The dedication, commitment and talents of present and past members of the public sector in the ACT were recognised by her majesty the Queen on Australia Day last week with a range of awards in her Australia Day Honours list.
Announced by the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove, awards presented to public sector staff ranged from the highest honour – Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) – to the highly prized Public Service Medal (PSM).
Among the staff and others to be recognised with awards under the Order of Australia program for 2019 were:
COMPANION IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AC)
Emeritus Professor Patrick Nicol TROY AO AC
Late of the Australian National University
For eminent service to urban and regional planning, to environmental sustainability and social justice policy, and as a mentor and role model.
Professor Troy was a Visiting Fellow at the ANU’s Fenner School of Environment and Society from 2010 to 2018.
OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Gary John HUMPHRIES AO
Former Chief Minister of the ACT
For distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, and to the Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Territory.
Mr Humphries was ACT Chief Minister from 2000 to 2001 and Senator for the ACT from 2003 to 2013.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Dr Wilfred Louis ARMAREGO AM
Australian National University
For significant service to biochemistry and molecular biology.
Dr Armarego has been a Visiting fellow at the ANU’s John Curtin School of Medical Research since 1997.
Dr Alison Elizabeth BROINOWSKI AM
Australian National University
For significant service to international relations as an academic, author, and diplomat.
Dr Broinowski is a former diplomat who is a Visiting Fellow at the ANU’s Coral Bell School of Asia and the Pacific Affairs
Professor John Vance LANGMORE AM
University of Melbourne
For significant service to the Parliament of Australia, to international
relations and governance, and to education.
Professor Langmore was a former Member of Parliament for the ACT seat of Fraser
Alexandra Mary SLOAN AM
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For significant service to the community of Canberra, and to the broadcast media as a radio presenter.
Ms Sloane was a broadcaster with the ABC from 1989 to 2016.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Glynis Helen STEWARD PSM
Education Directorate
For outstanding public service to education in the Australian Capital Territory.
Ms Steward has been teaching for more than 40 years, has been certified as a Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) and is one of only 154 Lead Teachers certified to practise at the highest level.
In her role as impact coach she leads the teacher teams of years 3/4 as well as 5/6 at Evatt Primary School to collaboratively improve their practice with regard to data collection, interpretation and subsequent pedagogy.
She continues as a classroom teacher at Evatt Primary School as this is where she has the biggest impact on her students. She lives and breathes the idea that education is not merely about numbers and school results, but about every child, every day, in every classroom.
Ms Steward’s positive and constructive mindset is inspiring and contagious and she is passionate about education and sharing her skills to the benefit of children in the Australian Capital Territory.
Meredith Lily WHITTEN PSM
Community Services Directorate
For outstanding public service to organisational integrity and capability in the disability sector in the Australian Capital Territory.
Ms Whitten has had a distinguished public service career spanning over 30 years driving reforms in areas including child protection and disability. Her experience in policy development and program delivery have been crucial in executing key government policies to improve the lives of vulnerable people.
From 2013 to 2016 Ms Whitten led the transition of Disability ACT and Therapy ACT clients and staff into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) taking the ACT to be the first whole of jurisdiction site to roll out the NDIS trial which involved the transition of 5,000 eligible people from existing disability and therapy services provided and funded by the ACT Government into the NDIS.
It also involved the transition of 300 staff as the ACT Government phased out direct service delivery.
Dr Loretta Maria ZAMPROGNO PSM
ACT Government Solicitor’s Office
For outstanding public service to the law, and to legal education, in the Australian Capital Territory.
Dr Zamprogno was the first female Deputy Chief Solicitor of the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office specialising in procurement, contracting, commercial and property law matters, and acting for Australian Capital Territory Government clients.
She has been a probity adviser on most major ACT projects and was an inaugural member of the ACT Government Procurement Board. In 2002 she was a recipient of the inaugural ACT Commissioner for Public Administration Award for outstanding legal advice and services to the ACT Government and its agencies.
Dr Zamprogno has authored numerous articles and presentations to ACT Government agencies as well as publishing articles and given presentations to organisations outside the ACT Government.
Throughout her legal career, Dr Zamprogno has actively contributed to and worked on several ACT Law Society Committees. She has provided committed and dedicated public service to the community of the ACT over many years.
AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Gregory Francis HARMEY AFSM
Mr Harmey joined the then Australian Capital Territory Fire Brigade in 1987 and served as a firefighter at a number of fire stations before being promoted to the rank of Station Officer in 2005.
In 2009 he took on a role with a change management project that ACT Fire and Rescue was undertaking that sought to modernise the career, educational and promotional pathways within the service.
In 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Commander and held numerous operational roles before transferring to his current position managing the ACT Fire and Rescue human resources portfolio. He is also recognised for his work providing support for injured firefighters.
Mr Harmey has demonstrated significant leadership and dedication to the ACT community throughout his more than 30 year career.
