Local honours recipients
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Mr Michael John Bate, Belrose
For significant service to surf lifesaving, and to business.
Surf Life Saving Australia
- Member, Australian Youth Championships Competition Committee, since 2019.
- Member, Australian Championships Organising Committee, since 2019.
- Deputy Referee, Australian Youth Championships, 2019-2021.
- Team Manager, National High-Performance Programme, 2009-2014.
- Facilitator, National President's Forum Gold Coast, 2001.
- Facilitator, National President's Forum, 2000.
- Life Member, since 2021.
- President's Medal, 2012.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
- Competition Official, since 2003.
- Championship Deputy Referee, 2018-2021.
- Interbranch Championship Referee, 2019.
- Board Member, 2010-2016.
- Chair, Selection Committee, 2010-2016.
- Director of Surf Sports, 2010-2016.
- Member, Building Committee, 2010-2016.
- Member, Announcing Panel, 1987-1988, and 1998-2012.
- Competition Advisor, 2001-2004.
- Member, Awards of Excellence Committee, 2001-2003.
- State Champion Key Announcer, 1979-1987.
- Life Member, since 2012.
Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club
- President, since 2021.
- Senior Surf Sports Director, 2003-2005.
- Junior Chief Instructor, 1998-2004.
- Junior Club Chairman, 1999-2001.
- Junior Club Delegate, 1999-2001.
- Patrolling Member, 1995-2002.
- Junior Age Manager, 1995-1997.
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches
- Life Member, 2008.
- Chair, Branch Team Selection Committee, 2004-2009.
- Director, Board of Sports, 2004-2009.
- Member, Branch Executive Committee, 2004-2009.
- Member, Branch Building Committee, 2004-2009.
- Assistant Director, Board of Sports, 2003-2004.
- Board of Examiners, 1997-2006.
- Distinguished Service Award, 2006.
Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club
- President, 1982-1987.
- Secretary, 1977-1982.
- Chairman, Building Committee, 1979-1983.
- Branch Delegate, 1976-1982.
- Active Patrolling Member, 1973-1987.
- Life Member, since 1982.
- Member, since 1972.
Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club
- Patrolling Member, 1988-1990.
- Junior Age Manager, 1989-1992.
International
- Official, Life Saving World Championships, 2006, and 2014.
- Team Manager, Trans-Tasman Cup, New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships, 2014.
- Australian Team Manager, German Cup International Pool Rescue Championships, 2011-2013.
- Team Manager Sanyo Cup Japan, 2010-2012.
Surf Life Saving other
- Various Positions, Board of Surf Sports, 1997-2008.
- Volunteer Surf Life Saver, Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club, 1968-1971.
Colliers International
- National Director, Retail Advisory, since 2022.
- National Director, Head of Retail, since 2011.
Professional
- National Business Manager, Stockland Trust, 2001-2011.
- General Manager, Lend Lease, 1994-1999.
- Former National Director, Jones Lang Wootton
Michael began his surf life saving journey at Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club in the Illawarra in 1972 but has a connection to the Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club and a fierce loyalty to both Surf Life Saving and the community therein, he gained his Bronze Medallion in 1972. At Fairy Meadow he was President from 1982 to 1986 and Secretary from 1977 to 1982, he was then made Life Member in October 1982.
Moving on to the Illawarra Branch he held a number of positions from 1978 to 1987 including Branch President.
Due to business Michael moved to Western Australia and joined Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club where he held a number of positions within the Club from 1989 to 1994.
Michael then moved back to Sydney and joined Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club and within nippers he held various positions from 1995 to 2005. Michael joined the Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches Board of Examiners – now called Board of Surf Sports in 1997 and went through to 2008. He was the Director of Surf Sports for Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches for 3 years. Michael was granted the Distinguished Service Award for Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches in 2006 for his special service to Club, Branch, State and Australian bodies over many years.
Michael joined Surf Life Saving New South Wales as a Board member in 2010. As a member of the Surf Life Saving New South Wales Executive Board, he was integrally involved in the purchase of the new Headquarters and played a significant role in the successful establishment of a long-term future fund to help protect Surf Life Saving New South Wales from financial stress.
Michael is a distinguished Referee who is respected by organisers, officials, and competitors. He has led teams in the international competition arena and was highly regarded by team members, international officials as well as opposing teams. Michael has been part of almost every sports discipline in our movement and has been an Official since 1978, he commented “Although I wasn’t great at any one discipline in surf sports, I was described by someone at my Club as a good sport instead of good at sport. I filled in everywhere but never got in a surf boat.”
In 2021 Michael was honoured with Surf Life Saving Australia Life Membership. He has been involved with the organisation for over 50 years noting “Surf Life Saving has given me and my family a lot of enjoyment so for me it’s about giving back to a sport that’s given me so much in my life.”
“Most important for me, however, is the friendships,” Michael said.
“You never go striving for accolades, and while I am humbled by the award (SLSA Life Membership) and the various achievements I have been a part of, it’s the lifetime friends that I started with and still catch up with that make it worthwhile.
“Surf has been very good to me, my wife and my five kids, we went through it together, and we’ve all become better people.
“The longer you’re involved, the more it means.”
Michael was awarded SNB Life Membership in 2008. Biography by SLS SNB Branch.
Michael Bate. Photo: Freshwater SLSC
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
The Honourable Peter Meldrum Biscoe KC, NSW
For significant service to the judiciary, to the law, and to local planning.
Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
- Judge, 2006-2016.
- Chair, Education Committee, seven years.
- Member, Rules Committee, 10 years.
- Court Representative, Standing Advisory Committee on Judicial Education, Judicial Commission of New South Wales, seven years.
- Court Representative, Working Party on Civil Procedure, NSW Attorney General's Department, four years.
- Court Representative, Governance Committee, NSW Case Law, two years.
Legal Roles - Other
- • Acting Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 2006-2010.
- • Former Consultant, Harmonisation Committee, Council of Chief Justices of Australia and New Zealand.
- • King's Counsel (formerly Queen's Council), since 1991.
- • Barrister, Eleventh Floor Wentworth Chambers, 1976-2006.
- • Solicitor, Freehill Hollingdale and Page, 1974-1976.
New South Wales Bar Association
- Former Council Member.
Counsel's Chambers Limited
- Chair 2005
- Former Board Member, eight years.
Author
- Freezing and Search Orders, LexisNexis, Three Editions, LexisNexis, 2005, 2008 and 2023.
- Law and Practice of Credit Factoring, Butterworths, 1975.
Northern Beaches Council
- Chair, Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel, 2017-2024
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Mr Richard Lawrence Penn
For significant service to the community through charitable initiatives.
The Penn Foundation
- Founder, 2005.
- Supporter, a range of charities including:
- Maluk Timor;
- Opera Australia;
- Museum of Contemporary Art;
- National Institute of Dramatic Art;
- NSW Stoma Limited;
- Sir David Martin Foundation;
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance;
- MS Australia; and
- World Vision Australia.
Bowel Cancer Australia
- Patron, since 2006.
- Former Chair.
- Benefactor, through the Penn Foundation, current.
Charitable
- Patron, Outcomes Australia, current.
- Patron, ShareLife, Australia, current.
- Board Member, Save The Children, 1994-1999.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, National Rugby League
- Owner (Penn Family), since 2014.
- Co-Owner (Penn Family), 2006-2014.
Weight Loss Industry
- Former Director, Weight Watchers Dot Com.
- Former Director, Weight Watchers International.
- Managing Director, Weight Watchers Australia, 1984-1999.
- Inaugural President, International Weight Watchers Franchisee Association, 1993-1995.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Ms Teresa Plane, Narrabeen
For significant service to palliative care, and to the arts.
Palliative Care
- Co-Founder, Chapel Hill Retreat, 1994.
- Founder, Macquarie Hospice, 1984.
- Founder, Outstretched Hand Foundation, 1980.
- Founder and Director of Nursing, Mt Carmel Hospital, since 1962.
Memberships
- Ambassador, Push for Palliative.
- Life Member, National Association for Loss and Grief, since 1988.
- Committee Member, NSW Palliative Care Association, since c1981.
Performance Arts
- Radio Presenter, 2RPH, since 2016.
- Actor and Playwright, Short + Sweet, 2016.
Academia
- Guest Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University.
- Lecturer, Charles Sturt University.
- Honorary Doctor of Letters, Western Sydney University, 2023.
Awards and Recognition include:
- NSW Senior Australian of the Year, 2023.
2023: Former nurse Teresa Plane is recognised as a pioneer of modern palliative care in Australia.
Her devotion began late one night during a drive home from hospital as she listened to a life-changing interview with psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. As she heard her discuss the five stages of dying, Teresa realised she’d always been a death-denying nurse.
She was inspired to study palliative care methods overseas before opening a hospice and palliative care unit at Mt Carmel Hospital in western Sydney in 1978.
Teresa admitted patients on a needs basis rather than their ability to pay. She also launched a home care program, supported by a charity she’d established to advocate on behalf of the dying.
She later established Macquarie Hospice, a home care and day care centre and spoke many times at international forums, universities and national conferences.
Now aged 89, Teresa continues advocating and volunteering as she approaches 90 years.
Photo; Teresa Plane in 2023 © credit NADC/Salty Dingo
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Mr Andrew Douglas Warden, Edgecliff and Coasters Retreat, Pittwater
For significant service to cancer health and research, and to the community.
WMozzies
- Team Leader, 2013-2020.
- Member, since 2007.
International Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF)
- Co-presenter, IWMF Education Forum United States of America, 2018.
- Former International IWMF Lifeline, Australian Representative.
- Newsletter Contributor, current.
- Recipient, Judith May Volunteer Award, United States of America, 2019.
WM COVID-19 Vaccination Study, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Kirby Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
- Former Research Team Member.
- Former Associate Investigator.
WhiMSICAL Cart-Wheel
- Co-Founder, WhiMSICAL Cart-Wheel International Patient Database.
- Investigator, Global Research Study, since 2016.
- Volunteer, current.
Leukaemia Foundation
- Member, Patient Review Panel, National Strategic Action Plan for Blood Cancer, 2020-2021.
- Volunteer, Patient Education, current.
- Former Participant, Webinar Panels.
- Advocate and Fundraiser, current.
Lymphoma Australia
- Fundraiser, current.
- Benefactor, current.
- Volunteer, current.
Rare Cancers Australia
- Advisor, current.
- Advocate, current.
- Volunteer, current.
Janssen Australia
- Advocate, current.
- Participant, Janssen’s “Faces and Stories”, 2016.
Cancer Institute NSW
- Member, Community and Consumer Advisory Panel, current.
- Volunteer, current.
Health - Other
- Co-Author/Contributor, numerous Publications and articles in National and International Medical
Journals, since 2019.
- Submission, Senate Community Affairs References Committee for Inquiry and Report on Availability of New, Innovative and Specialist Cancer Drugs in Australia, 2015.
- Submission, Parliamentary Inquiry into Approval Processes for New Drugs and Novel Medical Technologies in Australia, 2020.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Coasters Retreat
- Training Officer, since 2008.
- Administration Support, current.
- New South Wales Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation, 2021.
- Former Deputy Captain and Secretary.
- Member, since 2007.
Andrew has been living with Waldenström’s macroglobulanaemia [WM] since his diagnosis in 2003, and played a key role in setting up the WhiMSICAL registry. He was awarded the Judith May Volunteer Award by the International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF) in Philadelphia in June 2019.
An insight into some of his works outside of being a member of Coasters Retreat RFS since 2007, is his commitment to share awareness, as instanced in this report run by the Leukaemia Foundation in November 2020:
“COVID’s been good to me and quite a few other patients”, says Andrew Warden, who volunteered to be a “guinea pig” on a program initiated by Professor Judith Trotman.
It was for a new treatment procedure, subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg), which can be self-administered at home on a weekly basis, thereby replacing the previous intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) method which involved going to a cancer centre every four weeks.
Andrew was among the first of a group of around 20 patients at Concord Repatriation General Hospital who, when asked if they would like to self-inject at home, agreed. After a couple of training sessions, he made the change to SCIg back in June.
That means Andrew, who has Waldenström’s macroglobulanaemia (WM) and lives at Coasters Retreat, which has no road or land access, saves hours of travel time and this results in superior social distancing.
“For me, it saves three hours for each treatment. Return travel time for me from Coasters Retreat to Concord involves 2½ hours in my car and ½ hour in my boat,” said Andrew.
“Concord Cancer Centre gave me practical training in SCIg in three weekly sessions at the centre. This has now been streamlined to two training sessions at the centre, with the third session being held virtually at home.
“This results in superior social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic but also saves the travel time to and from the clinic typically every four weeks,” he said.
“I self-inject at home, which saves travelling for three hours and going into a risky hospital environment. It’s been a winner,” said Andrew.
According to data from the WhiMSICAL Registry survey, 14% of WM patients receive IVIG treatment. Prof. Trotman said the subcutaneous immunoglobulin program had been very successful for patients with reduced antibody production who need immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
“Dozens of our patients at Concord now can self-administer or their carer can administer the immunoglobulin to them at home.
“The patients don’t have to come into hospital, which is convenient and particularly relevant to patients who live far away, and for patients when they don’t want to be coming into ambulatory care settings,” said Prof. Trotman.
Photo: Professor Judith Trotman helped train Andrew Warden to give himself subcutaneous immunoglobulin which has now replaced his previous monthly intravenous immunoglobulin that was administered in a hospital setting
That's Andrew at the front of this MRNSWBB vessel (red eye-protectors) during a multi-agency training exercise on Pittwater. See: See: Pittwater Rural Fire Brigades Bush, Boats and Boatsheds Training Exercise + St Florian's Day 2016
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Mr Robert (Bob) George Connors, Belrose
For service to lawn bowls.
Forestville Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia
- Director, 1985-1987, 2006-2007.
- President, Former Vice president, Social Secretary and Member, Life Member (2014), Angling and Boating Section, since 1990.
- Foundation Member, Former Secretary and President, Life Member (1994), Flying Bowlers Section, since 1977.
- Travel Officer, since 2022, and Assistant Travel Officer, since 1980.
- Organiser, Inter-Club Competitions, c1970-1980.
- Foundation President, Card Section, 1975-1980.
- Social Secretary, Snooker Section, 1972-1980.
- Member, Darts Section. 1976-1980.
- Sportsman of the Year, 1986.
- Certificate of Appreciation, 2001.
Legacy
- Fundraiser, 2017-2020.
Forestville Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia Men's Bowls Club
- Senior Vice President, 2014-2023.
- President 2010-2014.
- Bowls Secretary, c1979-2014, and 2017-2021.
- Life Member, 1984.
New South Wales Returned and Services League of Australia Lawn Bowls Association
- State Vice President Metro, since 2017.
- Member, since 1980.
- Merit Award, 1975.
Northern Beaches Zone 4 RSL Bowls
- President, since 2014.
- Former Vice President, Bowls Secretary.
- Forestville RSL Bowls Delegate, since c1982.
- Meritorious Award, 2020.
- Former Representative, Fours Championship Winner (x2), Triples Championship Winner (x5), Pairs Championship Winner (x3).
Sporting Achievements
- New South Wales Representative, 1999.
- Singles Champion winner, NSW Northern District Association, 1998.
- Singles Champion winner, NSW Zone 9 Association 1998.
- Major Singles Winner Club Awards, NSW Zone 9 Association (x3).
- Minor Singles Winner Club Award, NSW Zone 9 Association (x1).
- Major Fours Championship Club Awards, NSW Zone 9 Association (x10).
- Major Triples Championship Club Awards, NSW Zone 9 Association, (x8).
- Major Pairs Championship Club Awards, NSW Zone 9 Association (x6).
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Mr Dean Charles Gardiner, Wheeler Heights
For service to ocean sports, and to the community.
Ocean Paddling
- Founder and Managing Director, Oceanpaddler Pty Ltd, since 1993.
- Founder and Director, Australian Ocean Racing Series, since 2002.
- Founder and Race Director, The Doctor - Rottnest Island to Sorrento Perth, since 2001.
- Nine times winner, Molokai Challenge, Hawaii, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002.
- Champion, World Oceanpaddling, 2004.
Community
- Fundraising, Fragile X Association of Australia, since 2014.
- Surf Ski Coach, North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club, current.
- Former Member, Manly Life Saving Club.
- Former Member, City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club.
Fire and Rescue NSW
- Senior Firefighter, Forestville Fire Station, current.
- Firefighter, since 2001.
Awards and Recognition include:
- Inductee, Paddle WA Hall of Fame, 2024.
- Services to Paddling Award, Paddle Australia, 2023.
- Joe Glickman Award, The Paddler, 2021.
Oceanpaddler provides this insight on its founder Dean Gardiner. Dean is regarded by his peers as the best Australian downwind paddler of our time, his reputation founded on countless victories internationally at the world-renowned Molokai Challenge, at the ICF World Cup, world regattas and countless races in Australia. A nine-time Molokai World Champion, Dean’s first Molokai was in 1989, and since then he has raced almost every one of the 53 km Hawaiian enduros. The most revered ocean ski race in the world, paddlers are faced with an ocean crossing, traversing the Kaiwi Channel from Molokai island to Oahu. So dominant was Dean, that the race record that was set in 1994 – and he bettered in 1998 – held strong for 24 years, only broken in 2018 by his good friend and fellow Fenn paddler, Cory Hill.
Perth born and bred, Dean was the founder of the iconic 'Freemantle Doctor' race, a 27 km downwind race from Rottnest Island to Perth. He staged his first Doctor in 2001, won it in 2022, and has built it over the last two decades to the legendary event it is today.
In 2002, Dean introduced ocean paddling to Australia through the introduction of Fenn skis to our shores, and the development of the first ocean racing series. Two decades of hard work and financial risk by Dean, has seen the sport flourish in Australia and now Oceanpaddler organises the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series, a 16-race championship across five Australian states.
Dean’s a pioneer of ocean ski racing, and along with a handful of passionate paddlers from around the globe, is largely responsible for the popularity of the sport today.
Dean is very proud of the status of ocean ski racing today, and Oceanpaddler’s exciting 16-race, five state Shaw and Partner National Series that attracts hordes of enthusiastic paddlers, most racing ocean skis.
“We get 500 paddlers plus at events. I love that everyone is so passionate about the sport, but why wouldn’t they be? It’s a sport where they can race from a teen through to a veteran. It’s a sport for life, is great for your core, great for your aerobic fitness, and kind to your knees, and importantly has a camaraderie and community like no other,” Mr. Gardiner says
Dean in 2019. Photo: Oceanpaddler
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Mrs Kim Elizabeth Mukuka, Belrose
For service to the community through charitable organisations.
Zambia's Child
- Vice President of Operations, since 2007.
- Project Manager, 2012-2020.
- Founding Member, 2007.
Yanginanook School
- Finance and Operations Manager, since 2021.
- Teacher, since 2021.
Education - Other
- Online Tutor, Cluey Learning, 2021-2022.
- Christian Studies Teacher, Shore, 2021.
- Teacher, Killara Public School, 2020.
- Teacher, Deniliquin Christian School, 2004-2007.
- Teacher, Wellington Christian School, 2000-2001.
Charitable - Other
- Open Doors to China, 2005.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Mr Ray Vincent Petersen, Manly
For service to surf lifesaving.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
- Chair, History Panel, 2020-2024.
- Member, History Panel, since 2000.
- Life Member, 2017.
- Level-3 Accredited Surf Coach.
Surf Life Saving - Sydney Northern Beaches
- Member, History Panel, current.
- Member, Board of Examiners, since 1970s.
- Competition Official, 1970-1981.
- State Team Representative, 1991.
- Life Member, 2009.
Manly Surf Life Saving Club
- Patrol Captain, eight years.
- Club Vice-Captain, three years.
- Club Instructor, 15 years.
- Swim and R&R Coach, 35 years.
- Gear Steward, three years.
- Assistant Carnival Organiser, nine years.
- Member, Life Saving Committee, three years.
- Member, Judiciary Committee, 11 years.
- Member, Executive Committee, two years.
- Member, Honours Committee, eight years.
- Education Officer, three years.
- Cadet Supervisor, three years.
- Club Delegate, nine years.
- Club Registrar, 20 years.
- Historian/Heritage Trustee, 20 years.
- Club Coach, 20 years.
- Superintendent, three years.
- Vice-President, eight years.
- Life Member, 2000.
- Member, since 1970.
Other
- Member, History Panel, Surf Life Saving Australia, 1996-2000.
- Army Reservist, six years, 1960s.
- Awards and Recognition include: Australian Sports Medal, 2000.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
Mr Juris Turmanis, Elanora Heights
For service to the Latvian community, and to sporting and charitable organisations.
Sydney Branch, The Lords' Taverners Australia
- Funds Coordinator, current.
- Committee Member, since 2002.
Cricket
- Member, NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, since 1998.
- Member, Sydney Shires Cricket Umpires Association.
- Member, Manly Warringah Cricket Association.
- Coach, Junior League, 1989-1996.
- President, Cricket Section, Narrabeen Sports Club, over five years.
Sport
- Ground Life Member, Warringah Rugby Club, current.
- Member, Sydney Rowing Club, current.
- Member, Bayview Golf Club, current.
Fraternitas Cursica
- President, current.
- Member, since 1962.
Community and Other
- Church Warden, Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sydney, since 2008.
- Member, Sydney Latvian Men's Choir, current.
- Volunteer Driver, Easy Transport Manly Warringah/Pittwater, current.
- Member, City Tattersalls Club, current.
- Member, Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces, current.
- Member, National Trust, current.
- Volunteer, Sydney Olympic Games, 2000.
- President, 1st Elanora Heights Scouts, c1970s.
Qantas Airways
- Flight Service Director, until 2002.
- Flight Steward, 1966-2002.
- Past Supporter and Fundraiser, Pathfinders and Lady Pathfinders charities.
- Volunteer, Charter Troop Transport Flights to Vietnam, Skippy Squadron, 1970-1972.
Flight Stewards' Association of Australia
- Union Committee Member, over seven years.
- Former Acting Secretary.
Qantas Flight Stewards Cricket Club
- President, until 2002.
- Secretary, and Founding Member, 1973.
Awards and Recognition include:
- Vietnam Logistics and Support Medal.
- Australian Active Service Medal, 1945-1975.
Photo: courtesy Latvian evangelical Lutheran Church in Sydney
Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)
Mr Michael Charles Richer, Frenchs Forest
For distinguished service as a member of an Australian ambulance service.
Mr Michael Richer joined NSW Ambulance in February 1998. In the last 27 years he has served in a range of frontline and operational roles within metropolitan sectors including intensive care paramedic, station officer, duty operations manager and educator within NSW Ambulance and universities. He has also undertaken associate director and acting director roles in clinical operations, control centres and clinical education. As well as being an intensive care paramedic, Mr Richer is also currently the associate director of Clinical Education based at the NSW Ambulance State Operations Centre (SOC).
Mr Richer has led clinical education through a period of significant change and reform. Illustrated by his role in the modernisation of clinical education at the NSW Ambulance SOC, implementing new training facilities and the expansion of clinical simulation befitting of a modern adult learning environment reflective of community expectations of frontline clinicians.
Through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic Mr Richer was responsible for adapting and maintaining delivery of clinical education whilst keeping staff safe during a rapidly evolving public health emergency. He met the challenge of consistently developing and implementing strategic and tactical responses to the many and varied challenges which arose. He was pivotal in the design and implementation of the post-employment tertiary pathway program and facilitated the increase in paramedic specialists and specialist courses across the state during the pandemic. Mr Richer was a key player in developing and implementing this sustained high-volume onboarding strategy for hundreds of additional clinical staff delivered through the Strategic Workforce Infrastructure Team program.
Mr Richer has demonstrated distinguished service throughout his NSW Ambulance career, in a range of operational roles, nurturing future generations of frontline clinicians through his commitment to clinical education. He has aided in the protection of the community through leading NSW Ambulance education clinical response to a range of complex incidents, at times involving significant personal sacrifice or risk to himself.
NSW Ambulance - 130 years of serving communities in 2025
NSW Ambulance: DUCKING OUT: This very clever mother duck must have known paramedics have big hearts when she recently took up residence at Narrabeen ambulance station, with her 10 little charges in tow. Our crews have been setting up water baths for the ducklings and regularly ensuring the group can cross busy Pittwater Road safely. Thanks to Grace Jung for this photo of paramedic Megan keeping traffic at bay for this much loved little family. - January 2023
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Commissioner Alexander Paul Barrell, NSW
For distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
Commissioner Alexander Paul Barrell has dedicated over 30 years to frontline emergency services, specialising in maritime safety, rescue operations, and emergency management. His career began with Surf Life Saving NSW, joining North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club at age five. Over 40 years, he developed expertise in rescue operations, serving as both a volunteer and professional lifesaver in Australia and the United Kingdom.
In 1994, Commissioner Barrell joined the NSW Police Force, where he served for 24 years in specialist marine search and rescue roles. As a police diver from 1997 to 2002, he performed high-risk rescue and recovery operations. As a water police officer from 2002 in Eden and Sydney he undertook numerous rescue operations including complex rescue missions in Bass Strait. As the senior sergeant and acting inspector from 2010 to 2018 with the Marine Area Command, he led complex maritime search and rescue missions in high-risk environments.
Transitioning to Transport for NSW Maritime from 2018 to 2020, Commissioner Barrell served as the general manager of Operations & Compliance and as the acting executive director. During the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, he played a frontline role in emergency response, navigating vessels into fire-affected areas for evacuations and supply transport. He also led responses to maritime environmental incidents, including the 2020 APL England container spill, which significantly impacted the NSW Coastline.
Since 2020, Commissioner Barrell has been instrumental in the leadership of Marine Rescue NSW (MRNSW). As a deputy commissioner from 2020 to 2023, he helped modernise the fleet, led flood response efforts, and coordinated MRNSW’s COVID-19 vaccination support. In 2023, he was appointed as the commissioner, overseeing MRNSW’s strategic direction. Also in 2023, Commissioner Barrell was appointed, as the only Australian representative, as a board trustee of the International Maritime Rescue Federation, a reflection of his extensive expertise and contribution to maritime search and rescue, emergency management and volunteer coordination.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell. Photo: MRNSW
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Mr Douglas Scott Lucas, Narrabeen
For distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
Mr Douglas Lucas has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in the emergency management space over many decades and continues to be a frontline responder and leader. An integral member and current captain of Surf Rescue 30 (SR30), the Offshore Rescue Boat within Surf Life Saving Sydney Branch, he spearheaded commercial coxswain qualification training for group members and ensures safety is always prioritised.
Mr Lucas has responded to many major maritime rescues, searches and recoveries in challenging conditions including skippering SR30 to an overturned vessel near Little Bay, rescuing two Korean nationals clinging to the submerged boat. Despite language barriers and challenging surf conditions, individuals were retrieved ensuring their safety amidst rough waters and panic during the rescue operation. Mr Lucas’s extensive knowledge, leadership and skill enabled these people to be saved.
A current trainer with over 23 years of consecutive service, Mr Lucas is an assessor for key frontline lifesaving awards. Showcasing his versatility and expertise in different operational aspects of emergency response, he responded to the 2022 NSW floods as forward controller and duty officer and the NSW bushfire response as a Surf Life Saving NSW duty officer.
Mr Lucas’s commitment to emergency management remains steadfast, with over 6,500 volunteer patrol hours and over 25 years as a duty officer and rescue water craft operator, providing leadership and support to lifesaving personnel and representing Surf Life Saving to external agencies and emergency services.
Mr Lucas has accumulated and kept proficient a multitude of awards throughout his membership which spans across lifesaving, education, surf sports and support operations, and has continued to contribute through club, branch and state levels of the organisation. Mr Lucas has demonstrated significant commitment and dedication in the emergency service sector and to the broader community of NSW.
Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches: January 2019 - Doug Lucas certainly won't forget the Australia Day weekend. He was doing water safety for the Whale Beach Big Swim and realised he had clocked up more than 5,000 hours on patrol.
''I was looking at some patrol hours from my days at Long Reef SLSC and realised what I had achieved,'' Doug said.
''What started at Long Reef 20 years ago as a patroller and currently at Palm Beach SLSC and Narrabeen Beach SLSC as Patrol Captain has been a great journey and I’m not planning on hanging up the red and yellow skull cap any time soon.''
Doug's involvement in surf life saving goes far beyond being just a Patrol Captain. He is also heavily involved in Support Services as Duty Officer (since 2002), PWC driver and also as a member of Sydney Branch Surf Rescue 30 Off Shore Rescue Boat. Picture: Proud lifesaver Doug Lucas (driver) at Palm Beach.
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Mr Lance Hayden Miller
For distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
Mr Lance Miller joined the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP), an antecedent of Marine Rescue NSW, in 1975 at the age of 22. Now marking 50 years of continuous operational volunteer service, he remains an active and highly respected member, serving first as a marine rescue coxswain and more recently as a fully qualified and operational marine rescue master.
Mr Miller is professional, calm under pressure, and highly skilled. He places the highest priority on the safety of his crew and the boating public, particularly when operating in high-risk environments such as night operations, rough seas, or severe weather. Over five decades, Mr Miller has led numerous complex and challenging search and rescue operations, including traumatic incidents within Sydney Harbour, off Sydney Heads, and far offshore. He has logged hundreds of hours at sea and remains on call around the clock, responding without hesitation to emergencies and personally conducting many rescues in dangerous conditions.
Mr Miller continues to perform vessel duties and remains deeply committed to mentoring both new and experienced volunteers. He takes every opportunity to build the confidence, capability and professionalism of his crew, and plays an active role in promoting boating safety to the wider community.
His enduring contribution across operations, training, and community education, reflects exceptional leadership, operational courage, and a selfless commitment to service. He has played a significant role in shaping the skills and values of the Marine Rescue Middle Harbour Unit and is universally admired for his integrity, dedication, and humility. Mr Miller exemplifies the highest ideals of Marine Rescue NSW and has displayed unwavering commitment while contributing significantly to saving lives on the water.
Marine Rescue NSW, June 2024: In recognition of 50 incredible years of dedication, Lance Miller was last night awarded a Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner's Commendation for Service. Commissioner Alex Barrell presented Lance with the award in recognition of his significant and meritorious contribution to vessel operations and training at our Marine Rescue Middle Harbour unit. Through his leadership and ongoing mentoring of volunteers, Lance has had a major influence on the performance and direction of Marine Rescue Middle Harbour. Thank you Lance for your longstanding commitment to saving lives on the water.
