Sunshine Coast residents who “contribute every day in every way imaginable” have been acknowledged with Australia Day awards.
Noosa Heads’ Scott Williams was among more than a dozen people in the region to be recognised for conspicuous service.
He received a coveted Officer of the Order for distinguished service to business and tertiary education, and through philanthropic contributions.
Passionate about higher education, Mr Williams is the founder of the Williams Education Trust and Scott Wiliams Foundation, which were established to help students thrive.
He was the deputy chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast from 2017 to 2021 and is a supporter of UniSC, Central Queensland University, University of Southern Queensland, University of New England and The Smith Family.
Mr Williams was the foundation chair and director of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation and has made an impact with businesses including Backstop Business Services, Business Mentors Noosa, Inhabit Apartments and Noosa Today.
He was recognised as the Queensland Higher Education Philanthropist of the Year by the Queensland Community Foundation in 2019 and was welcomed as an Honorary Senior Fellow at UniSC in 2022. Mr Williams received a Member of the Order of Australia Award in 2012.
Meanwhile, a host of Sunshine Coast residents received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award or Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Maleny’s Theresa Craig received an AM for significant service to politics and the agriculture industry.
She has been the treasurer of the Nationals since 2021 and was director of the Page Research Centre, which seeks to deliver positive outcomes for the rural sector.
Dr Kirstin Ferguson received an AM for significant service to business and gender equality.
She was a non-executive director with several business, cultural and sports groups and championed the potential of women with a book and social media campaign.
She was also the acting chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The late Stephen Gregg, of Sunshine Beach, was recognised with an AM for significant service to the Queensland tourism industry in leadership roles.
He was the chairman of Tourism and Events Queensland and was involved with several other tourism bodies.
Professor Emeritus Debra Henly, of Doonan, received an AM for significant service to education administration and science.
She is a Professor Emeritus at Griffith University and made an impact in science and health departments at various universities. She was also a member of economic, science and health groups.
Noosaville’s Wendy Cutting received an OAM for service to the tourism and hospitality industry.
She has been a volunteer co-ordinator and volunteer with Tourism Noosa for about 15 years.
Sarah Gray, of Peregian Springs, received an OAM for service to community health.
She is the CEO of ausEE, a support group for Australians living with an eosinophilic disease, and is a member of digestive health research groups.
Ian Hall, of Woodford, received an OAM for service to veterans and their families.
He has played major roles with RSL Queensland, Sunshine Coast and Regional District RSL, the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs and the Australian Army and Queensland Police Service.
Buderim’s Thomas Holden received an OAM for service to the community of the Sunshine Coast
He has been involved with Legacy Sunshine Coast since 2019 and is a volunteer teacher, parishioner, reader and choir member. He was a member of the Royal Australian Navy.
Woombye’s Christopher Johnson received an OAM for service to community health.
He has held several roles with the Australian Men’s Health Forum and Men’s Wellbeing Inc.
Sippy Downs’ Brian Kelly received an OAM for service to the community of Tocumwal.
Mr Kelly was highly active in the Riverina town, holding roles with the football club, race club, chamber of commerce, Catholic Parish, rotary club and St Vincent de Paul.
Maureen Lyon, of Buderim, received an OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mrs Lyon has been involved with several groups, including Lions Clubs International, the Girl Guides Association of Canada and the Save the Children Fund of Canada.
She also supported projects for women and children at the United Nations Women’s Guild in Austria.
Buderim’s Brian McBride received an OAM for service to the community of Buderim.
He has been the president of the Buderim Lions Club since 2012 and was the founder of the Buderim Lions Mentoring Program and a co-ordinator for fundraising dinners.
Karen Neuendorf, of Buderim, received an OAM for service to business and community.
She was a member of the Sunshine Coast Business Council and the president the of the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network. Mrs Neuendorf was also a founding member of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce and was the vice-chair of the foundation board at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Mudjimba’s Guy Tanner received an OAM for service to surf lifesaving.
Mr Tanner was the president of the Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club and is the current club captain and patrol captain. He was the Surf Life Saving Queensland state assessor of the year in 2016. He received the Jack Dearlove MBE Medal for Lifesaving Excellence, Outstanding Rescue, in 2021.
Maleny’s Florence Woods received an OAM for service to the community of Maleny.
Mrs Woods was a volunteer with the Maleny Show Society for 29 years. She has also been involved with the Maleny Uniting Church, Senior Citizen Club, Busy Needles Group and Maleny Historical Society, among others.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson congratulated the recipients and said their awards reflected outstanding service.
“Each of these Australia Day Award recipients has gone above and beyond in their respective professions and pursuits to make a positive impact on our community and our nation,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The wide array of fields in which this year’s Sunshine Coast award recipients have been recognised also highlights the diversity of excellence that exists within our region.”
If you know a local award recipient who was not on this list, please let us know at news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Inspiring recipients
Honours and awards were bestowed to 1047 Australians.
Australian writer and film director Taryn Brumfitt was named Australian of the Year for her work on body positivity, which stemmed from her 2016 film Embrace.
Ms Brumfitt is determined to help others love the skin they’re in, convinced that people weren’t born hating their own bodies.
“This is something the world has taught us. Body shaming is a universal problem and we have been bullied and shamed into thinking our bodies are the problem,” she said on Wednesday night.
“It is not our life’s purpose to be at war with our body.”
Her work has since been seen in almost 200 countries and watched by millions of people on Netflix.
She has released a companion documentary, Embrace Kids, that targets children aged between nine and 14-years-old.
Brumfitt has also teamed up with experts to create a companion parenting book and free research hub.
Governor-General David Hurley congratulated all honours and awards recipients.
“The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring,” he said via a press release.
“They go above and beyond, are from all over the country, and contribute every day in every way imaginable.
“These are the people who see us through good times and bad. They’re the first to show up and the last to leave.
“They’re almost always humble to a fault but I urge recipients, for today, to put aside that humility – it’s important they know how much they are valued.”
In addition to the 736 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (6 AC, 47 AO, 177 AM and 506 OAM), the Honour List included 30 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (2 AO, 17 AM and 11 OAM), 217 Meritorious awards and 64 Distinguished and Conspicuous awards.
The list also included 77 Australians recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Additional reporting via AAP
