Honours to North West achievers

An impressive diversity of community members’ contributions and achievements is again reflected in the King’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday.

North Western residents whose community service has taken them from the Republic of Nepal, country businesses and local government to the black soil plains have been honoured in the awards.

The King’s Birthday Honours recognise people from the spectrum of rural business, agriculture, industry, print media, volunteer work and social organisations.

The North West is represented with two Members of the Order of Australia (AM) and three Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipients.

The citations accompanying the awards reveal an impressive and diverse catalogue of community contributions and engagement.

Moree solicitor Roger Butler, a recipient of the OAM in 2003, has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for ‘significant service to the community through charitable and volunteer organisations.’

Mr Butler’s contributions and achievements range through ongoing close engagement with indigenous support organisations, the Moree RSL, the Anglican Church, to long term support for the Australian Himalayan Foundation and recognition for that role with the Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Award in 2019, and the Silver Kangaroo for Eminent Achievement and Meritorious Service Award, Chief Scout of Australia, 2007.

Former Narrabri resident David Anthony, a prominent figure in the Australian cotton industry and cotton communities for many years was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (AM) ‘for significant service to the agricultural sector, and to the community of Narrabri.’

Mr Anthony achieved leading positions in many industry organisations and corporate entities, the agricultural science research community, government advisory bodies and cotton associated agricultural industries.

His long career spanned his chairmanship of Auscott, and close involvement with water and biosecurity agencies as CEO and chairman which saw him engaged in cotton regionally, nationally and internationally.

Former Narrabri resident John Dunnet, now of Toronto, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, OAM, for service to the print media industry.

Mr Dunnet served as an industry delegate to the Australian Press Council for 18 years from 1997. The Council met regularly in Australian capital cities to resolve issues involving allegations questioning published information protocols.

Mr Dunnet served as a board member of the regional newspapers’ national industry body Country Press Australia from 1986-1997 and president 1995-1997 and was Country Press NSW president from 1986-1999, being made a Life Member in recognition of many years on the state board.

He was co-proprietor and managing director of The Courier, Narrabri, from 1972-2007. During that time Mr Dunnet was chairman of the North West Magazine partnership, awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 and was a long serving member of the New England-North West Regional Development Board.

Gae Swain, Carroll, is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia, OAM ‘for service to local government and to the community of Gunnedah.’ Mrs Swain was an elected member of Gunnedah Shire Council from 1991-2008 and 2012-2008 and served as mayor, 1999- 2008 and deputy mayor 2012-2018.

Mrs Swain is closely involved with the Anglican Church, Diocese of Armidale, holding many executive Synod appointments.

Mrs Swain was founder of the Gunnedah Youth Scholarship Fund, a founding board member of Mackellar Care, an office holder and board member of Gunnedah Nursing Home and has been awarded the Women in Local Government Award, Woman of the Year, Tamworth Electorate, and is active in Gunnedah Rotary where she was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2004.

Wanda Dunnet, Narrabri, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia OAM, ‘For service to the print media industry.’

Mrs Dunnet is a co-proprietor and since 2007, managing director of The Courier, Narrabri, the Gunnedah Times, since 2020 the regional North Western Guide and Wee Waa News newspapers.

Mrs Dunnet is actively involved in the regional newspaper industry at state and federal organisation levels. She has served as a Country Press Australia board member since 2019 in her capacity as NSW Country Press Association vice president.

She has acted as delegate/attendee at each state industry conference and to the South Asia News Summit, 2022, and the International News Media Association congresses including Sydney, San Francisco, Washington and New York.

Mrs Dunnet is a passionate advocate for the role of print community newspapers. “Every town needs a newspaper,” she believes.