A number of members of the South Coast community have been acknowledged in this year’s Australia Day Honours.
Mr Brian Allan Wheeler from Batemans Bay recived a medal of the Order in the General Division for service to veterans and their families.
Mrs Jan Elizabeth Phillips from the Deua River Valley received a medal of the Order in the General Division for service for significant service to palliative care and oncology nursing.
Dr Lenore Marcella Coltheart from Malua Bay received a medal of the Order in the General Division for service to community history. Dr Coltheart is the History Advisor on the Australian Women’s History Forum and a Member of the South Coast History Society.
Brendan Cross from Mossy Point was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal.
Shirley May Rixon of Merimbula was awarded for her selfless voluntary work throughout the Bega Valley Shire. Ms Rixon has been involved in a number of community-based activities and groups including the Pambula District Hospital Auxiliary, Merimbula Rock and Roll Club and the AFL Sapphire Coast,. She has also run a weekly walk in Merimbula since 2013 for the Heart Foundation.
Far South Coast Surf Lifesaving Branch President Tony Rettke from Tathra received a Emergency Services Medal for his work as a committed and dedicated lifesaver and leader for almost 40 years.
Professor Virginia Gail Hooker from Braidwood was also awarded for significant service to tertiary education, and Asia-Pacific relations.
