Five Illawarra residents recognised in 50th annual Australia Day Honours List

From a firefighter to champions of the Vietnamese community and two sporting identities, five Illawarra residents were recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.

From the 732 inspirational Australians recognised, four Medals of the Order of Australia and one Australian Fire Service Medal were awarded to Illawarra residents.

A Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division was awarded to Illawarra Hawks medical services head and Corrimal resident Philip Driscoll for services to sport through medical roles, former Helensburgh now Queensland-based BMX gold medallist Saya Sakakibara for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, and Wollongong’s Hong-Phong Le and Huong Thuy Tran both received OAMs for services to the Vietnamese community.

Meanwhile, Stanwell Park’s Superintendent Gregory Houston received an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service – one of the highest honours an Australian firefighter can receive.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC said to read recipient stories was to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, was what mattered most to all Australians, in every sphere of life.

“Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them,” Ms Mostyn said.

“This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system.

“We have a wonderful opportunity over the next 50 years of our honours and awards to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society.”

In receiving the AFSM, Superintendent Houston said he was humbled to be recognised by his peers and receive the award.

Joining Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in 1990, he was FRNSW’s first aviation officer and worked with NSW Police’s Air Wing to enhance the fire service’s counter terrorism capability.

He played a vital role in improving and expanding FRNSW’s urban search and rescue (USAR) competencies, and has been deployed to various natural disasters, including the 1997 Thredbo landslide, 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and 2015 Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu.

“I have worked with outstanding leaders during my career who have mentored and guided me and instilled great pride in the work we do,” Superintendent Houston said.

“The ability to assist people, both locally and abroad, on what is often the worst day of their life, is a great privilege.

“As firefighters, we don’t do it for the accolades – it is part of our role to demonstrate kindness and compassion and help others as much as we can.

“It is important to maintain our culture and traditions and honour those who have gone before us. FRNSW has a long and proud 140-year history that has helped shape who we are today and pave the way for our future.”

In addition to his operational achievements, in 2022 he was instrumental in re-establishing the NSW Fire Brigades RSL sub-Branch which he is currently president of, led the FRNSW Ceremonial Team, served as a peer support office, is a former FRNSW Relief and Welfare Fund committee member, and Museum of Fire board member.

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said Superintendent Houston had demonstrated great professional commitment and integrity throughout his 35-year career.

“Superintendent Houston is highly respected within our organisation and more broadly, and a worthy recipient of this prestigious medal,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.

For Philip Driscoll, his OAM comes after having been head of medical services at the Illawarra Hawks in the National Basketball League since 1979, having a locker room named in his honour in 2023.

He has also been a sports trainer with Sports Medicine Australia since 1984 and went on to be sports trainer at the Illawarra Steelers and St George Illawarra Dragons.

Another Illawarra sportsperson honoured with an OAM was Saya Sakakibara, who won a gold medal in women’s BMX racing at the Paris Olympic Games last year and was a member of the Australian Cycling Team in Tokyo in 2020.

Hong-Phong Le received his OAM for various roles servicing the Vietnamese community.

While he is a current board member and diplomatic advisor for the Vietnamese Community in Wollongong, he is also currently a Vietnamese Veterans Association Illawarra branch member, Wollongong City Council’s Wollongong Living Books Program participant and fundraiser for various Illawarra, interstate and international appeals.

Receiving the same award was Huong Thuy Tran who has been president of the Vietnamese Community in Wollongong since 1999 and an active fundraiser.

She has also been Honorary Federal Treasurer of the Vietnamese Community in Australia, since 2000, participant of the Wollongong Living Books Program and also involved in fundraising for various Illawarra, interstate and international appeals.

However, that’s not where her service ends, having been founder, principal and a registered tax agent of Teresa Tran and Associates since 1993, a CPA Australia fellow since 2015 and member since 1995, and having received awards from the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra in 2013 and 2020.