North Queensland Investiture Ceremony, Townsville 22 September 2023

The Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM has presented ten North Queenslanders with Australian Honours and Awards at an Investiture Ceremony in Townsville on Friday 22 September 2023.

Each of the Awardees has given back to our State and nation in myriad ways. Whether it be contributing significantly through service to their communities – to our youth, First Nations people and some of our most vulnerable citizens – or, to industries as varied as road transport and horticulture.

Also among the recipients  are those who have given loyal and dedicated service to our emergency services, including the Rural Fire Service, Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Ambulance Service. And, in the case of Commendation for Brave Conduct recipient, Mr Ben McCauley, someone who demonstrated great courage and selflessness, rendering assistance to help retrieve a shark attack victim in Cid Harbour in 2018.

Congratulations to all recipients:

APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Peter Cooke AM
For significant service to the Indigenous community of the Northern Territory.

The Honourable Ian Macdonald AM
For significant service to the people and Parliament of Australia, to local government, and to the community of Northern Australia.

AWARDED THE AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Mr Waine Scott AFSM
For distinguished service to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

AWARDED THE AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ASM)
Assistant Commissioner Matthew Green ASM
For distinguished service as a member of the Queensland Ambulance Service.

AWARDED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (ESM)
Mr Darryl Prizeman ESM
For distinguished service as a member of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and concurrent service in the Queensland Rural Fire Service.

AWARDED THE MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Laurence Dixon OAM
For service to horticulture.

Mr Kevin Pattel OAM
For service to the road transport industry, and to the community of Richmond.

Mrs Dushyanthi Thangiah OAM
For service to the community through social welfare organisations.

Mrs Janet White OAM
For service to youth, and to the community of Townsville.

AWARDED THE COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
Mr Benjamin McCauley

Mr Ben McCauley is commended for brave conduct for his actions retrieving a shark attack victim in Cid Harbour on Whitsunday Island, Queensland on 19 September 2018.

A recording of the livestream of the ceremony is available below.