Local Australia Day Honours recipients congratulated

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher today congratulated the many Canberrans recognised in the 2012 Australia Day Honours List. Fifty-Seven ACT residents were recipients of the Honours for their outstanding contribution in a wide variety of fields.

"To be recognised in the Australia Day Honours List is one of the highest acknowledgements of individual contribution to the local community. We should be very proud of each and every one of them," the Chief Minister said.

Several Canberrans have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), including:

• Julie Tongs for her work with the local Indigenous community through the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service;
• Denis Page for his contribution to the local business community, including his leadership of the Canberra Business Council for many years;
• Ross Barrett for service to the ACT building and construction industry, particularly his roles as Chair of the ACT Branch of the Master Builders Association and ACT Branch of Regional Development Australia; and
• Geraldine Walters for service to people with a disability through her administrative and fundraising roles with the ACT Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Those appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) include:

• the late Dr John Buckingham, recognised for his services to medicine, particularly the care of women undergoing treatment for breast cancer;
• Sandra Lambert for her long and distinguished career in the ACT Public Service, and leadership in the areas of disability, community housing, health and welfare; and
• Prue Power for her service to community health as an advocate for equity and access to health care services, to the development of professional standards, and to nursing.
• former Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlockfor his contribution to rugby.

"Not surprisingly, many Canberrans were recognised for their contribution to the public sector through the award of Public Service Medals. I would like to personally congratulate Tony Gill from the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate who was recognised for his service to road construction and safety in the ACT," the Chief Minister said.

"I am proud to live in a community made up of so many talented and passionate individuals who give so tirelessly in their respective fields of endeavour and would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all those acknowledged through this year's Australia Day Honours," the Chief Minister concluded.