benefit their communities. All three awardees go about their work with a giving, serving heart.

The Association acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of Cox Rayners, Architects, in Brisbane, who kindly provided the sponsorship for the award program in 2016.

Geoff Cowles OAM

Our three Senior Volunteer Awardees for 2016 – from L to R - Judy Muir, Deirdre Hargreaves and Tony Fox at the Awards Presentation at the Annual Dinner.