Celebrating local heroes of Western Australia

The Australian Honours system helps to define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying and recognising positive role models within our community. Each recipient provides an important example of what Western Australians can achieve and how they can better the lives of those around them.

Today, some recipients were inducted into the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) while others were recognised for acts of courage when awarded the Bravery Medal, Commendation for Brave Conduct or a Group Bravery Citation.

Those recognised include:

OAM

Mr Malcolm Edward OAM. For service to the stud merino industry, and to the community of Wagin.
Mrs Patricia Hart OAM. For service to the community of Armadale.
Ms Judith Hugo OAM. For service to the visual arts.
Mr Brian Landers AFSM OAM. For service to the community of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Mr Walter Lord OAM. For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mrs Lesley Margaret Mcnee OAM. For service to the community of Koorda and surrounds.
Mr Douglas Melville OAM. For service to education, and to youth.
Mr Peter Nosow OAM. For service to horticulture, and to the community.
Ms Joan Peters OAM. For service to the performing arts, particularly to film.
Mr Peter Hamilton Polain OAM. For service to the community through a range of roles.
Mrs Lyn Serventy OAM. For service to conservation and the environment.
Mrs Lynette Joy Shepherd OAM. For service to secondary education.
Mrs Elizabeth Anne Shepherdson OAM. For service to the community of Margaret River.
Mrs Judy Elizabeth Thönell OAM. For service to music through education.
Mrs Jude Van Der Merwe OAM. For service to the visual arts through administrative roles.

Bravery Medal

Senior Constable Daniel Murphy BM. For displaying considerable bravery during the rescue of a person from a burning vehicle in Margaret River, Western Australia on 6 July 2019.
Senior Constable Andrew Slee BM. For displaying considerable bravery during the rescue of a person from a burning vehicle in Margaret River, Western Australia on 6 July 2019.

Commendation for Brave Conduct

Senior Constable Ryan Clarke. In recognition of his brave conduct during the rescue of a woman from a bridge in Beckenham, Western Australia on 19 December 2018.
Mr Robert Shayne Coverley. In recognition of his brave conduct following an explosion at a house in Midvale, Western Australia on 16 June 2019.
Sergeant Ross Cunninghame. In recognition of his brave conduct during the rescue of a man from difficult seas in Broome, Western Australia on 12 November 2018.
First Class Constable Dylan Edwards. In recognition of his brave conduct during an incident and house fire in Butler, Western Australia on 7 April 2020.
Mr Peter Fabrici. In recognition of his brave conduct during the rescue of a person from a burning vehicle near Margaret River, Western Australia on 1 January 2020.
Sergeant Lynden Ganzer. In recognition of his brave conduct during the rescue of a man from difficult seas in Broome, Western Australia on 12 November 2018.
First Class Constable Daniel Lodge. In recognition of his brave conduct during an incident and house fire in Butler, Western Australia on 7 April 2020.
Mr Michael Scanlon. In recognition of his brave conduct following the rescue of a woman from a house fire in Carine, Western Australia on 11 June 2020.
Miss Jayla Smith. In recognition of her brave conduct during the rescue of a young child in Swan View, Western Australia on 10 July 2018.

Group Bravery Citation

Sergeant Ross Cunninghame, Sergeant Lynden Ganzer, Senior Constable Steven Nelson Mayger. In recognition of their brave conduct during the rescue of a man from difficult seas in Broome, Western Australia on 12 November 2018. A man had jumped off the high cliff-face at Gantheaume Point Cliffs and was unable to swim back to the rock face. The current swept him out to sea and he began to struggle in the deep water. Three police officers arrived after a passer-by had jumped into the water and was attempting to keep the man afloat. Two police officers entered the water and swam to the pair in distress whilst the third officer located a stand-up paddle board and made his way out to the group. The three officers and the two men were able to cling to the paddle board to stay afloat, until local sea rescue vessels arrived and returned them to shore.