Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has marked her 2020 Birthday by bestowing official honours on a range of dedicated and committed public service professionals serving the Australian community over and above the requirements of their positions in the public sector.
Her Majesty’s awards, presented under the Order of Australia, were released in Canberra by the Governor-General, General David Hurley earlier this week.
The Queensland Public Service employees honoured by the Queen this year, including those receiving the Public Service Medal (PSM), were:
OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Colin James LIMPUS AO
Department of Environment and Science
For distinguished service to environmental science, particularly to the conservation of sea turtles, and as a mentor of young scientists.
Dr Limpus is Chief Scientific Officer in the Department of Environment and Science’s Threatened Species Unit.
MEMBER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Justice Peter David APPLEGARTH AM
Supreme Court of Queensland
For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, and to social justice.
Justice Applegarth has been a Judge in the Supreme Court’s Trial Division since 2008.
John Richard BREW AM
State Rail Authority of NSW
For significant service to the rail transport and logistics industry, and to education.
Mr Brew was Chief Executive Officer of the State Rail Authority of NSW from1992 to 1995.
John William LONGWORTH AM
University of Queensland
For significant service to tertiary education, and to the agricultural sciences.
Emeritus Professor Longworth has been a professor at the University since 2001.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Desmond Allen HOWARD PSM
Local Government
For outstanding public service to local government in Queensland.
Mr Howard has a long and respected history working in the public service, particularly in small remote councils across Queensland. He has progressed various initiatives including critical infrastructure upgrades, successful pest and weed management programs, disaster response and recovery activities and much needed community development programs. Most notably he led and managed the integration of the newly amalgamated Barcaldine Regional Council.
These outcomes are testament to his work ethic, his ability to put ideas into action, and his drive to put the community first. He has consistently delivered over and above what is reasonably expected of a council chief executive, and through his active participation in many regional bodies and collaborative arrangements, his influence has resulted in positive outcomes across multiple council boundaries.
In areas of the state where it is difficult to recruit and retain professional staff, his leadership and mentoring approach has been outstanding as has his commitment to empowering his team and developing their potential.
Mr Howard is a true advocate and tireless worker for the development of regional and remote Queensland.
Rachel HUNTER PSM
Various
For outstanding public service to the community of Queensland through a range of roles.
Mrs Hunter has been committed to delivering excellent services for the public, innovation and strong leadership over a career of 35 years in the Queensland public service.
During this time she has always put the needs of the public first, and ensured her department was best placed to deliver the services, infrastructure and opportunities the community required. Her collaborative, methodical and sensible approach inspired leadership teams and attracted staff support to get things done.
In leading The Hunter Review in 2015 she consulted widely to identify improvements to the governance, structure and capability of Queensland Health. The implementation of these recommendations improved the delivery of healthcare services across the state.
In the Department of Education, Training and the Arts she led the establishment and direction of the largest department in Queensland and oversaw innovations including the ‘State Schools of Tomorrow’ project for disadvantaged communities and also the development of the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
She is highly regarded at all levels of the public service and is consistently recognised for her commitment to people, personal integrity, fairness and outcomes focused leadership. She has continually delivered services and programs to improve the lives, circumstances, health and education of Queenslanders.
Mrs Hunter is unique in having worked in executive positions across the economic, justice, education and health sectors.
Michael John WALSH PSM
Queensland Health
For outstanding public service to the health sector in Queensland.
Mr Walsh was Director-General of Queensland Health from 2015 until 2019.
During his tenure he oversaw the roll-out of the $1.26 billion, 20-year health ICT strategy which included the implementation of the digital hospital version of Cerner’s Millennium EMR in over 20 hospitals.
He previously served as the Chair of the Australian Health Ministers Advisory Council and on the board of the Australian Digital Health Agency. Throughout his time in Queensland Health he always put health workers and patients first. He was instrumental in rebuilding frontline services, hiring doctors, nurses and paramedics and planning a massive hospital building program.
Mr Walsh’s commitment and dedication to the health sector in Queensland, and to the community, have been exemplary.
Zijian ZHANG PSM
Trade and Investment
For outstanding public service to the trade and investment sector in Queensland.
Mr Zhang served in the vital role as Queensland’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for China from 2001 until in 2019.
He worked for the Queensland Government for more than 28 years and, prior to this, he worked for the Chinese Government and held internationally oriented positions in the Australian private sector.
He made a significant contribution to the Queensland-China relationship providing outstanding leadership in a constantly evolving market.
Mr Zhang was responsible for many projects and programs promoting business relations between Queensland and China with significant outcomes achieved due to his deep understanding of markets and high level connections with both public and private sectors.
