A former Olympian, a dementia advocate, a representative of the Maltese community and a long-term volunteer for athletics – these are just some of the locals that have made it on the King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
An impressive 12 residents from across Parramatta and Cumberland have received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for their commitment to the local community and beyond.
One of the locals to receive the well-deserved recognition is Wentworth Point resident and Dementia Advisor Anne Tunks.
Speaking to Parra News, Tunks said she was very surprised to be awarded the honour.
“I’ve been in this job for about 15 years, but I’ve worked in the field of dementia for 30 years,” she said.
“I feel like the people who really should be honoured are the people that I work with, like the carers who are looking after someone with dementia and the difficulties they face.
“I know a bit of that from personal experiences as well, my mum had dementia and she died back in 2008… I’ve sort of seen it from both sides.”
Her advocacy for dementia has seen her partake in everything from local half-marathons to hiking to Everest Base Camp.
“I was involved in a bike ride through Cambodia and Vietnam, fundraising for an organisation called NeuRA, which investigates brain diseases including dementia,” she added.
“I worked for Dementia Australia for a while, I’ve done some fundraising for them, I went to Everest Base Camp as a fundraiser for Dementia Australia.
“I run a men’s group for men who are caring for a partner or a parent with dementia. They’re just such a lovely group of men and so grateful to be given the opportunity to meet together and just talk.”
Penelope Gillies, from Epping, has received the OAM for her service to athletics as a coach and competitor.
She said her greatest accomplishment as an athlete was to go to both the 1972 and 1980 Olympics for the women’s 100m hurdles, and as a coach to see two of the men she trained make it to the Olympic semi-finals.
“It makes me very proud and honoured to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” Gillies said.
“When you’re an athlete you work hard towards a goal, like making the Olympic team, and so there’s an end in sight, but with an award like this it’s just a bonus – It’s something I never thought would happen.”
In Greystanes, Marie-Louise Previtera, a community worker for the Maltese Community Council of NSW, has been recognised for her service to the Maltese community of NSW.
“I still sort of don’t believe it, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” she said.
“I’m doing the things I love doing, and that’s helping people in the community, specifically the Maltese community.
“When I think about the groups I’m involved in, I’ve managed to reduce social isolation in a small way for the seniors [of the Maltese community].”
Calling it a great honour, Seven Hills resident David Archbold said he accepts the medal on behalf of Athletics NSW.
A long-time volunteer, Archbold has been involved in Athletics NSW from the age of 12.
He’s still volunteering even now at 78-years-old.
“I’m so very proud to accept this great honour on behalf of our great sport and especially to all our club members, officials, volunteers that make it happen,” he said.
“I find it quite rewarding, and to see over the years youngsters grow up and then bingo – they’re representing [the state].
“Although you’re not a coach, you can get these young athletes motivated, interested… the rest is history.”
Northmead local Anne Stanfield has also been awarded an OAM for significant service to community social welfare organisations, with Lidcombe’s Jonathan Gleeson receiving it for service to martial arts and Northmead’s Kerrye Katz for service to judo, as both a coach and athlete.
The Reverend Dr Graham Joseph Hill from Epping has received it for service to theological education and to the Baptist Churches of Australia, along with Henry Jones for service to veterans and the community of Parramatta, and Judith King for service to secondary education – both from Eastwood.
Rounding out the list is Beecroft residents Raymond Kidd for service to the arts as a patron and to oenology, and Diana Kidd for service to the arts and to youth.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.