Community Champions Recognised In Queen’s Birthday Honours

Nearly 1,000 Australians received recognition in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, with governor general, David Hurley, saying they represent the very best of Australia.

“Recipients share some common traits – including selflessness, excellence and a commitment to service,” he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the 119 Queensland recipients, whose wide-ranging contributions stretch from the grass courts of Wimbledon to the halls of Parliament, and beyond.

“The latest honourees include dedicated health leaders and public servants, gifted athletes and authors, passionate advocates for veterans and people with a disability, and tireless community volunteers,” the Premier said.

“Importantly, all were nominated by members of the public and I’m delighted their service, talent, loyalty and perseverance has been recognised with a place in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours.”

23 Queenslanders were appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM), including former Minister in the Beattie and Bligh Governments, and long-serving Member for Mackay, the late Tim Mulherin.

“This honour is a richly deserved acknowledgement of Tim’s unparalleled service to his community and to our state,” the Premier said.

“It recognises the enormous regard in which he was held by everyone he met across the political divide.

“As a friend who knew his great heart for people, and a colleague who saw his extraordinary commitment and achievements, I can say that no-one is more worthy of such an award.”

Among the Queensland recipients, three from the Mackay and Isaac regions, from vastly different backgrounds yet bonded by the desire to enrich the lives of others.

Two local recipients received the Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division (AM): as previously mentioned, the late Tim Mulherin for significant service to the people and Parliament of Queensland, and Dr Sunday Adebiyi, for service to general practice medicine.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said it was “lovely for Tim to once again be honoured in these significant awards”.

“Thank you to Erin and the boys for all the support they provided to Tim as he served our community,” Mrs Gilbert said.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said Dr Sunday’s AM is “absolutely wonderful acknowledgement for his years of service to rural health”.

“Your efforts and support for our community is truly appreciated,” Mayor Baker added.

Dr Sunday Adebiyi has been a general practitioner in Dysart for more than 16 years. He migrated from Nigeria to Australia in 2000 and entered rural and remote medicine to help people.

Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM), one of six officers in Queensland to be bestowed with the honour.

Senior Sergeant Novosel joined the QPS in 1995 and is currently the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Mackay District Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU).

Mrs Gilbert said, “We are very lucky here in Mackay to have an officer of this calibre working to keep our children safe.”

“The work she does is invaluable for our community.”

QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll said every little thing the Police award recipients had experienced throughout their lives made them perfect police officers.  

“Police officers aren’t born, they’re made,” she said.

The late Tim Mulherin was posthumously appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Photos supplied

Dr Sunday Adebiyi was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia, for service to general practice medicine

Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel was awarded the Australian Police Medal

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