City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher presented medallions to a beaming group of Order of Australia recipients, recognising their outstanding contributions to the Greater Geelong community.
A civic reception was held at City Hall for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic, to celebrate the Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday Honours received by local community members in 2021.
The 23 people from the region who received honours this year were:
Mr Pete Johnston OAM – Awarded for service to veterans;
Mr Barry Abley OAM – Awarded for service to the community of Geelong;
Mr Brian Edward OAM – Awarded for service to the community of Geelong;
Mr Janet Synot OAM – Awarded for service to the arts, to the community, and to badminton;
Mr Elaine Mitchell OAM – Awarded for service to the performing arts;
Mrs Donna Rae-Szalinski OAM – Awarded for service to cycling;
Mr Alan Joyce OAM – Awarded for service to surf lifesaving, and to the community;
Mr Alistair McCooke OAM – Awarded for service to surf lifesaving;
Professor Debra Nestel AM – Awarded for significant service to medical education through simulated teaching methods;
Professor Peter Gates OAM – Awarded for service to neurology;
Mr Douglas Whan OAM – Awarded for service to the community through the church;
Ms Rosanne King OAM – Awarded for service to sports administration;
Mr Warren Hewitt OAM – Awarded for service to community health through welfare support groups;
Ms Lisa Kingman McGlinchey OAM – Awarded for service to business and community engagement initiatives;
Mr Norman Houghton OAM – Awarded for service to community history;
Mr David Morgan OAM – Awarded for service to the wool industry;
Mr Gary Tomlins OAM – Awarded for service to marine rescue organisations, and to the community;
Ms Jennifer Walsh OAM (Honorary) – Awarded for service to community health, particularly to palliative care;
Mr Alistair Urquhart OAM – Awarded for service to people with a disability through employment initiatives;
Professor Felice Jacka OAM (absent) – Awarded for service to nutritional psychiatry research;
Mr Jeffrey Stewart OAM (absent) – Awarded for service to the community of Drysdale;
Mr Philip Emery OAM (absent) – Awarded for service to the community of Greater Geelong; and
Mr Raymond Weston OAM (absent) – Awarded for service to youth, and to emergency response organisations.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said the recipients represent many different fields, including community service, veterans’ affairs, the arts, sport, health and medicine.
“The 23 recipients have demonstrated qualities of dedication, generosity and passion for their respective areas of interest and I thank them for making Greater Geelong a better place,” Mayor Asher said.
“These community members are all very deserving of the honours they’ve received, and I have no doubt that their efforts have inspired others to strive for the best in their own endeavours.”
