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 Victorian Public Sector employees honoured by the Queen this year, including those receiving the Public Service Medal (PSM), were:
OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Marcia Lynne LANGTON AO
University of Melbourne
For distinguished service to tertiary education, and as an advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Professor Langton was Foundation Chair of the University’s Australian Indigenous Studies and has held the position since 2000.
Ingrid Margaret WINSHIP AO
University of Melbourne
For distinguished service to medicine, particularly to clinical genetics and research, to cancer prevention and as a role model and mentor.
Professor Winship has been Professorial Chair of Adult Clinical Genetics, at the Royal Melbourne Hospital since 2006.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Penelope Jane ARMYTAGE AM
Department of Justice
For significant service to public administration in Victoria and to the community.
Ms Armytage was Secretary of the Department from 2003 t0 2012
Katarzyna Magdalena DZIEGIELEWSKA AM
University of Melbourne
For significant service to tertiary education, to anatomy and neurobiology, and as a mentor.
Dr Dziegielewska has been Associate Professor of the University’s Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics since 2014 and Department Executive Committee Member since 2012.
William Stewart LOGAN AM
Deakin University
For significant service to tertiary education, and to cultural heritage research.
Professor Logan has been Emeritus Professor, Cultural Heritage, at the University’s Faculty of Arts and Education since 2013.
Jerril Samantha RECHTER AM
VicHealth
For significant service to community health, to sports administration and to the arts.
Ms Rechter was Chief Executive of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) from 2011 to 2019 and a Board Member between 2004 and 2011.
Justice Robert Frank REDLICH AM QC
Supreme Court of Victoria
For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, to professional groups, and to the community.
Justice Redlich was a Judge in the Court of Appeal from 2006 to 2017.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Hakan AKYOL PSM
Victorian Multicultural Commission
For outstanding public service to multicultural policy design and program delivery in Victoria.
Mr Akyol has throughout his public sector career led many important policy initiatives in multicultural affairs. These have included Victoria’s response to the settlement of refugees, funding reform for interpreter services and supporting interfaith and intercultural dialogue partnerships.
As a key adviser to successive governments he is often called upon to inform and support culturally appropriate responses to complex community issues in Victoria.
Mr Akyol’s commitment and dedication to the Victorian Public Service, and to the community, have been of the highest calibre.
Christina ASQUINI PSM
Health and Human Services
For outstanding public service to innovative policy design and service delivery in Victoria.
Ms Asquini has throughout her over 35 year career with the Victorian Public Service led countless service delivery reforms aimed at improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in the state.
She has demonstrated enduring leadership and worked tirelessly to ensure that children can live safer and more fulfilling lives with appropriate support and interventions, and that people with disability are empowered to exercise choice and control over their own lives.
Ms Asquini’s dedication and commitment to the Victorian Public Service, and to the community, have been of the highest calibre.
Graeme John EMONSON AM
Local Government Victoria
For outstanding public service to local government in Victoria.
Dr Emonson has made a significant contribution to rural, regional and metropolitan communities throughout Victoria.
His knowledge and advocacy has seen major reform and transformation take place across the local government sector, including the Rural Councils Transformation Program, and the recently passed Local Government Act 2020.
His exemplary leadership has been recognised by his peers with his election to a number of peak bodies, including being admitted as a Fellow of Local Government Professionals.
Dr Emonson’s dedication and commitment to the Victorian Public Service, and to the community, have been of the highest calibre.
Moira FINDLAY PSM
Education and Training
For outstanding public service to education in Victoria.
Ms Findlay has, throughout her 45 year career, championed the role of education as a means to improve the life outcomes and choices for children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
In her various roles as a teacher, principal and community leader, she has had a positive impact on the lives of countless students, their families and their communities.
She is passionate about providing support and opportunities for teachers, particularly to women, and has worked tirelessly to mentor and develop educators for leadership positions in schools.
Ms Findlay’s dedication and commitment to the public education sector in Victoria, and to the community, have been of the highest calibre.
Dallas John REILLY AM
Victoria Police
For outstanding public service to policy and program delivery in support of community safety in Victoria.
Mr Reilly has successfully led the Victoria Police Information and Communication Technologies modernisation and Business Transformation Program.
He was instrumental in initiating and executing the complex, politically sensitive, and vitally important capability uplift. This work has enhanced the reputation of Victoria Police in delivering systems that address serious crime, improved ways of working for front-line members, and helped create a safer community for all Victorians.
Mr Reilly’s dedication and commitment to Victoria Police through public service roles, and to the community, have been of the highest calibre.
