From midwives and firefighters to farmers and community stalwarts – plus a national tennis icon in the middle – the Riverina was well-represented in the awards.

A founding member of the Holbrook SES, Phil says the work he undertakes isn’t pretty, but giving back to the community is important. Phil 65, is the last remaining founding member of the squad, which was formed in 1980. Mr Downs guesses he has been to between 70 and 100 fatal crashes in that time, but his work to free people from vehicles has also saved lives. 

“It hasn’t been an easy time,” he said. “But you just do your thing, do your bit for the community, and that’s a part of it.”

The volunteer work has also taken him away from the rural town to major emergencies, including the rescue of Stuart Diver at Thredbo following a landslide in 1997. Mr Downs had been a member of the Rural Fire Service but moved to the SES in search of “a bit more of a challenge”. Read more

Jenny Ellis is a sought-after lady in the Albury Wodonga Health Maternity Unit, but her reputation as one of the best midwives on the Border doesn’t sit well.

“It’s not individual people – we couldn’t do it without the cleaning and kitchen staff, the doctors – it’s a whole team,” she said, reflecting on her Order of Australia Medal.

“I thought it was a mistake – there’s another Jenny Ellis in Albury-Wodonga – when they rang up I said ‘I think you have the wrong person’. Then I was embarrassed and amazed. This award is for the whole maternity unit.”

Ms Ellis completed her general training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1976 – following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmothers, nursing was her aspiration originally. But she was quickly taken by the beauty of bringing new life into the world, working as a midwife in Frankston for 10 years before moving to Gerogery. 

“When you look after someone you know it sticks in your mind, that’s really special, and there’s always some sad times in midwifery and you remember those too,” Ms Ellis said. Read more

One of Australia's most prominent sportswomen, former tennis world number 1, Evonne Goolagong Cawley has been awarded the most prestigious Australia Day honour. Beloved for her grace on court and gracious nature, the Barellan-born Goolagong Cawley said she was surprised and overwhelmed at the news. "To be considered for any award, let alone this one, is a humbling experience, for all I have done in my life is to try hard at the things that I loved doing," she said. She is among 16 recipients of the AC, the Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia, and has been recognised for her years as a player and for her charity work with indigenous youth. Read more

Group Officer Mark Hoskinson joined the Kikoira Brigade in July 1979 and has served as Deputy Captain, Captain, Deputy Group Captain and Group Captain.

Mark has excellent leadership skills and is well respected amongst the Bland Temora Zone volunteers, his colleagues and peers. He continually demonstrates his professionalism, resilience and commitment to the RFS by representing volunteers on the Senior Management Team and the Bland Temora Zone Bushfire Management Committee. Mark has further demonstrated his capabilities in managing local and out of area crews, aircraft, heavy plant and providing timely and reliable information to the Incident Management Team. Mark is extremely passionate about his group, which involves the isolated remote areas of Naradhan, Gubbatta and Kikoira. These and neighbouring districts have benefited from his positive attitude to change and continuous improvement for the benefit of the wider community.

Rose Lehmann has been recognised for her service to the Lockhart community with an Order of Australia Medal. Mrs Lehmann is the current vice-president of the Lockhart Can Assist branch, where she has also served as treasurer. Other achievements include life memberships of the Lockhart and District Historical Society; Lockhart Central School Parents and Citizens Association since 1989; more than 45 years’ membership and a decade of judging with the Lockhart Show Society; 30 years with the Country Women’s Association; and various roles and memberships with the Lockhart Tidy Towns committee, Arts Council, progress association and events.

On top of a radio production career spanning six decades, Mr Mayer has been heavily involved in the Coolamon Heritage and Advancement Society, provided his sound expertise for countless community events, and provided commentary on Sydney ferries for 60 years. Mr Mayer said it was an honour to be recognised for such a rewarding career. “I can’t believe it actually, I'm overwhelmed with it – having been in radio for so long, i'm used to interviewing people rather than people interviewing me” Mr Mayer said. “To see people smile after an ocean cruise, to see people clap to the productions we’ve done – that makes everything worthwhile and that's been the most rewarding thing for me.”

Coolamon’s Robert Menzies was among the recipients to be honoured with an Order of Australia medal for his service to local government and to the Coolamon community. Mr Menzies served as the mayor of Coolamon Shire for 17 years, led numerous community clubs and committees, and was the captain of the North Berry Jerry Bushfire Brigade for 36 years. Despite his undeniably impressive list of contributions to the community, Mr Menzies said he was taken by surprise when he received the award. “It's a bit of a surprise, but it's an honour and very humbling,” Mr Menzies said. “The Coolamon community is very close, and it's been great to be a part of it – I think being involved with all of those clubs made me grounded before I went onto council. Then I was lucky to serve on the council with a good general manager and great staff – that's the secret.” 

One of Griffith’s iconic conservation and the environmental experts has been announced as the proud recipient of the prestigious Order of Australia Medal. Geoffrey Sainty was born and raised in Hanwood, and said the announcement was “surprising” in the best way.

“I had the first inkling of it late last year when they said I was being considered for it, and the only person I told is my partner Leslie,” Mr Sainty said.

After a 40-year love affair with water plants, his expertise has made numerous contributions to the literary world as an author, co-author and co-editor of numerous technical books and field guides on the environment and ecology. While only semi-retired, he is still dabbling in projects, lending his expert advice to two projects outside of Griffith: one in Morton Bay and another in Newcastle. And that’s not forgetting his passion to see Griffith’s Lake Wyangan restored to it’s former glory. Read more

Neville Thompson has been recognised for his service to agriculture and the community of Temora with an Order of Australia medal.

Mr Thompson has managed and owned ‘Marnoo’ for almost half a century, with the property owned by family since 1908. Mr Thompson has hosted field days in crop and pasture production as well as business managemenr procedures for agricultural colleges, TAFE and high schools.

Memberships: Executive Council of Agricultural Bureau of NSW, Charles Sturt University Wagga  Agricultural Advisory Committee, Crisco Canola Awards field judging panel, Barley Industry Liaison Committee (1983-84), Gumly Gumly Water Scheme Committee (1970s), Temora Silo Committee (1970s), president of Regional Council of Agricultural Bureau for Southern Region (1975), inaugural president Agricultural Bureau of Temora (1974), member of 1983 judging panel for Henty Field Day farm inventor of the year, judging panel 1992 National Landcare Awards.

Rotary Club of Temora: Director, Vocational Service, for many years. Member since 1976, president 1979-1980 and a Paul Harris Fellow, since 2005.