Sixteen people from the Hunter have been recognised in today’s Queens birthday honours list.
Emeritus professor Anthony Smith has been named a member of the order of Australia (AM) for his service to medicine as a clinical pharmacologist.
His list of accomplishments since retiring from the University of Newcastle include working with the World Health Organisation to improve the quality of medicines and policies in developing countries.
“It all grew out of what we did here but it had to applied in a different way to countries which are at a much earlier stage of development,” he said.
Others have been recognised for their dedication to community based programs.
Port Stephens local area commander Craig Rae receives the Australian police medal for his contribution to policing since1985.
Allan Hepplewhite whose list of accomplishments include setting up the Port Stephens fire control centre receives the Australian fire service medal.
He says firefighting has greatly improved over the years.
“It’s certainly made firefighting more professional from a point of view that the equipment’s already there within their zone available,” he said.
Mr Hepplewhite says he is now turning his skills towards investigating bushfires in Port Stephens, including tracking down people who deliberately start them.
“The main thing is to work with the police trying to identify what caused the fire and apprehend the people that might be involved, but the rural fire service’s idea was to find out what’s causing these fires and what do we do to reduce the number of fires,” he said.
Those who have received the Order of Australia (OAM) medal include..
Patricia Allen of Maitland, Alan Arnold from Newcastle, James MacKay of Cooks Hill and Marjory Wotherspoon from Kurri have all been recognised for their service to the community.
Philip Hele of Pokolbin has been given an OAM for his service to tourism.
Neville Harris who has retired at Bonnells Bay has been recognised for his service to the community at Lake Cargelligo.
Margaret Flannery from Dungog receives a medal in recognition of her service to local government and her local community.
Tea Gardens resident Peter McKay for his service to aged people.
Ellen Are of Morisset receives an OAM for contribution to golf.
East Maitland’s Myee Sivyer for her service to music education.
Arthur Soper from Tighes Hill has been recognised for service to cricket and the community.
Susan Walton of Newcastle for service to community health and to people with a disability.
Ronald Welsh from Rutherford has been recognised for service to the community through meals on wheels.
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