13 Coasties recognised in Australia Day Honours

Thirteen Central Coast residents were among 1047 people recognized in this year’s Australia Day Honours List for activities ranging from services to the disabled and the community to contributions to sport, veteran welfare and the law.

Governor-General David Hurley said all recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and were inspiring.

“They go above and beyond, are from all over the country, and contribute every day in every way imaginable,” he said.

“These are the people who see us through good times and bad.

“They’re the first to show up and the last to leave.

“They’re almost always humble to a fault … (but) it’s important they know how much they are valued.”

Anne Craig OAM of Ourimbah – service to the performing arts

Anne Craig is a former stage manager, production manager and producer for Laycock Theatre Productions.

She said she wanted to share the honour with her late husband, Don Craig, the initial manager of Laycock St Community Theatre.

“(For 10 years) from 1988 the variety and standard of productions at Laycock Street Theatre remain extremely memorable,” she said.

“Included in that period were several ‘in-house’ productions (which) attracted a wide audience, were consistently supported and afforded local talent on the Central Coast an opportunity to develop under the guidance of professional directors, choreographers, set designers and musicians.

“Aside from Government Bicentennial Grants that financed the construction of the facility, the Central Coast community had a philosophical dedication to the theatre’s growth and success.

“We were all united in our endeavours to bring the best entertainment possible to the stage of Laycock St Theatre and, as a group, we were always inspired by the vision, enthusiasm, and dedication of Don Craig.”

Joseph Galea OAM of The Entrance North –service to the Maltese community of NSW

When he was 10 years old Joseph Galea came to Australia from Malta and he discovered in later years that his prowess as a Maltese folk musician and singer was an entertaining way to bring the Maltese community together.

“It started back in 1975 when I had my own band and the Maltese Council of NSW decided to hold a concert and they asked me to play some Maltese folklore music on my guitar,” he said.

“When I started singing they stormed the stage, crying and becoming emotional, and it was obvious there was a lot of need for the people to connect again with their old country.

“In 1983 I was asked to help organise the musical entertainment for a gala concert at the Opera House to commemorate 100 years of Maltese migrants and also record a Maltese folklore song to tell the story of the Maltese migrant community in Australia.”

Galea is a member of the Maltese Historical Association and was Chair of the Maltese Cultural Association Choir from 1990 to 2003.

For 14 years he has been vice-president of the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco NSW, named for the school he attended in Malta, and a fundraising organisation which donates directly to under-privileged overseas communities.

Dianne Lindsay-Simpson OAM and Peter Simpson OAM of Gwandalan–service to the performing arts as entertainers

It’s especially fitting that Gwandalan husband and wife team Dianne Lindsay-Simpson and Peter Simpson have both been awarded Australia Day honours, as Australiana in music and song is their heart and soul.

“Australia Day is a very important day for us and music-wise as well, to promote Australian music especially traditional style music – it’s just so special that both of us have been awarded this honour at the same time,” Dianne said.

With several nominations over the years for a Golden Guitar at the Tamworth Country Music Festival the couple performed as one of five finalists in the Bush Ballad of the Year this year – a song called Family Tree about Dianne’s country music heritage, a three-way collaboration with fellow Central Coast country musician, Rob McCormack.

Singer songwriter Dianne is the daughter of Reg Lindsay and Heather McKean and the niece of Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean – all considered royalty in the country music business.

Heather and Joy were well-known in their day as the McKean Sisters.

Dianne won the Tamworth People’s Choice Female Vocal Award five times; in 2011 she was inducted in the American Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame – and in 2014 both Peter and Dianne were inducted to the Country Music Hands of Fame Park in Tamworth.

“I was in the military most of my life – Air Force from 1966 to 1997 – so I wasn’t able to do my music professionally all that time but in the past 20 years I’ve made up for that,” Peter said.

The lead guitarist songwriter represents balladeers as a Board Member of the Australian Country Music Foundation and took out the Australian Bush Balladeers Association’s bush ballad award in 2021.

Since 2015 Dianne and Peter have put together the Back to the Bush Spectacular at Tamworth, also available on Youtube, and for the past 12 years recorded The Australian Bush Ballad Show from their home studio in Gwandalan which is syndicated through a Gosford radio station around Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re very passionate about our Australian bush ballads and we think it’s very important to keep those rolling because they tell the story about people and their land, they record our history and help maintain our culture,” Peter said.

“The awards are just a lovely thing to happen to us and we intend to make sure that the wonderful genre of bush ballads doesn’t fade away and continue the stories of Australia in song and music.”

Pauline Maniskas OAM of Wamberal – service to the community of the Central Coast

Pauline Maniskas believes that disabled people should enjoy full inclusion and has had a 22-year association with Camp Breakaway, where she has been a Board Director since 2019.

“I started as a personal carer and then moved on to programming activities and organising campers,” she said.

“When the NDIS came in there was a lot of work and I’ve been there just about every day for the past three years.”

She is also a founding member and secretary of Central Coast Disabled Surfers Association of Australia, which started in 2005.

“I had never heard of the organisation but I swim in the ocean most days and I thought disabled people should be able to do that too,” she said.

Maniskas is actie at the group’s regular surf days and also travels to other branches to help out.

She has volunteered with Our Lady Star of the Sea, Terrigal, for 30 years and is also a volunteer with Youth Off the Streets.

She said she was “dumbstruck” by the award and accepted it on behalf of every volunteer on the Coast.

Dr Michael Mitchelmore OAM of Copacabana – service to mathematics education and the community

A love of mathematics and music has seen Michael Mitchelmore enjoy an outstanding career in the mathematical field and a host of community involvement, particularly involving choral work.

Born in the UK, Mitchelmore has lived in Australia for 32 years and said he was very excited at being awarded an OAM.

At Macquarie University he has been an Honorary Associate Professor in the arts faculty since 2012, a Director, Centre for Research in Mathematics and Science Education, an Associate Professor of Education and a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics.

He has also been involved with numerous other organisations and the NSW Department of Education’s Count Me Into Space numeracy program and has been the lead author on 19 books.

Mitchelmore was also a Founding Board Member of the Kuringai Youth Orchestra, a member of the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, a performer with Central Coast Opera, treasurer of Central Coast Conservatorium (2015-2019) and a volunteer with Gosford Theatre Company since 2015.

He is especially proud of his work as leader of the committee which agitated for a Men’s Shed at Copacabana, which has just been built after six years of advocacy.

Anthony Mylan OAM of Wamberal – service to the community, to youth and to education

For the Rotary Club of West Gosford, Anthony Mylan has held various roles since 1998 and for Rotary District 9680 he was Assistant District Governor from 2004-2006.

He has been a member of Terrigal Trotters Running Club since 1993 and was the Founding Race Director for the Bay to Bay Fun Run from 2004-2006.

His most proud achievement is being CEO of ET Australia since 1994 and Founding Principal of ET Australia Secondary College in Gosford since 2013.

The college offers students a fresh start in a Year 7-12 independent high school which is different to traditional schools.

“Established a decade ago, the college is now a school of first choice, having many advantages over larger schools,” he said.

Other involvements include: Jobs Australia, CASAR Park Motorsport Precinct, Wheelchair Foundation Australia, Job Futures, Parkside Gosford, Central Coast Local Employer Council and Community Compass Incorporated.

He was Chair of the Wyong Local Advisory Group from 2010-2013.

Clint Newton OAM of Avoca Beach – service to rugby league

Clint Newton counts playing his first game in first grade as one of his career highlights.

“I always loved the game so much – I loved the camaraderie and I loved what it gave me as a person,” he said.

He went on to play 112 games for the Newcastle Knights, 15 games for the Melbourne Storm, including the Premiership in 2007, 100 games for Hull Kingston Rovers in the English Rugby Super League and 46 games for the Penrith Panthers.

But it his work with the Australian Rugby League Players Association of which he is most proud.

He has been CEO and Managing Director since 2020 after holding several other offices and being and a Board Member since 2013 and from 2004-07 before going to England.

“It has been a good chance to give back – having the opportunity to give players and their families much improved terms and conditions not just financially but away from the field,” he said.

While being awarded an OAM was a “significant” achievement”, he said he acknowledged and understood the significance of January 26 for First Nations people.

“We have a responsibility to show our empathetic support towards Indigenous communities; for many it is a day of great sadness,” he said.

John Stavert OAM of Brooklyn – service to the communities of Hornsby and Brooklyn

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For Hornsby Diabetes Support Group John Stavert has been a member since 1993 and President and Coordinator for 20 years.

He has been a volunteer with Brooklyn Rural Fire Brigade since 19881, including stints as Deputy Captain and Senior Deputy Captain and served with Cowan Rural Fire Brigade in 1994-45.

He has received several awards from Scouts NSW and has been a volunteer piano tutor with Wesley Mission since 2019.

He is also a former volunteer with Brooklyn Community Health Centre and Hawkesbury River Sailing Club.

Stuart Tipple OAM of Terrigal – service to the law

Stuart Tipple was a member of the legal defence team for Michael Chamberlain and Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton through several trials, appeals and inquests and was involved in the Royal Commission into the convictions of the Chamberlains in 1986.

He has been a Principal and Lawyer with Stuart Tipple Law since 2017 and was a                 Partner with Brennan Blair and Tipple Partners from 1980-2015.

He is also: a former President, Central Coast Law Society; Member, Law Society of NSW since 1979; Volunteer, Wills preparation, Wills Promotion Day, Salvation Army; Legal Advisor, Legacy NSW and War Widows Guild of NSW.

He volunteered on humanitarian missions from 1991-2012 and has been a Board Member of the Adventist Development and Relief Association.

Despite receiving numerous accolades in the field of the law, he said his greatest achievement had been being able to help people who can’t help themselves.

“I got so much satisfaction out of helping widows who couldn’t afford legal services,” he said.

“Sometimes they paid with a fruit cake, sometimes with a thank you letter.”

Tipple said his wife Cherie, family members and the people he works with have made his successes possible.

John Wade OAM of Terrigal – service to the community through charitable organisations.

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John Wade has made his mark in the business world as: the owner of Sunpak Fruit Juice (1972-1988); owner/operator of Sunrise Juice, 1976; owner/operator, Big O, 1977; owner, Castle Detergents, 1980-1986; and owner, Snackbrands Pty Ltd, 2008-2018.

He has offered philanthropic support to Vietnam Veterans of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and is a volunteer member of Brisbane Water Legacy.

He has also done philanthropic work with: Coachstop Caravan Park, Hunter New England Health; Rock Art Australia; and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

Peter White OAM of Wamberal – service to veterans and to the community

Having been in the Army for 27 years, Peter White joined the Returned Services League of Australia in 1980, working initially with the Berowra branch.

For Terrigal Wamberal Sub-Branch he has been President (2015-2020), Senior Vice-President, Pensions Advocate for 10 years and a member since 2004.

“I have been particularly involved with the dawn service at Terrigal and we have developed it quite a bit over the years; it is now supported incredibly by the community,” he said.

White has been President and Commandant of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport Association in NSW and the Australian Capital Territory.

A member of Matcham Holgate Brigade of the Rural Fire Service from 1989-2018, he has served as Vice-President and Deputy Captain.

“I first joined as a way to get to know people and being involved with a disciplined group helped me transition from the Army,” he said.

While his role was largely administrative, he was involved in hands-on activity in the large fires of 1994 around Somersby.

Peter Woodhouse OAM of Noraville– service to veterans

Vice-president of Wyong RSL Sub-branch, Peter Woodhouse, has been recognised for his service to veterans.

The 83-year-old from Noraville has held various committee positions in the sub-branch since he joined 24 years ago in 1999, including social secretary, trustee and now vice-president.

In his younger years Woodhouse was in the Army with the transport unit and catering corps and has been awarded the Australian Defence Medal for his service.

“I’ve been a member of the RSL Club for many years and I was always friendly with a lot of the old veterans there and then one day someone asked me to join the sub-branch,” he said.

“I got really involved and it’s been very interesting and some of the things have been helping with the Anzac Day services and volunteering to go around to the schools.”

Before his involvement with Wyong Sub-branch, Woodhouse spent about 10 years from 1972 with Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club where he was patrol captain for seven years and became a life member in 1982.

“This Australia Day award is very unexpected, I feel very honoured and quite surprised,” he said.

Terry Collins and Sue Murray