For 45 years, Jan Dawes volunteered with Lifeline Canberra, dedicating her time to listen to desperate Australians ringing the 24/7 crisis support hotline, and helping them in their distress.

Today, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2024 Australia Day honours “for service to the community through social welfare organisations”.

“It seems a bit strange,” Mrs Dawes said, with a laugh. “I was very surprised at first, but also honoured when I thought about it. I think it’s a great honour.”

Mrs Dawes is one of 25 Canberrans recognised in the General Division of the Order of Australia, and among 739 Australians nationwide. They include scientists, diplomats, doctors, teachers, businesspeople, lawyers, librarians, musicians, and sports players. Some are well-known, others are quiet achievers – but all are extraordinary in their way.

Mrs Dawes got involved with Lifeline in 1976, because it was something she could do when her children were young. She did a night course, which she says taught her a lot of skills; found that she really enjoyed the work, and stayed until 2021, serving as both a telephone crisis counsellor and a supervisor.

“Lifeline has a very valuable role to play in the community, and I think we do a lot of work when we’re on the phones,” Mrs Dawes said. “We talk with people… giving them other options when they’re in a really bad spot, and can’t see a way out…

“The caller makes a decision … so hopefully next time when a situation arises, they have the confidence to make their own decision… [Lifeline] is about listening and accepting that person for who they are and their issue…

“Certainly, a lot of people talk about suicide; it’s a subject that Lifeliners learn about, and so it’s not a scary subject to talk about when you’re on the phones… but there are lots of other options when we talk with people…

“[They] can turn [their] mind to the other options, and [realise] ‘Yeah, hey, it isn’t as bad as I thought’, or ‘I can do this’ instead. Sometimes, problems we have go round in our head, but verbalising it and speaking to someone can make it so much clearer for the caller.”

Mrs Dawes commended Lifeline for its excellent support for volunteers, acknowledging the organisation’s acceptance and commitment to them.

“Lifeline really looks after their volunteers better than any of the other agencies that I’ve worked with. That was a real plus, too…

“Lifeline is there, and to be used by people, and they’re very accepting of people, and therefore accepting of you as a volunteer, too.”

Mrs Dawes received Lifeline Australia’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Opal of Honour Award in 2019, and Golden Wattle Award in 2018.

Mrs Dawes and her husband will celebrate Australia Day with a sausage sizzle at their retirement village. She reflected on the challenges surrounding Australia Day, whose date has become controversial in recent years.

“I am an Australian, and really felt it was an important day,” Mrs Dawes said. “I’m just sorry to see what’s happening now, hijacking that. I can understand why people think it’s a bad day, but it’s the heightened emotions that are there, rather than trying to be rational, that I find difficult. To me, it’s a day celebrating all of Australians – and that’s Indigenous, as well. When you look at all the immigrants we’ve had that can accept Australia, that is empowering for Australia and for them.”

ACT recipients

Order of Australia

Officer of the Order (AO)

• Professor Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt – “For distinguished service to natural resource management research and innovation, to gender equality, and to tertiary education.” Professor in the Resource, Environment and Development Program of the Australian National University; various roles in the Australian Research Council since 2006; served the World Bank as Senior Advisor in Indonesia and contributing to projects on women in mining; and engaged in international organisations like the United Nations.
• Mr Gregory Lawrence Moriarty – “For distinguished service to public administration in leadership roles, particularly in national and international security.” Secretary of the Department of Defence; former Commonwealth counter-terrorism co-ordinator, international and national security adviser and chief of staff to the Prime Minister, and ambassador to Indonesia and to Iran.

Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

• Emeritus Professor Dudley Cecil Creagh – “For significant service to science, and to tertiary education.” Emeritus Professor, Creative and Cultural Practice, and Adjunct Professor, Science, University of Canberra. Held key positions in various scientific organisations such as the International Radiation Physics Society, Australian Synchrotron Project, and Major National Research Facilities Program. Contributed to the field of crystallography and apparatus design.
• Emeritus Professor Hilton John Kobus – Emeritus Professor of Forensic Science, Flinders University. “For significant service to forensic science through governance and administrative roles.” Emeritus Professor of Forensic Science at Flinders University. Held leadership positions in various forensic science organisations, such as Forensic Science South Australia (FSSA); the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS); the Senior Managers Australia and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories Group; and the Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.
• Emeritus Professor Christian Joseph Lueck – “For significant service to neurology and neuro-ophthalmology through medical research and clinical practice.” Emeritus Professor and former Chief Investigator at the Australian National University; co-founded clinical units at Canberra Health Services; former President of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of Australia.
• Her Excellency Ms Harinder Kaur Sidhu – “For significant service to public administration, and to foreign affairs.” High Commissioner to New Zealand; former High Commissioner to India and Bhutan; and Division Head at the Department of Climate Change, and Assistant Director-General at the Office of National Assessments.
• Mr Ivan Roman Slavich – “For significant service to business, and to the community through governance and philanthropic endeavours.” Former CEO of Capital Football (ACT Football Federation) and Soldier On. Held leadership positions with Service One Alliance Bank, the Canberra Business Chamber, and TransACT Communications, among other roles. His philanthropic endeavours include fundraising for Camp Quality and Movember.
• Mr Colin Robert Steele – “For significant service to librarianship, and to digital information sharing.” Served as the University Librarian at the Australian National University for more than two decades; was involved with professional and literary organisations; and served on editorial advisory boards for academic journals. Co-authored works on research practices in the digital information environment.
• The late Ms Sophie Jessica Trevitt – “For significant service to social justice, and to human rights protection for youth and Indigenous people.” Served as executive officer of Change the Record, and convenor of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. Worked as a solicitor for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, and held roles in the Australian Greens, including working in Shane Rattenbury MLA’s office.
• Clinical Associate Professor Kathleen Elizabeth Tymms – “For significant service to rheumatology, and to professional associations.” Rheumatology physician specialist and acting director of the Rheumatology Department at Canberra Hospital, and Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University. Has been involved in organisations such as the Scleroderma Association of NSW Inc., Australian Rheumatology Association, and Arthritis Australia.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

• Mrs Stephanie Joy Armstrong – “For service to Indigenous health and education.” Consultant for First Nation education and health, has run reconciliation committees, Indigenous health networks, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education programs.
• Mrs Bronwyn Alice Brown – “For service to the community through music.” Official accompanist for eisteddfods and musical societies, including the Australian National Eisteddfod; rehearsal pianist for Australian opera principals and concert soloists; and plays the organ at several churches.
• Mrs Vicki Lynnette Brown – “For service to education, and to the community.” Former teacher; leadership roles with organisations including ACT Children’s Week, ACT Playgroups, Marymead Child and Family Centre, and the ACT School Board Forum.
• Ms Kyira Louise Cox – “For service to softball.” National Umpire in Chief of Softball Australia; international umpire, including at Tokyo Olympics; and received prestigious awards such as the Umpire of the Year from the World Baseball Softball Confederation and Softball Australia.
• Mrs Elizabeth Jan Dawes – “For service to the community through social welfare organisations.” Lifeline telephone crisis counsellor for 45 years.
• Dr Benjamin James Field – “For service to osteopathy.” Founder and former director of the Canberra City Health Network; was national president of Osteopathy Australia; served on the board of the Australian and New Zealand Osteopathic Council; and taught at the Canberra Institute of Technology.
• Mr David Charles Hatherly – “For service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory.” Volunteer with the State Emergency Services; the Australian Red Cross, ACT branch; the University of the Third Age; community orchestras; and cultural and environmental causes.
• Mrs Lois Pearl Maiden – “For service to primary and early childhood education.” Has taught music at Totom House Early Childhood Centre in Kaleen since 2014, and worked as a teacher in NSW and the ACT since the 1960s. Received the Children’s Week Award in 2016 and was a Finalist in the ANZAC Education Volunteer of the Year Awards in 2022.
• Mr Peter Thornton Murray – “For service to the community of Canberra.” Has served as president of the Probus Club; been involved in memorial committees and renovations; and volunteered with the ACT Cancer Society and Scouts.
• Ms Ruth Bronwyn Osborne – “For service to the performing arts, particularly dance.” Artistic director of QL2 Dance since 1999; held leadership positions in Western Australian arts companies.
• Ms Wendy Parsons – “For service to animal welfare.” Former president of the ACT Rescue and Foster Association (2011 to 2019).
• Mrs Ann Sutton – “For service to the community through a range of organisations.” Including the Australia-Britain Society; the Royal Commonwealth Society ACT; the Wesley Uniting Church; and community music organisations, social welfare volunteering, and education.
• Mr Roy Henry Teymant – “For service to chess.” President, Chief Organiser, and Promoter of the Canberra Chess Club.
• Mr Peter Charles Waterman – “For service to the media as a journalist.” Senior Media Advisor and Communications Specialist for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia; freelance health journalist; and former Director of National Public Affairs for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
• Dr Christopher Lex Watson – “For service to the community of Belconnen.” President of Voices of West Belconnen; Foundation President of the Ginninderra Falls Association. Has been involved with community conservation, ecologically sustainable population, public transport, and community welfare organisations.

Meritorious

Several Canberrans were awarded Meritorious awards for outstanding service:

Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)

• Mr Dean Matthew Smith (ACT Corrective Services)

Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)

• Mr Gerald Peter Muhldorff (ACT Fire & Rescue)

Australian Intelligence Medal

• Mr Cameron Ashe (Office of National Intelligence)
• Ms Jenny Gianakis (Office of National Intelligence)
• Mr Wayne H (Office of National Intelligence)
• Mr Dominique Labutte (Office of National Intelligence)
• Mr Claudio S (Office of National Intelligence)
• Mr Reyner W (Office of National Intelligence)

Emergency Services Medal (ESM)

• Mr Tristan Wesley Peemoeller (ACT State Emergency Service)

Public Service Medal (ACT)

• Ms Kareena Arthy (Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) – “For outstanding public service to economic development and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
• Ms Fiona Barbaro (ACT Health Directorate) – “For outstanding public service to the ACT Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.”
• Ms Karen Elizabeth Doran (Major Projects Canberra) – “For outstanding public service to community safety through leadership, policy advice and program administration.”
• Mr Michael Hatswell (ACT Education Directorate) – “For outstanding public service to public education as the principal of Evatt Primary School.”
• Mr Jonathan Kobus (Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) – “For outstanding public service to the Canberra and region tourism industry through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
• Mr Victor Hugo Martin (ACT Health Directorate) – “For outstanding public service in managing the COVID-19 Proactive Compliance Inspection Program for the ACT’s COVID-19 response.”
• Ms Jenny Anne Priest (Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) – “For outstanding public service in leading the delivery of Business Support Grants to businesses in the ACT impacted by COVID-19.”
• Ms Charmaine Smith (ACT Health Directorate) – “For outstanding public service to the ACT Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.”
• Ms Susan Ruth Vroombout (Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate) – “For outstanding public service as the Deputy Under Treasurer in the ACT Treasury during COVID-19.”
• Ms Joanne Margaret Wood (ACT Community Services Directorate) – “For outstanding public service in supporting vulnerable Canberrans throughout the ACT’s COVID-19 response.”

Public Service Medal (Federal)

• Dr John Harold Dawson (Geoscience Australia) – “For outstanding public service to government, industry and the community to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for Australia.”
• Mr Nicholas John Housego (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) – “For outstanding public service in developing and embedding the practice of facilitation services within government departments and agencies.”
• Ms Amanda Lee (Department of Finance) – “For outstanding public service in leadership and professionalism in the development and delivery of the Commonwealth budgets and fiscal policy.”
• Ms Chantelle Stratford (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) – “For outstanding public service in leadership and innovation in gender equality and women’s policy within the Australian Government.”
• Ms Gemma Van Halderen (Australian Bureau of Statistics) – “For outstanding public service in delivering significant statistical developments for better use of data for public policy purposes, both in Australia and internationally.”
• Ms Sally-Anne Vincent (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) – “For outstanding public service in contributing to the safety of Australians, security of missions and protection of bilateral relationships through difficult environments and overseas crises.”

Across Australia, four people were appointed Companion of the Order (AC), 38 Officer of the Order (AO), and 194 Member of the Order (AM). 503 were awarded the Medal of the Order (OAM). For the second time since the Australian honours system was introduced in 1975, more women (50.5 per cent) than men were recognised in the General Division. More than 42 per cent of awards (310) were for outstanding service or achievement in the community.

Forty-nine Australians were recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while 20 people received awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (1 AO, 9 AM and 10 OAM).

“Congratulations to the outstanding Australians recognised in today’s Honours List,” the Governor-General, H.E. General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC, said. “Recipients have made a difference and had an impact at the local, national, and / or international level. Individually, they are inspiring, and collectively, they speak to the strength of our communities.

“Recipients come from all parts of the country. They have served and had an impact in just about every field you can imagine; their stories and backgrounds are diverse. We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness, and, today, celebrate them.”

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia. If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.

“To all Australians: our honours system belongs to all of us, and the Order of Australia must reflect who we are,” the Governor-General said. “We can all nominate someone we admire and respect for recognition. Please consider doing so.”

The Governor-General believes the Order should reflect the diversity of the Australian community. He wants to increase nominations for outstanding individuals from parts of the community that have been historically underrepresented, including women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If this story has raised issues, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifelinecanberra.org.au/