Investiture Ceremony at Government House

The Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, invested 74 recipients with Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday Honours and Bravery Awards at Government House, Canberra.

In the morning, Professor Brian Schmidt AC was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his eminent service and contribution to the field of science.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General invested the Reverend Professor James Haire AC as a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his international leadership in interfaith dialogue and the promotion of peace and religious reconciliation.

A full list of recipients and their citations are below:

Morning Investiture Ceremony

Appointed a Companion in the General Division:

Professor Brian SCHMIDT

For eminent service as a global science leader in the field of physics, through research in the study of astronomy and astrophysics, contributions to scientific bodies, and the promotion of science education.

Appointed an Officer in the General Division:

Ms Lynelle BRIGGS

For distinguished service to public administration, particularly through leadership in the development of public service performance and professionalism.

Appointed a Member in the General Division:

Mr Howard BAMSEY

For significant service to public administration, particularly in the area of climate change and energy efficiency.

Mr John DUNKLEY

For significant service to the exploration, science and conservation of caves and karsts.

Ms Christine GEE

For significant service to international relations and the people of Nepal, particularly through the provision of education, health and environmental programs.

Mr Kenneth JOHNSON

For significant service to the development of water resources for irrigation and hydro-electricity as an engineer.

Appointed a Member in the Military Division:

Brigadier Jane SPALDING

For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the fields of recruiting and strategic reform.

Awarded the Medal in the General Division:

The Reverend Father George CARPIS

For service to the Greek Orthodox Church, and to the community.

Dr Robert Pem GERNER

For service to architectural education, particularly in the field of urban design.

Mr Bruce LINDENMAYER

For service to conservation and the environment.

Mr Richard LONGMORE

For service to herpetology, particularly the study of snakes and lizards.

Mr Winston PHILLIPS

For service to local government, and to the community of the Monaro and Snowy Mountains region.

Mr Paul SALISBURY

For service to the international community following the earthquakes and tsunami which occurred in Japan in 2011.

Mr Henry Paul STREET

For service to the community through Rotary International.

Dr David TAYLOR

For service to dentistry, particularly through executive roles with professional organisations, and to the community.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE DECORATIONS

Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross:

Lieutenant Colonel G

For distinguished command and leadership in action.

Awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Medal:

Major J

For distinguished leadership in warlike operations and in action.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal:

Major Anthony BENNETT

For distinguished leadership in warlike operations and in action as the Officer Commanding A Company, Mentoring Task Force 3 on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan from June to November 2011.

Major E

For distinguished leadership in warlike operations and in action.

Lieutenant Colonel S

For distinguished leadership in action as an officer commanding while on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan in 2009.

Awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service:

Lieutenant Colonel B

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew JONES

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Director Counter Improvised Explosive Devices, Headquarters Joint Task Force 633, on Operation SLIPPER from November 2010 to November 2011.

Major General Michael KRAUSE

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as the Deputy Chief of Staff - Plans, Headquarters International Joint Command, International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan from March 2011 to February 2012.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS

Awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross:

Colonel John MCLEAN

For outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer, 16th Air Defence Regiment.

Wing Commander Paul PAROLO

For outstanding achievement in the field of Aerospace Engineering in the Royal Australian Air Force.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS

Awarded the Public Service Medal:

Ms Pamela DAVOREN

For outstanding public service in the leadership of coordinated and integrated policy development and service delivery across the ACT Public Service.

Mr Patrick DAVOREN

For outstanding public service through the development of policies in radioactive waste management, nuclear safeguards and rehabilitation of the former nuclear test sites at Maralinga.

Mr Peter JENNINGS

For outstanding public service through the development of Australia's strategic and defence policy, particularly in the areas of Australian Defence Force operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ms Sheryl LEWIN

For outstanding public service to the Australian Public Service, especially to the welfare and social inclusion aims of government.

Mr John LITCHFIELD

For outstanding public service in the area of Indigenous land policy.

Ms Carmel MCGREGOR

For outstanding public service through administrative reforms including a crucial role in leading 'The Review of Employment Pathways for APS Women in the Department of Defence' and significant contribution in the development of the Reform of Australian Government Administration 'The Blueprint'.

Awarded the Australian Police Medal:

Commander Bruce GILES

For distinguished service to the Australian Federal Police, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism, transnational crime investigation and international police relations.

Detective Superintendent William QUADE

For distinguished service to the Australian Federal Police, particularly through international peacekeeping and capacity building roles.

Assistant Commissioner Justine SAUNDERS

For distinguished service to the Australian Federal Police, particularly in management and leadership roles.

AUSTRALIAN BRAVERY DECORATIONS

Awarded the Bravery Medal and/or Group Bravery Citation:

The following three people are being recognised with a Group Bravery Citation, with Mrs Judith Hennock and Senior Constable Shane Pedler also receiving a Bravery Medal.

Mrs Judith HENNOCK

Senior Constable Shane PEDLER

Mr Peter YELLAND

They are recognised for their acts in rescuing three people trapped in burning vehicles as a result of a motor vehicle accident near Wagga Wagga.

Afternoon Investiture Ceremony

Appointed a Companion in the General Division:

The Reverend Professor James HAIRE

For eminent service to the community through international leadership in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, the promotion of religious reconciliation, inclusion and peace, and as a theologian.

Appointed an Officer in the General Division:

Mr Gregory HARTUNG

For distinguished service to sport and to people with a disability through contributions to the development and promotion of the Paralympic community, particularly in the South Pacific.

Appointed a Member in the General Division:

Professor Michael DOPITA

For significant service to science in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.

Dr David EVANS

For significant service to science and innovation through commercialising and developing new technologies.

Mr John HINDMARSH

For significant service to building and construction in the Australian Capital Territory, and to business.

Mr Robin POKE

For significant service to the sport of rowing and the Olympic movement as an administrator, journalist and author.

Dr Michael SMITH

For significant service to archaeological scholarship, particularly of the Australian desert regions.

Awarded the Medal in the General Division:

Brigadier Graeme FINNEY

For service to the community of Wagga Wagga through a range of charitable organisations.

Mr Giuseppe GIUGNI

For service to the community through multicultural and charitable organisations.

Mr Raymond HAZEN

For service to radio broadcasting.

Mrs Louise PAGE

For service to the performing arts.

Mr Harold REARDON

For service to the community of Gundagai.

Group Captain Arthur SKIMIN

For service to the community, particularly veterans and their families.

Mr Paul STEPHENSON

For service to local government, and to the community.

Mr Benjamin STEWART

For service to youth through the Australian Air Force Cadets.

Dr Anthony WILSON

For service to medicine, and to the community of Tumut.

Dr James WHITTEM

For service to veterinary science through a range of professional roles, and to the community.

Awarded the Medal in the Military Division:

Warrant Officer Class One David LEHR

For meritorious service as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd/10th Field Regiment, Joint Task Force 635 Operation ANODE Rotation 13 and the 1st Field Regiment.

Warrant Officer Class One John PICKETT

For meritorious service as the Drill Wing Sergeant Major, Royal Military College Duntroon and as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 41st Battalion, The Royal NSW Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE DECORATIONS

Awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service:

Captain Simon OTTAVIANO

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Chief of Staff Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 on Operation SLIPPER from July 2011 to January 2012.

Commander Andrew QUINN

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as the Commanding Officer, HMAS Toowoomba on Operation SLIPPER from June to October 2011.

Major Nicholas BOSIO

For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Officer Commanding, Engineer Task Unit and Staff Officer Plans, Mentoring Task Force - Two on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS

Awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross:

Captain Bruce LEGGE

For outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer of HMAS Warramunga.

Lieutenant Colonel John CAREY

For outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

Awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal:

Sergeant Bradley FOSTER

For meritorious achievement as acting Company Sergeant Major of C Company and acting Second in Command of Support Company, the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

Warrant Officer Class One Christopher TUDDENHAM

For meritorious devotion to duty as the Communications Systems Engineer at Headquarters Joint Operations Command.

Major Lisa WESTON

For meritorious devotion to duty as the Officer Commanding ECHO Squadron at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Warrant Officer Edward O’FARRELL

For meritorious achievement as the Warrant Officer in Charge of the Assisted Learning Centre at the Royal Australian Air Force School of Technical Training.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARDS

Awarded the Public Service Medal:

Ms Marianne CULLEN

For outstanding public service and contribution to the Australian community through the development and implementation of the National Broadband Network.

Ms Rachel NOBLE

For outstanding public service as Australia's National Security Chief Information Officer.

Ms Judith ROBINSON

For outstanding public service to the development and delivery of Australia's foreign aid program.

Mrs Vicki RUNDLE

For outstanding public service in improving the quality of early childhood education and care for Australia's children.

Ms Pip SPENCE

For outstanding public service and contribution to the Australian community through the telecommunications regulations reform associated with the implementation of the National Broadband Network.

AUSTRALIAN BRAVERY DECORATIONS

Awarded the Bravery Medal:

Mr Paul GATENBY

Awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct:

Mrs Lisa BOSSLEY

Mr Gatenby and Mrs Bossley displayed significant bravery in the rescue of the driver of an overturned petrol tanker.

Awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct:

Warrant Officer Class One Kenneth BULLMAN

Warrant Officer Kenneth Bullman bravely protected the historic library and museum building at the Royal Military College Duntroon from fire while waiting for reinforcements.

Mr Kenneth PEARCE

Mr Kenneth Pearce and a colleague demonstrated bravery in acting to relieve pressure on the Captain’s Flat dam wall when it threatened to collapse.