WIN Corporation owner Bruce Gordon, who has been recognised in the King’s Birthday honours list. Photo: Sylvia Liber.
A broadcast and property mogul, distinguished trauma nurse, rugby league commentator, Scottish dance teacher and a guitarist are among the Illawarra and South Coast recipients of King’s Birthday honours.
Some 830 Australians have been recognised in today’s honours list with Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
Coledale’s Professor Kate Curtis received an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to trauma and emergency nursing.
“This honour is the culmination of the efforts of the many people I work with; I just happen to be the person leading and pulling it together,” she said.
Ex-pat and owner of WIN Corporation Bruce Gordon also received an AO for distinguished service to the media and television industries and as a benefactor for sports and the arts, while Geoffrey Stapleton, from Lake Tabourie, received one for his distinguished service to engineering in the renewable and sustainable energy sector and to training and development.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honours recognised the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity and care that flourished across Australia.
“Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy and resolve,” she said.
“To all who are being recognised in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia – and I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.”
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Bruce Gordon, AO
Bruce Gordon purchased a controlling interest in Television Wollongong Transmission Ltd (WIN Television) in 1979 and developed the Wollongong television station into the WIN Corporation.
It’s now a diverse media company with investments extending across the broadcasting and telecommunications industries, property and beyond. WIN Network is the world’s largest privately owned regional television network.
Bruce said he was honoured by the recognition, which he described as “both humbling and deeply meaningful”.
“Throughout my life, I have been privileged to work in an industry I love, supporting the communities and causes that have shaped me” he said.
“From my earliest days in television, I have believed in the power of media to inform, inspire and connect people. Through WIN, the commitment to news is something I taken great pride in.
“I am proud to have contributed to the Australian media landscape and to support the incredible talent and innovation within it.
“Equally important to me has been the opportunity to give back – to journalism, the arts, sport and to the Illawarra community which I have always held close.
“Supporting young journalists through scholarships, strengthening local arts and theatre, and investing in the future of our sporting teams has brought me great satisfaction.”
The Bruce Gordon scholarship for journalism has been awarded to a Wollongong University student since 2017.
Geoffrey Stapleton, AO
In 1998, Geoffrey founded International Training for Global Sustainable Energy Solutions, where he is Director of International Training.
It is regarded as one of Australia’s leading renewable energy engineering, consulting and training organisations.
He is the executive officer of Sustainable Energy Industry Association of Pacific Islands, which aims to raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable energy to the region.
Geoffrey was a founding member of the Clean Energy Council, initiated and chaired the Solar World Congress 50 in 2020 and is chair of the Australian Government Department of Industry, Resources and Tourism.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division
Michael Bate, AM
Michael received his honour for significant service to surf lifesaving and to business.
He now lives in Sydney where he’s been president of Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club since 2021, but his love for surf lifesaving started at Towradgi in 1968.
He continued through the Illawarra ranks, joining Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club in 1972 where he became president from 1982-1986. He held a number of positions with the Illawarra branch from 1978 to 1987, including branch president.
Michael is a life member of Surf Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving NSW and has been a referee official with both organisations.
Michael Bate. Photo: Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club.
Henry Gardiner, AM
Dr Henry Gardiner of Tura Beach near Merimbula has received an AM for his significant service to the community through a range of organisations and to education.
His association with Rotary extends back to 1973 at Goulburn. He has served at an international and local level, where he has held positions including district governor, president and committee member.
He has a long connection with Charles Sturt University, including a role as dean of studies, and before that held teaching and executive roles at Riverina College of Advanced Education/Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division
The late Gerry Doyle, OAM
Gerald (Gerry) Doyle, who passed away in July last year, was honored with an OAM for service to the community of the Illawarra.
Gerry was known to thousands of Illawarra students who he taught at Corrimal and Woonona high schools. He was sports teacher and sportsmaster at Woonona from 1965 to 1976, and also taught English and history from 1977 to 1993.
Since 1993, Woonona High has presented the G M Doyle award for the greatest contribution to the school by a junior student.
Gerry was also well known for his association with rugby league and union and his long career (1965-1990) as a commentator with ABC Illawarra.
He wrote two books on rugby union – The Game they Play in 2015 and Nursery of Champions, part of Illawarra Rugby centenary celebrations in 2011 – as well as On Common Ground: A history of the Wollongong Showground and WIN Entertainment Centre and Stadium complex 1830-2008.
Deborah Hutton wears one of the hats designed by her company, Canopy Bay. Photo: Canopy Bay.
Deborah Hutton, OAM
Former model, media personality and TV host Deborah Hutton, who now calls Thirroul home, was awarded an OAM for her service to community health and to media.
Deborah first appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine at just 16, but has since had a diverse career.
In 2020 Deborah survived her second significant skin cancer surgery and is now an ambassador for The Skin Hospital, Lions Australia Mobile Skin Cancer Screening initiative as well as a collaborator with Skin Check Champions.
In 2021 she launched Canopy Bay, her collection of UPF 50+ maximum sun protective hats.
She has hosted TV shows including Find Me a Beach House, Foxtel Movie Show, Looking Good, Location Location and Amazing Homes.
Brian Jackson, OAM
Farmborough Heights’ Brian Jackson has received an OAM for his service to youth through Scouts.
Brian’s association with the Baden Powell Guild, a fellowship of former Scouts and Guides, dates back 60 years. He was the Australian guild master for six years, as well as a former state guild master.
He was the former guild master of the Mt Keira branch, which was one of the first in Australia.
He was president of the National Scout and Guide Fellowship of Australia and held various positions with the organisation.
In 2020, Brian received the National President’s Award from Scouts Australia.
Kenny Kitching is one of Australia’s best players of the steel guitar. Photo: YouTube.
Kenny Kitching, OAM
Kenneth (Kenny) Kitching started playing the Hawaiian steel guitar when he was seven and is considered one of Australia’s best players of the instrument.
The Coniston man has received an OAM for service to the performing arts, particularly through music.
In 2004, Kenny was inducted into the Tamworth Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown, which recognises and salutes artists who have made a lasting and significant contribution to Australian country music.
He was also one of the first group of artists who was inducted into The Country Music Hands of Fame when it was established in Tamworth in 1977. It also honours those who have made a significant and ongoing contribution to Australian country music.
Kenny has performed alongside Australian music icons, including Frank Ifield, Jimmy Little, Slim Dusty, Judy Stone and Jade Hurley, and was made a life member of Steel Guitar Australia in the late 1970s.
John McAlary, OAM
John (Max) McAlary represented Australia in flyweight freestyle wrestling at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
The Towradgi resident has received an OAM for his service to wrestling.
According to Olympedia, Max ran a joint barber and sports shop in Unanderra, where he trained in the back room. He was defeated in his first two Olympic bouts and eliminated from the tournament.
Max was an Australian wrestling champion in the 1960s and patron of the Australian Wrestling Association from the 1980s-1990s.
He coached wrestling and weightlifting at Wollongong Police Boys Club for about two decades from the 1960s.
Arnold Thurling and daughter Jo in front of a lively Scottish country dancing group. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Arnold Thurling, OAM
Arnold Thurling has taught Scottish dance in Wollongong for the past 60 years.
He has received an OAM for his service to dance promotion and instruction.
Arthur, from West Wollongong, joined the White Heather Scottish Country Dance Club in the early 1960s and two years later became a dance teacher and club president. He’s still the club’s treasurer.
In 2005 Arnold was awarded the Sydney Branch Award from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Scotland, for Outstanding Service to Scottish Country Dancing, one of the first Australians to receive such an award.
He told Region Illawarra in December last year Scottish dancing had been a huge part of his life with his wife, Joan.
“We’ve met so many wonderful people and formed very long-lasting friendships,” he said.
Paul Tuckerman, OAM
Founding member of Thirroul Railway Institute Preservation Society Paul Tuckerman has received an OAM for his service to the Thirroul community.
Paul has been on board the railway society since 1991, was president from 1991-2020 and remains on the management committee.
The Thirroul resident was chairman of Coledale Hospital in 1982 and also served as deputy chairman and a board member, from 1973-1983.
Paul was president of the Thirroul Branch of the Australian Labor Party for more than two decades and was made a life member of the NSW branch in 2007.
His community involvement is extensive, including the Thirroul Village Committee, Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve Trust and as a former Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Vince Crawley when he was made a life member of the Illawarra Pirates. Photo: Illawarra Pirates.
Vincent Crawley, OAM
Vince Crawley was made a life member of the Illawarra Pirates baseball club in 2020.
He has received an OAM for service to the hospitality industry, and to baseball.
Vince is a past player, coach and administrator of the Pirates.
Raymond Strong, OAM
A patriarch of Berry’s Strong family dynasty, Ray Strong has been honoured for his long service to the community.
Ray has served on many and varied community and sporting associations in the town. He has been a member of the Berry RSL sub-Branch since 2005, serving as its president from 2013 to 2021.
He is a former player and life member of Berry Shoalhaven Heads Rugby League Club (the Magpies) as well as a former president and is also a life member of South Coast Group Sevens Rugby League.
Ray has been a member of Berry Apex Club since the 1960s, is a former director of Berry Bowling Club, a member of Shoalhaven and Kiama District Auto Club and former local farming representative on Berry Showground Parks Trust.
The late Randall Mark Clinch, OAM
Randall Clinch has been honoured for his service to the community through mental health wellbeing programs.
He was an advisor and facilitator for teacher/parent/student workshops across Australia, including the education departments in the ACT, Queensland and South Australia, as well as Monash and Macquarie universities.
He worked as a coach and advisor for the ACT Youth Justice Services and the Northern Territory Correctional Services.
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Belinda Mackinnon
Belinda has dedicated 40 years to TAFE NSW and is the organisation’s Executive Director of Business Enablement.
The Kiama resident has received a PSM for outstanding public service to TAFE NSW in the delivery of education and organisational leadership.
As the regional general manager of TAFE NSW’s South Region, Belinda played a role in bringing the Illawarra and Riverina institutes together as a cohesive entity.
Most recently, she has led the Education Technology Ecosystem implemented by TAFE. Through the program, she has driven technological, system, and process improvements to deliver a more seamless experience for TAFE NSW’s 400,000 learners and 10,000 teachers. Her expertise enabled the program’s scope to be expanded to encompass all major student management, enrolments, academic management, learning management, and asset management systems.
Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Andrew Sweeney
Andrew has received an Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.
He was captain of Gerringong Brigade for six years before becoming the group captain of Illawarra Brigade.
He is a member of the Illawarra/Sutherland leadership team, the Illawarra senior management team and the Bush Fire Risk Management Committee.
He is also the coordinator of the district crew leader course and coordinator and a member of the remote area firefighting team.
He conducted numerous investigations during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires, including the Green Wattle Creek fire.
Emergency Services Medal (ESM)
Ashley Sullivan
Ashley started volunteering with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) in July 1997 and has been an SES staff member since June 2010.
The Corrimal man has received an ESM for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.
He is the Senior Manager of Fleet Service and is also a volunteer member of the Kiama unit and the Kogarah unit.
He was instrumental in enhancing flood rescues across NSW following the devastating floods of 2022-23 and helped to coordinate the response of the SES following the NSW Government’s flood inquiry.
He has assisted in numerous flood rescue events across the state and led the agency’s response to the 2011 flash flooding in the Illawarra and South Coast regions, as well as the 2016 Shoalhaven region flood.
