Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) places on record its support for recipients of the Order of Australia;

(2) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our communities and country, and to non-citizens who have given extraordinary service to Australia;

(3) notes that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been more than 600 recipients of the Companion of the Order of Australia, over 3,300 awarded Officers of the Order of Australia, more than 11,600 inducted as Members of the Order of Australia and more than 26,800 honoured as recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia;

(4) recognises the recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2021 come from an array of fields including science, education, governance and sport; and

(5) encourages all Members to congratulate recipients from their electorates on this immense achievement.

The Order of Australia is awarded to Australians who have significantly served our community and have been great achievers in their chosen field. I'm always delighted to have the chance to reflect on the hard work, service and accomplishments of Australians in my community. Several Berowra constituents were recently inducted into the order, and today I would like to take the opportunity to recognise their service and offer my congratulations. From service in education and the disability sector to contributions in aviation, law, horticulture and publishing, the recipients of this year's awards span a diverse array of fields and reflect the enormous ability of Berowra constituents.

Professor Ronald Bartsch of Cheltenham has been appointed as Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to aviation law, safety and compliance. Professor Bartsch is considered one of the world's leading experts on aviation law and aviation safety. He's been a barrister and a lecturer in law for over 25 years, and, as managing director and chairman of Avlaw Aviation Consulting International, he works with almost 100 specialist aviation consultants and lawyers across the Asia-Pacific. His books include International Aviation Law, The Corona Dilemma: 20-20 Thinking for the Next Normal, Drones in Society and Aviation Law in Australia.

Graham Ross of Beecroft was appointed Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the broadcast media, and particularly to horticulture and the community. Graham has been a fixture on Australian radio and television for four decades. He's been a presenter on television shows, including Better Homes and Gardens, and runs The Garden Clinic on 2GB. He operates Ross Garden Tours, a local family-operated garden tour company, which is one of the best in Australia. Starting as a teacher at Ryde TAFE, he has been a passionate advocate for horticulture and for young people choosing careers in gardening. I particularly think of the work that he's done through the Australian Garden Council. He's also a major identity in the Beecroft community, always finding ways to contribute, not just nationally but locally as well. Today I acknowledge the immense contribution Graham has made to horticulture.

Francis Deane of Castle Hill has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to people with disability and to the community. Francis, or Frank as he's known, has contributed to numerous community organisations, including the Rotary Club of Carlingford, the Probus Club of Carlingford-North Rocks, the New South Wales Masonic Club, the Buccaneers, and the Northern Barbarians Rugby Club. He's made a significant contribution to Foresight, acting as its chair since 2014.

I also want to acknowledge the contribution of Colin Llewellyn of West Pennant Hills, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Presbyterian Church of Australia. Colin has served as a session clerk, a superintendent of Sunday schools and an elder at the Beecroft Presbyterian Church. He has also worked as the voluntary chaplain and the spiritual adviser at the Cherrybrook Christian Care Centre and has previously held positions as Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Social Services and the Allowah Presbyterian Children's Hospital.

Congratulations to Lynn McCrindle of Pennant Hills, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to children and to education. Mrs McCrindle was one of the founders of Pacific Hills Christian School, one of the great schools in my electorate. She worked as a teacher there from 1979 and was on the board of the school until 2018. She has been a volunteer with Christian Missions International and is on the international management committee. Mrs McCrindle has also been a volunteer with the West Pennant Hills Community Church for over 50 years and has been a volunteer with Crossroads since 1996. Her family involvement of the life of Pacific Hills continues, with her son, the social researcher Mark McCrindle as the chairman and with various grandchildren attending that school as students.

David Rosenberg of Kenthurst has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to publishing. David was the founder and director of the independent publisher Kangaroo Press until 1997, when it was sold to Simon & Schuster. While operating Kangaroo Press, David and his wife published around a thousand non-fiction books, covering Australian history, biography, military maritime history, sport, craft, agriculture, radio pioneers, gardening, railways and Aboriginal affairs. David established Rosenberg Publishing in 2002, and at the age of 89 David continues to operate Rosenberg Publishing with his wife, averaging 12 non-fiction books a year. In 2009 he was the recipient of a George Robertson Award from the publishing industry.

Finally, I want to recognise Geoffrey Scott of Carlingford. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to education and professional associations. Geoffrey's involvement in education spans over 55 years and includes seven years as President of the New South Wales Primary Principals Association. He became a school principal in 1983 before retiring in 2016 and is a life member of the New South Wales association and currently a principal support officer. He's also a life member of the Australian Government Primary Principals Association, holding several other significant roles.

All these people have made a significant contribution to our community and our country, and I salute them.

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