Members of Australian Public Services in all States and Territories of the nation were recognised for their commitment and abilities on King Charles’ Birthday Honours List for 2023.
The King’s recognition for members of the Western Australian Public Sector were presented in accordance with the Order of Australia and announced on His Majesty’s behalf by his Excellency the Governor-General, General David Hurley.
“Learning about the wide-ranging service of recipients, which spans almost every field of endeavour imaginable, is uplifting and makes me enormously optimistic for our country. Collectively they speak to who we are now and who we can be in the future,” the Governor-General said.
“Notably, for the first time since the Order of Australia was established in 1975, the majority of recipients in the General Division are women. Similarly, there is gender parity or better at the three highest levels in the Order,” he said.
Current and past members of the WA public service honoured on the occasion, including the recipients of the Public Service Medal this year, were:
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Paul Kenneth ARMSTRONG PSM
Department of Health
For outstanding public service through contributions to the health and wellbeing of Western Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commencing as Deputy Chief Health Officer at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Western Australia, Dr Armstrong played a leading role in successfully eliminating community transmission of COVID-19 during the first wave of the virus in the State.
An expert in infectious disease control and pandemic planning, and with previous experience in managing a swine flu outbreak on board a vessel in 2009, the Australian Government looked to Dr Armstrong to assess a COVID-19 outbreak on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship in February 2020.
His advice and swift actions led to the safe evacuation of passengers and laid the foundation for future management of marine vessels experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks that were headed towards Australian ports, including the Artania cruise ship and the Al Kuwait cargo ship.
It was Dr Armstrong’s work that set the national benchmark for the way Australia managed marine vessels such as cruise and cargo ships during the COVID-19 crisis, and his advice now serves as a best practice guide for other jurisdictions in Australia and overseas.
Dr Armstrong has also played a vital role in developing government policy on phased community restrictions, and in implementing Western Australia Health’s robust case identification and contract tracing system.
Dr Armstrong’s calm, measured and expert guidance at a critical time during the public health crisis played a vital role in keeping Western Australians safe, leaving behind an international legacy.
Dr Margaret Mary BYRNE PSM
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
For outstanding public service in scientific leadership in conservation biology and genomics and integration with policy and management.
From the beginning of her career, Dr Byrne has been at the forefront of applying new genetic and genomic research techniques to understand what makes Australian plants unique and continues to drive innovation in the field today.
Her scientific leadership has brought researchers together in a united effort to understand the evolutionary history of Australia’s flora and fauna.
In her public service leadership role, Dr Byrne advocates for and guides the implementation of scientific advancement. This approach secures support for crucial environmental research and monitoring projects; and extends to forging research partnerships and collaborations to leverage government’s investment in conservation research and management.
Dr Byrne has contributed to the establishment of strategic infrastructure that supports effective scientific enquiry and informed policy development through State and Commonwealth research and policy bodies.
This includes the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and Western Australian Marine Science Institution to ensure Western Australia is well placed to deal with ongoing conservation challenges.
Through her leadership in response to the 2015 and 2019/20 south coast bushfires, Dr Byrne demonstrated an ability to balance scientific rigour and strategic resource management to solve challenges, ensuring the survival of threatened species.
In recent years, Dr Byrne has progressed big data projects including establishment of the Biodiversity Information Office and a collaborative data sharing platform ‘Dandjoo’.
Dr Byrne mentors and supports the younger generation of scientists and is an ambassador for women in science. An influential and persuasive voice for science in government, Dr Byrne is a committed, passionate steward of a vast, diverse and unique environment, to the great benefit of current and future Western Australians.
Dr Tudor Adrian CODREANU PSM
Department of Health
For outstanding public service through contributions to the Western Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From June 2021 until December 2022 Dr Codreanu was responsible for leading the State’s COVID-19 response as Incident Controller of the State Health Incident Coordination Centre at the WA Department of Health.
Prior to stepping up to this position Dr Codreanu worked as a medical advisor, providing advice and support around clinical matters related to COVID-19. With 30 years’ experience as a medical doctor, with significant experience in emergency and disaster medicine, Dr Codreanu was selected as the medical team lead for the Australian Medical Assistance Team and was integral in repatriating more than 160 Australians from the Diamond Princess, after a coronavirus outbreak on board.
He also led the WA Medical Assistance Team on several COVID-19 missions, where he coordinated accommodation and medical care for returning cruise ship passengers on Rottnest Island in addition to leading critical medical operations on board other maritime vessels, including the MS Artania, Al Kuwait, AI Messilah, Key Integrity and Patricia Oldendorff.
He made a substantial contribution to keeping the WA community safe and well, including key roles in managing outbreaks in residential aged care facilities and remote Aboriginal communities, coordinating St John Ambulance’s emergency response and developing and implementing COVID-19 outbreak plans across a range of settings from hospitals to prisons.
Dr Codreanu’s expertise has been published in peer reviewed scientific literature, including a collaboration with Ulster University in Northern Ireland and Queen’s University in Belfast, to model the outbreak of COVID-19 on commercial cargo vessels.
Drawing on his extensive emergency and disaster medicine experience, Dr Codreanu played a crucial role in positioning the WA health system to successfully manage the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing expert advice to the Chief Health Officer and Director General of the Department of Health.
David Phillip ETHERTON PSM
VenuesWest
For outstanding public service in coordination of support for the sporting, entertainment and creative industries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Chief Executive Officer of VenuesWest, Mr Etherton saw first-hand the economic and community impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and responded promptly and effectively.
Recognising the implications of the pandemic for the sporting, creative and entertainment industries, Mr Etherton implemented key policies and flexible funding arrangements to assist with the long term financial viability of artists, clubs and venues.
He led the cross government taskforce that established the $159 million Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist the economic and social recovery of the Western Australian community.
Working with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, WA Police, Department of Health and Western Australian Institute of Sport, Mr Etherton facilitated the return of elite athletes to multiple venues during lockdowns with special purpose Directions allowing WA Olympic hopefuls to resume training and remain competitive.
Mr Etherton was also involved in securing multiple events of national significance for Western Australia in the midst of the pandemic. As a member of the Steering Committee for the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final, he managed contract negotiations, amendments to COVID-19 Directions, adherence to safety protocols and liaison with key stakeholders in a constantly evolving COVID-19 environment. This led to the successful delivery of an event that would usually require more than 6 months planning with less than a month’s notice.
Recognising an opportunity to help the broader community and reduce food waste, Mr Etherton coordinated and led an initiative to take over the kitchens at Optus Stadium with chefs from VenuesWest, VenuesLive (Optus stadium) and ASM Global (RAC Arena) to produce 20,000 packaged meals which were distributed by OzHarvest to people in need across the State. Demonstrating leadership, effective collaboration and quick decision making, Mr Etherton supported WA Police in rapidly establishing a fit for purpose Command Centre for COVID-19 operations at Optus Stadium.
In extremely complex and challenging circumstances, he leveraged his role for the benefit of the Western Australian economy, and delivered maximum service to the people of Western Australia.
Helen Mary GLADSTONES PSM
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
For outstanding public service through contributions to State security, and emergency preparedness and management.
Ms Gladstones has provided leadership to the Office of State Security and Emergency Coordination team at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet since 2017, advising the Premier, Ministers and senior officials on matters associated with State security and emergency management policy in Western Australia.
Ms Gladstones was instrumental in the establishment of the Security and Emergency Committee of Cabinet, a sub-committee of Cabinet. She has been a tireless contributor to the work of the State Emergency Management Committee as well as supporting fellow officers undertaking inquiries into bushfires and cyclones in Western Australia.
Through her strong relationships with a wide network of stakeholders across Australia, she enables the State to maintain awareness of evolving terrorism and natural disaster issues and incidents.
Her involvement and contribution also help to shape national approaches from a uniquely Western Australian perspective, delivering on the State’s commitment to the National Counter Terrorism arrangements.
Representing Western Australia diligently on numerous interjurisdictional bodies, Ms Gladstones has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the State’s emergency management measures at an executive government level. She has been an advisor and at times official representative on the National Counter Terrorism Committee as well as other key inter-jurisdictional bodies.
Through her enthusiasm and diligence, Ms Gladstones has contributed substantially to the maintenance of credible and productive State security and emergency management policy positions, ensuring both a sustained focus on these vital areas of public policy and the safety of the people of Western Australia.
Dr Clare Margaret HUPPATZ PSM
Department of Health
For outstanding public service through management of public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early 2020, Dr Huppatz took over the role of Strategy Coordinator for the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
By September 2021, she had assumed the role of Deputy Chief Health Officer in the Office of the Chief Health Officer where she was responsible for providing critical public health advice to guide WA’s health response.
Dr Huppatz was instrumental in the development of key WA capabilities and strategies to manage COVID-19 including the health response to cruise ships and other maritime vessels, infection prevention and control guidelines, and key outbreak management requirements for hospitals, the community and quarantine hotels.
In July 2022, at short notice, she took over the role of leading WA’s contact tracing service through the next wave of COVID-19. Her management and guidance of contact tracing services across the community, including outbreaks in residential aged care facilities and remote Aboriginal communities, ensured the most vulnerable members of the Western Australian community were protected.
Through her innovative and highly effective implementation of public health and social measures, testing, tracing, isolation and quarantine protocols, and COVID-19 vaccine initiatives, Dr Huppatz played a significant role in protecting the WA population from the full effects of COVID-19.
Elizabeth Mary MacLEOD PSM
Department of Health
For outstanding public service in the management of the health response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Lead Chief Executive COVID-19 Health Operations, in addition to her substantive Chief Executive function, Mrs MacLeod’s leadership was crucial to the coordination of health operations across Western Australia, as well as bringing together the respective health services executives.
Mrs MacLeod’s tireless efforts working around the clock to guide WA throughout the pandemic were instrumental in ensuring readiness and effective responses including establishing COVID-19 testing clinics, conducting healthcare worker recruitment drives and building emergency bed capacity across the WA health system.
Through the establishment of the WA COVID-19 testing system she ensured that up-to-the-minute insights were provided to the WA Government to inform decision making. Once established, the system was rolled out to all COVID-19 clinics across the State within a fortnight.
Mrs MacLeod led the development of the WA Health COVID-19 Framework for System Alert and Response (SAR). The SAR was developed to assist hospitals and health services manage the risks of COVID-19 transmission in a consistent and coordinated manner while ensuring the provision of appropriate care and safety for patients, staff and visitors.
A powerful advocate for patient centred care and the need to support the health workforce, Mrs MacLeod is an outstanding example and mentor to many people in WA Health aspiring to leadership positions.
Her selfless commitment to her staff and colleagues – and through them the public health system – was critical to the WA Government meeting public expectations for the management of COVID-19.
Anthony Xavier SUTTON PSM
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
For outstanding public service in supporting the sustainable development of the resources, minerals and energy sectors of Western Australia.
Mr Sutton has excelled in his roles as Executive Director, Hydrogen and New Energies, (Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation; 2021-2023), and Director/Executive Director (Department of Water and Environmental Regulation; Office of the Environmental Protection Authority; 2011-2021).
He is the principal WA Government lead for the development of the hydrogen and batteries metals industries. Both industries offer realistic pathways for low carbon alternative energy supplies for the State and the world, and diversification of the State’s economy.
As Director/Executive Director of Environmental Protection Authority Services, his experience in the Western Australian public sector and knowledge of the natural environment ensured the Environmental Protection Authority was provided with high quality advice to enable sustainable development across Western Australia.
Mr Sutton has overseen the delivery of the State’s Hydrogen Roadmap goals from development through to implementation. He was instrumental in leading the implementation of the WA Future Battery and Critical Minerals Industries Strategy to develop downstream processing of minerals used for battery production.
As Director/Executive Director for EPA Services, Mr Sutton oversaw the preparation of environmental impact assessment advice for all major projects for Western Australia and oversaw ground breaking reforms of the environmental impact assessment process, including the implementation of risk and outcome based conditions setting.
Mr Sutton’s leadership in cross government coordination has ensured that investment opportunities in Western Australia are promoted across the world, that investor interest is captured, investment proposals are appropriately facilitated through the Government and that the right rules and processes are in place. This has been vital to diversifying the Western Australian economy.
