Public Service members from all States and Territories have been recognised in the Australia Day Honours List this year, honoured with well-earned rewards for their selflessness and commitment to duty and service for the benefit of the Australian community.
His Majesty, King Charles’ awards for members of the New South Wales Public Service were decided in accordance with the Order of Australia and announced on His Majesty’s behalf by His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia, General David Hurley.
Congratulating the recipients of all the honours, General Hurley described the significant of the recipients as “quite simply, inspiring”.
“They go above and beyond, are from all over the country, and contribute every day in every way imaginable,” the Governor-General 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,” he said
“It’s important they know how much they are valued.”
Members of the New South Wales Public Service honoured this year are:
OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Michael John FULLER APM AO
New South Wales Police
For distinguished service to law enforcement as Commissioner of Police in New South Wales, and to criminal intelligence governance.
Mr Fuller served as New South Wales Police Commissioner from 2017 to 2022. He was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) in 2009.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Anne Ferguson FLINT AM
Department of Education
For significant service to education, and to those with disability.
Ms Flint served as Principle of Holroyd School, Department of Education, from 2004 to 2021.
Susan PEARCE AM
NSW Health
For significant service to public health administration and governance.
Ms Pearce has served as Secretary of NSW Health since 2022.
Deborah Lee WILLCOX AM
NSW Health
For significant service to health administration, and to the community.
Ms Willcox has served as Deputy Secretary of NSW Health since 2022.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Janet Elizabeth BINGHAM PSM
Bathurst Regional Council
For outstanding public service in recognising and maintaining the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the Bathurst region.
Ms Bingham has been employed at Bathurst Regional Council since January 1991 and became the Manager of Strategic Planning in 1997.
She has played a critical role in helping Council develop policy and commitment in working with the Aboriginal community and particularly the custodians of the Bathurst region, the Wiradjuri people.
Throughout her extensive career, Ms Bingham coordinated numerous programs, projects and policy development across three key themes: protection, recognition and reconciliation. Her work has helped facilitate Council’s objective and community priorities detailed in the Community Strategic Plan Respect, protect and promote the region’s Aboriginal heritage assets’ and Enhance the cultural vitality of the region’.
Recognising the lack of research into Bathurst’s Indigenous heritage, Ms Bingham initiated and oversaw the development of the Bathurst Aboriginal Heritage Study in 2015 and the Aboriginal Heritage Interpretation Strategy in 2017.
With the strategy now adopted, she most recently led the placement of interpretive signage educating the community about Aboriginal cultural heritage, particularly on the Mount Panorama/Wahluu boardwalk.
Ms Bingham has also been instrumental in working with land councils, local Government authorities and Aboriginal Elders to achieve the dual naming of the Macquarie River/ Wambuul.
She continues to lead new initiatives to ensure Aboriginal places, language and history are shared and the community is more connected to country and place.
Ms Bingham’s initiatives in the protection and recognition of Aboriginal cultural heritage values of the Bathurst region have had an impact across the Council as an organisation. She has developed excellent relationships with the main Aboriginal groups in Bathurst, including the Wiradjuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation and the Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Ms Bingham has gone beyond the call of her normal duties to help deliver important outcomes for the Wiradjuri and First Nations community in the region.
Gail CONNOLLY PSM
Georges River Council
For outstanding public service to local Government, in particular in managing the amalgamation of Georges River Council.
Ms Connolly is a highly respected senior Government professional who has worked tirelessly throughout her 34-year career in local and State Government implementing reforms aimed at improving behaviours and good governance within the public service sector.
Her experience, inspirational leadership and integrity led to her appointment as the Chief Executive (General Manager) of the new Georges River Council in May 2016 as part of the NSW Government’s council amalgamation program.
Of the 19 new Councils created, Ms Connolly was the only external candidate to be appointed as General Manager to a merged Council. She was considered to be the most experienced professional to tackle the systemic problems that existed between the two former Councils (Hurstville and Kogarah City Councils) in order to transform these local Government entities.
Under Ms Connolly’s leadership, Georges River Council was classified as a high performing showcase council for meeting deadlines and achieving performance indicators during the merger period. Other merger Councils were referred to Georges River Council as the lead example of how to create a merged entity.
As a result of her outstanding and stoic leadership during this very challenging period, Georges River Council expanded its relationships with many local and State stakeholders and was viewed as the pinnacle of a Council’s ability to successfully transition to an amalgamated entity.
Ms Connolly is a passionate advocate for growing, nurturing and developing those around her to find their own potential and encourage a culture of achievement. Her professionalism, ethics, appetite for innovation, and focus on results driven outcomes is why she is considered one of the leading public service professionals in her field.
Dayn Michael COOPER PSM
Department of Planning and Environment
For outstanding public service in protecting and advancing the built heritage of New South Wales.
Mr Cooper has dedicated his professional life to the management and custodianship of several of New South Wales and Australia’s most important living and working heritage sites. He has managed various properties including Vaucluse House, Hyde Park Barracks (1996-2011), The Mint (2003-2011), Elizabeth Bay House and more recently in his current role as Estate Manager of Government House, Sydney.
Mr Cooper is dedicated to the careful management of both the built environment and the landscapes of these important sites. He has project managed major capital works’ including refurbishments of the State Rooms and heritage landscapes to ensure that sites can continue to be visited, used and experienced by different audiences.
He played a key role in delivering the major works required to protect, maintain and make fit-for-purpose Government House’s important heritage structures and collection. Such ongoing investment ensures that the House is able to continue to grow in value and usability.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Cooper oversaw the development of an award-winning Virtual Tour of Government House. He has championed the introduction of other new initiatives including the Artist-in-Residence program and Sculptures@theHouse. He has also restored the program of installing painted and carved coats of arms of former Governors.
Mr Cooper’s leadership and creativity have resulted in heritage sites reaching a much broader audience locally, nationally and internationally. His dedication and commitment to quality and innovation have created an enhanced visitor experience for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations of New South Wales citizens.
Margaret CRAWFORD PSM
Audit Office of NSW
For outstanding public service in ensuring the integrity of the NSW Public sector through her role as Auditor General of NSW.
During her time as Auditor General, Ms Crawford has focused on strengthening the effectiveness and integrity of the NSW public sector. This is demonstrated through impactful reports dealing with complex issues such as the cyber security of the NSW public sector, funding arrangements for integrity Agencies, grants administration, climate change and Aboriginal Land Claims.
Ms Crawford brings a strong people focus to management of the Audit Office. She is the first woman to be appointed Auditor General in its almost 200-year history and her commitment to encouraging and supporting women has seen the Audit Office achieve gender parity at all levels for the first time during her term.
She has also championed the recruitment of Indigenous interns and graduates, making significant increases in diversity in this area for the first time in the organisation.
Ms Crawford also implemented the biggest change in mandate in decades – to audit NSW local councils. She personally delivered 27 presentations to council groups across the State and has worked above and beyond to raise the standard of financial management and reporting by councils and improve Parliament’s oversight of the sector.
In addition, Ms Crawford has tabled almost 150 reports in Parliament that make tangible recommendations to improve the performance of Government Agencies and provide objective scrutiny and analysis of a wide range of Government programs.
As Auditor General, Ms Crawford’s leadership has seen continuous improvement in the quality, clarity and accessibility of audit reports, cutting through to the critical issues and ultimately improving transparency, performance and trust in Government.
Mark Arthur HARRIS PSM
Department of Education
For outstanding public service in education, in particular for driving outcomes at Auburn North Public School.
Mr Harris has been Principal of Auburn North Public School for over 20 years leading a team of 60 staff and 650 students. He focuses on a whole-school approach to literacy and numeracy, deepening teachers’ curriculum and assessment knowledge, enhancing evidence-based practices and maximising parent involvement and engagement in students’ learning.
His vision is for New South Wales to have the best education system in Australia and to be one of the finest in the world.
As Principal, Mr Harris is driving strategies to build 21st century learning skills and to ensure that every child is primed for success at secondary school and in later life.
In his career, he has been guided by three principles; a school is only a school when leadership is distributed and focused on whole school improvement; the key to teaching improvement is through authentic professional learning; and the driving force of a school is focussing on students and their community.
Mr Harris supports and leads some of New South Wales’s most disadvantaged students, including from low socio-economic, non-English-speaking and refugee backgrounds.
He has developed award winning programs such as Harmony House, homework clubs for parents and various community link services to encourage authentic connection between school and home. Auburn North Public School is regularly called upon to share their educational platforms with others and has been recognised by several Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards.
Under his leadership, Auburn North Public School has become one New South Wales’s most successful schools in terms of student educational growth. The school has been selected as one of only 10 Ambassador Schools for New South Wales. The program identifies high-performing schools to research their high impact and highly effective practices, and scale these to similar schools across New South Wales.
Mr Harris’ dedication to education will ensure he will continue to make a major difference not only at Auburn North Public School, but in schools throughout New South Wales.
James Angus McTAVISH CSC ESM PSM
Department of Regional NSW
For outstanding public service to cross border communities and communities facing critical water supply issues.
Since 2014, Mr McTavish has served vulnerable and marginalised communities in regional NSW through his dual roles as NSW Cross-Border Commissioner and NSW Town Water Supply Coordinator (2019-2021).
As NSW Cross-Border Commissioner, Mr McTavish is an advocate for the people who live and work within NSW border communities who face unique challenges and complications that result from complying with multiple jurisdictions.
His commitment and contribution to cross border communities was particularly evident during the Bushfires 2019-20. He also led engagement and support for those people impacted by border closures and travel restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19.
Mr McTavish’s work as NSW Town Water Supply Coordinator significantly and positively impacted communities that faced the real prospect of no water supply during an intensifying drought. In January 2019, as severe drought impacted over 99 per cent of the State and many towns were faced with acute water shortages, Mr McTavish led the Government’s response to ensure clean and safe water for all NSW residents.
Using his strong engagement and emergency operations skills, Mr McTavish’s work supported the mitigation of the short-term town water supply issues across the State and demonstrated where collaboration and early engagement between key parties can improve outcomes.
Mr McTavish is held in the highest regard by people from all tiers of Government, community leaders and key stakeholders. He embeds a culture of authentic engagement and transparency that has long lasting benefits in the essential work he undertakes.
Mr McTavish has demonstrated leadership and persistence during critical periods for the people of NSW. He is compassionate and committed to achieving results and is recognised by stakeholders as being critical to communities recovering from the bushfires, drought and border closures.
He is a trusted source of information and action by individuals, communities, businesses and local Government.
Vicki Gaye MANNING PSM
NSW Health
For outstanding public service through her leadership in the NSW Health COVID-19 response.
In March 2020, Ms Manning was appointed to the role of Director Operations, State Health Emergency Operations Centre (SHEOC) COVID-19.
Bringing 43 years of experience working in the NSW Health System, she excelled in the role, adapting quickly to a fast paced and ever-changing environment, and successfully managing the NSW Health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Director Operations, Ms Manning led SHEOC with incredible resilience, determination, and commitment, working collaboratively with NSW Health partners to respond to the pandemic in ways that had never been done before.
She effectively managed the hotel quarantine and border restrictions arrangements, medical exemption processes, and established testing clinics through public and private pathology providers across NSW.
Without Ms Manning’s outstanding leadership, NSW Health would not have been able to achieve the success it did in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the achievements Ms Manning oversaw and managed include the set-up of over 450 COVID-19 testing clinics across the State; over 250,000 people in mandatory hotel quarantine in NSW facilities; over 47,000 applications assessed; over 14,000 exemptions from various components of the air, maritime and border Public Health Orders granted; and over 387,000 airport arrivals were facilitated to appropriate transport, hotel and health services.
She continues to be highly motived to achieve very challenging goals. Over the last two and a half years, Ms Manning has dedicated herself to ensuring the NSW population remains safe and to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the community and the health care system.
Her capacity to build trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders and bring empathy and a solution focus to very challenging environments is why she is such a highly regarded leader within NSW Health.
Natalie MARSIC PSM
NSW Police Force
For outstanding public service in the COVID-19 response through her role as General Counsel of the NSW Police Force.
Ms Marsic has dedicated her working life to the NSW Public Service.
She rejoined the NSW Police Force in 2018 as the Director of Crime Disruption and Special Inquiries Law having previously worked for the organisation between 1998 and 2008. She was appointed General Counsel for the NSW Police Force in 2021 having acted in the role since June 2020.
As Director of Crime Disruption and Special Inquiries Law, Ms Marsic led the team’s liaison with the State and Commonwealth Agencies, briefed the Commissioner on potential mechanisms for Public Health law enforcement and developed a template for a fact sheet for each relevant COVID-19 Public Health Order. These fact sheets became a key means of communication between the decisions made by the NSW Minister for Health and police officers on the frontline.
Since 2020, as acting General Counsel and then as General Counsel of the NSW Police Force, Ms Marsic has led the Office of General Counsel through a very challenging time. Every amendment to a Public Health Order and subsequent fact sheet was reviewed and quality assured by Ms Marsic. She displayed humility as a leader, while continuing to meet extraordinarily tight deadlines and high volumes of work, all whilst delivering business as usual.
Over the past two and a half years, her technical excellence and collaborative approach has been critical in operationalising the NSW Government’s law enforcement response to COVID-19. Her ability to communicate complex legal orders to the NSW Police Force in short timeframes ensured that these unprecedented laws were enforced proportionately and appropriately.
Ms Marsic went above and beyond the expectations of her role, working around the clock to ensure the public’s confidence in the enforcement of the NSW Public Health Orders, and more broadly, to maintain the public’s confidence and cooperation in the NSW Government’s COVID-19 response.
Wayne Andrew O’CONNOR PSM
Department of Primary Industries
For outstanding public service in aquaculture research.
Dr O’Connor is a Senior Principal Research Scientist at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Fisheries.
Since 2011, he has been the Research Leader for Aquaculture and since 2015, the Director of the largest and most prestigious Aquaculture Research Institute in Australia, the Port Stephens Fisheries Research Institute.
Dr O’Connor is a leading international expert in invertebrate reproductive biology, physiology, ecotoxicology and ecology. He has applied his scientific results to protect and enhance the NSW aquaculture industry.
His research has been aimed at restoring NSW oyster industry production by developing technologies, infrastructure and genetically selected stock to overcome disease and competition from faster growing introduced species.
Since 2008 Dr O’Connor has led the Sydney rock oyster breeding program, arguably the most successful oyster breeding program in the world. His research proved instrumental in combatting the 2021 outbreak of QX disease at Port Stephens, ensuring DPI was prepared to support oyster growers to keep their businesses going throughout 2021.
Dr O’Connor has been recognised for his achievement through various awards, including the NSW Scientist of the Year, Public Sector Science and Engineering.
Recognised nationally and internationally as a leading molluscan aquaculture scientist, Dr O’Connor developed and extended the technology for oyster farming to Vietnam.
He supported the creation of a huge oyster farming industry across 28 Vietnamese provinces and achieved rare recognition from the Vietnamese Government by being awarded the Medal for Agriculture and Rural Development in 2018.
Dr O’Connor works selflessly to promote excellence in science. His research has dramatically improved oyster breeding technology, selective breeding and ploidy manipulation. Dr O’Connor’s work has increased the production of oyster farming in Australia and allowed oyster farmers to recover from devastating diseases by farming disease resistant, faster growing strains.
His contribution to helping establish a large oyster farming industry in Vietnam has resulted in a valuable economic and employment boost to the country.
David Wayne PEARCE PSM
NSW Health
For outstanding public service in the mental health sector helping to improve mental health care and wellbeing across New South Wales.
The late Mr Pearce was a passionate advocate for mental health services, gaining a reputation for integrity, commitment, and humility across his 40 year career in the health sector. He was awarded Collaborative Health Leader of the Year at the 2014 New South Wales Health Awards in recognition of his achievements and the leadership qualities he brought to every role.
Mr Pearce’s early work to re-focus the current New South Wales Mental Health Act, contributed to the ongoing delivery of a whole of Government approach to mental health reform.
As Director, Mental Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), Mr Pearce implemented the internationally recognised Keeping the Body in Mind program, which reduces modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in young people with first episode psychosis. He also developed the Mental Health Recovery College, a first in New South Wales, to provide people with the knowledge to manage their own mental health conditions, allowing them to take control of their own lives, and improving their experience across mental health services.
In 2019, he was appointed Executive Director, Mental Health Branch, and over the past four years responded to the New South Wales bushfire and floods crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, all of which required an intense and sustained focus on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, particularly in regional areas. His expertise and evidence-based approach was essential in shaping the New South Wales Government recovery programs to make a real difference to the people impacted.
One of his most significant legacies is his role in the Towards Zero Suicides program in New South Wales, a Premier’s Priority, co-designed with people with a lived experience of suicide.
The late Mr Pearce’s commitment to ensuring New South Wales mental health services reflect the best available evidence, early intervention, and patient-centred care, which continues to inspire staff to constantly improve services, ultimately enhancing the mental health care and wellbeing in this State.
Elizabeth Ann STOCKELL PSM
Department of Customer Service
For outstanding public service in supporting the recovery of disaster affected communities in NSW.
Ms Stockell has led Service NSW teams delivering frontline and behind the scenes assistance to disaster-affected communities. Her leadership, dedication and empathy have been clearly evident in the way she has supported individuals and communities while also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of her team.
In particular, Ms Stockell has made an outstanding contribution following the unprecedented floods which caused such devastation in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales in February and March 2022.
She has been instrumental in establishing over 80 Recovery Centres, Business Hubs and Recovery Assistance points, assisting nearly 12,000 customers and businesses in person to apply for more than 24,000 grants for financial assistance.
Ms Stockell personally led her Service Delivery team of more than 400 staff from across Department of Customer Service divisions. The teams went into communities to assist flood-affected citizens as soon as the waters receded. This involved mobilising the Mobile Service Centre network to support affected customers and ensure that there was on the ground support as Disaster Recovery Centres were being established.
Within four months, Ms Stockell’s team had supported customers, including extremely vulnerable citizens, to submit over 24,000 grant applications. She and her team made significant improvements to processes and access for both customers and frontline staff, resulting in Service NSW being able to substantially improve outcomes.
As at July 2022, this activity had resulted in the approval of almost $7.5m in grants payments.
Ms Stockell has a unique ability to balance a high degree of empathy for people with an exceptional ability to deliver results. She consistently goes above and beyond to secure positive outcomes for customers. She works tirelessly to support them with a determination to serve that is the hallmark of a great public servant.
Meghanne WELLARD PSM
Department of Education
For outstanding public service in the recovery of the Department of Education’s Rural North community following the Northern Rivers flood crisis.
Mrs Wellard began teaching with the Department of Education in 1992 and has held leadership roles for over 15 years, including eight years as School Principal and currently Executive Director (Rural North), School Performance, where she is responsible for 260 schools across the rural northern New South Wales.
Throughout the Northern Rivers flood crisis, Mrs Wellard displayed an unwavering focus on student wellbeing in the context of community needs. At the peak of the emergency, more than 130 public schools within her region were forced to close. The flooding would prove catastrophic, with at least four fatalities in Lismore and more than 3,000 homes inundated.
As of 1 March 2022, only 18,000 of the region’s 50,000 school students were able to attend school. Despite her own home being under threat, Mrs Wellard worked tirelessly to ensure staff and students were quickly located and confirmed that safe, adequate spaces were sourced for students to continue schooling, and counselling and mental-health support were made available for those affected.
Her sensitive and empathetic approach was crucial in supporting her team as they navigated their own losses during the crisis. Her nuanced leadership empowered team members working on the recovery process and strengthened their ability to provide outstanding service across the Rural North.
Combining her own local knowledge with departmental learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Bushfires 2019-20 (Black Summer bushfires), Mrs Wellard led the Department’s initial flood response and continues to lead recovery efforts. Her leadership has provided hope, routine and safe spaces for children and communities that were devastated by the floods.
Mrs Wellard’s efforts to ensure the Department’s response to the crisis was swift, effective and delivered with care have endeared her to the community and further strengthened the regard in which she is held as a leader.
Matthew Patrick WEST PSM
NSW Public Service Commission
For outstanding public service as Administrative Assistant at the Public Service Commission.
Mr West has been the embodiment of an exemplary public servant throughout his time in the New South Wales public sector. He exudes energy and has an absolute commitment to customer service. He never fails to take pride in his work.
His intrinsic nature is one of being hard working and values driven. Mr West exceeds expectations by always putting his whole heart and effort into consistently delivering all aspects of his work.
His work as an Administrative Assistant in the People and Engagement team at the Public Service Commission (PSC) involves supporting all teams across the Agency with office support, administration and coordination needs. Always willing to jump in and drive those tasks that support the effective delivery of a program, event or project, the work he diligently takes on means the PSC’s world-class programs of work stay on track.
With the impact of COVID-19, Mr West was unable to continue his office support and turned his commitment to his community by volunteering at Addi Street Food Pantry on an almost full time basis. His contribution helped ensure food was being packed and making its way to people in need.
When the office reopened, Mr West was one of the first on the scene, pivoting his role to incorporate COVID-19 safety into his daily duties to make sure his colleagues returned to a safe and healthy workspace. He carries out hygiene and safety coordination duties with pride and commitment.
He is unassuming and does not seek out recognition.
Mr West goes about his work diligently, putting in the care to ensure that what he delivers meets his own exacting standards.
