By
ABPH Kade Rogers
Six
members of the Royal Australian Navy were named amongst 530
recipients on the Queen’s Birthday honours list. The Governor-General,
His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery (Ret’d), approved
the list, which recognises a diverse range of contributions
and service by fellow citizens who have distinguished themselves
at home and internationally.
The Australian Honours System represents the highest level of
recognition that can be accorded for attainment of outstanding
achievement and service in national life. The Honourable Sir
James Gobbo, Chairman of the Council for the Order, congratulated
those honoured, stating “…Australia is a nation not only rich
in talent, resources and potential, but also in citizens who
are willing to work for the benefit of the wider community.
Today we recognize outstanding citizens from all walks of life,
whose contributions have helped define our nation.
Award recipients demonstrate commitment and leadership of the
highest degree in all fields and sectors including scientific
research and development, volunteer work, the arts and sport,
Defence service, academia, service to youth, innovation in industry
and community service.”
More than 20,000 Australians, nominated by fellow citizens,
have been recognized within the Order of Australia to date.
CAPT
Simon Cullen, ACT
Member
(AM) in the Military Division For exceptional service in warlike
operations as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force
633 and as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney and HMAS Albatross.
CAPT Cullen provided exemplary leadership, and selflessly managed
headquarters and Australian Defence Force personnel in the Middle
East Area of Operations and Navy personnel within Her Majesty’s
Australian Ships Sydney and Albatross.
His calm and robust approach and outstanding devotion to duty
provided outstanding leadership to staff members in the hyperactive
environment of an operational headquarters in a warlike environment,
moulding a highly effective headquarters team.
His achievements are of the highest order and in keeping with
the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian
Defence Force.
CDRE Matt Tripovich CSC, ACT
Member
(AM) in the Military Division For exceptional service to the
Royal Australian Navy as Director General Navy Capability, erformance
and Plans , Commodore Flotillas and Director General Navy Personnel
and Training.
CDRE Tripovich has made an exceptional contribution to managing
the Navy of today and building the Navy of tomorrow in the areas
of capability management, operations and personnel management.
His impressive leadership, drive, professionalism and dedication
are worthy of high recognition and are in the best traditions
of the Royal Australian Navy.
CDRE
Geoff Ledger, ACT
Member
(AM) in the Military Division For exceptional service to the
Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force as Director
of the Aviation Capability Improvement Team and Commander Australian
Navy Aviation Group.
Throughout his career, including in demanding senior appointments,
CDRE Ledger has displayed superlative leadership qualities and
outstanding professionalism and made an exceptional contribution,
both to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm and Australian
Defence Force aviation.
His dedication and achievements are in the highest traditions
of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force.
CDRE Geoff Ledger, ACT
WO(N)
David Turner, NSW
Member
(AM) in the Military Division For exceptional service to the
Royal Australian Navy as Staff Officer Navy Reserve Policy and
Warrant Officer of the Navy.
WO Turner has made an outstanding contribution to Navy personnel
management through a long and exceptional career.
His extraordinary capacity to serve and, in turn, better the
careers and lifestyle of his fellow sailors is unmatched. He
has articulated a strong vision for the future of the Navy’s
personnel and as such his achievements will have a long lasting
impact on the Royal Australian Navy and its people.
WO
Garry Osborne, NSW
Medal
(OAM) of the order of Australia in the Military Division For
meritorious service as Officer-in-Charge of Minesweeper Auxiliary
Wallaroo and services to the Mine Warfare Branch.
WO Osborne consistently displayed outstanding leadership during
a sustained period as Officer-in-Charge of Minesweeper Auxiliary
Wallaroo. He commanded Wallaroo on two operational deployments
to Bougainville, and took a leading role in the development
of the Navy’s mine warfare force to achieve exceptional results.
WO Osborne’s achievements are of the highest order and in keeping
with the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy.
WO
Peter Kenworthy, VIC
Medal
(OAM) of the order of Australia in the Military Division For
meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy in the fields
of dental health care and dental category development.
WO Kenworthy has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment
to the continuous improvement of dental services and to the
development of meaningful and satisfying careers for dental
sailors.
WO Kenworthy is an outstanding Warrant Officer who has always
led by example and worked tirelessly for the betterment of his
category.
His professional standards, dedication and acceptance of responsibility
are of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions
of the Royal Australian Navy.
