Gary Laker was one of 13 Illawarra residents recognised in the Australia Day Honours List. Photo: Supplied.
Thirteen Illawarra residents whose decades of service have shaped community life, sport, education and emergency response have been recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List.
From the 949 Australians recognised, 11 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipients, one Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) recipient and one Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) recipient were from the Illawarra.
The AFSM was awarded to Helensburgh’s Gary Laker, acknowledging nearly five decades of service, training and leadership with the Stanwell Park Bush Fire Brigade.
Gary said he was “speechless” when he found out he was a recipient.
“When I saw where it was from, I thought, ‘Oh, what have I done to incur the wrath of the Governor-General?'” he said, laughing.
Gary’s connection with firefighting began at just 14 years of age, joining the Stanwell Park Bush Fire Brigade.
“I grew up in the street where the fire station used to be,” he said.
“In Stanwell Park in those days, in the 70s, you either went to the surf club or the bushfire brigade.”
Now brigade captain, he first took on the role at age 20, and has held the position on and off for 20 years.
Across nearly 50 years of service, Gary has been deployed to some of the region’s most devastating emergencies. He recalls the 1994 fire season when most of the national park was destroyed, the 2001 ‘Black Christmas’ bushfires that saw 12-15 homes lost in Helensburgh, and the 2003 Waterfall train disaster.
“We were one of the first brigades to get to the actual train,” he said.
“Ironically, during my time with Sydney Trains, I was a train driver for two years and that actual train that was involved in that I’d only driven a couple of weeks before.”
He recalls long days at fires, including the Bermagui fires in 2023 where “by the time we got home, we’d been away for 21 hours”.
Now retired from Sydney Trains where he was part of the Rail Fire and Emergency Unit, he remains passionate about serving Stanwell Park Fire Brigade and acknowledged “there should be a medal like this for spouses”.
Wollongong Community Corrections Office manager Samara Abbott was awarded the meritorious ACM award after transforming the Wollongong office, which was previously marred by high workers’ compensation and sick leave rates, low morale, a long-standing culture remediation plan, and the highest parole condition breach rates for Aboriginal clients.
She has transformed workplace culture, improved outcomes for Aboriginal clients, and led innovative, people-focused reforms.
OAM recipients included Kiama’s Margaret Snelling, who was honoured for her 60 years’ service to hockey as a player, coach, umpire and volunteer.
Ross Taylor of Wollongong was recognised for service to surf lifesaving through Surf Life Saving Illawarra, and Thirroul and Coal Cliff clubs, along with being poet laureate for Austinmer Early Morning Swimmers.
Ross said he couldn’t believe it when he received the letter saying he had been nominated.
“They did the hard work, I’ve just been enjoying myself,” he said.
“The fitness, the camaraderie with the members in your own club and that you build with members from other clubs because of competition has kept me involved.
“My proudest moment with both clubs was attaining life membership – at Coalcliff I felt like I earnt it, but Thirroul I’m still shaking my head, like I am at the OAM. I don’t feel as though I’ve done anything.”
Ross, who still swims five mornings a week and goes for a paddle on Saturdays, acknowledged the award was as much for his late wife as it was for him.
Anthony Cox of Dapto was recognised for his work with the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association following his own Vietnam War service, while Gerringong’s Shane Wicks received an OAM for service to Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service, along with surf life saving and rugby league.
Figtree resident Roger Downs received an OAM for his extensive service, spanning health governance, aged care, legal practice and financial institutions over several decades, while Ian Mackay was recognised for decades of community involvement through organisations including Lions Club of Figtree, Illawarra Cancer Carers, local sporting clubs and service groups.
OAMs for service to youth through Scouts were awarded to Anthony Zuiderwyk for being Scout leader of the 1st Bulli Scout Group since 1985, and having leadership roles at local, state and national events over 40 years, while Corrimal resident Jennifer King was recognised for her work through 1st Russell Vale Scout Group, where she has held numerous leadership, administrative and mentoring roles over more than three decades.
Illawarra residents were also recognised for their contribution to sport, with Robert Lambourn receiving an OAM for his decades of service to basketball as an official and committee member, including his role as an inaugural referee in the National Basketball League and a decade of referee coaching with Basketball Illawarra.
Thirroul resident John Weeks received an OAM for service to secondary education, including as principal of Illawarra Grammar, and for leadership in education reform and child safety initiatives, while Reginald Young of Wollongong was honoured for service to the electrical trade industry, including leadership roles within National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) and National Electrical and Communications Association, NSW Branch.
