Three members of the wider Canowindra community were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List
David Cullane, known around town for his service to Australia as a war vetran and vital role in the RSL Sub-Branch, was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. David previously earned an Order of Australia Medal.
David’s history of service is extensive, as he joined the Rivers Brigade in the Cowra Fire District in 1951, which began a career that would span more than 70 years. In 1984, he was elected Group Captain, managing five brigades in the Rivers Group. Today, he is the Brigade President, a role he has held for the past decade and has cemented the Brigade’s future by donating land for the Rivers Brigade Station.
Federal Member for Calare, The Hon Andrew Gee MP praised recipients of the Queen’s Birthday Honours and particularly four recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia awards and three meritorious awards in the Calare Elector-ate.
“Pursuing excellence, showing courage and being kind; these are the values which Australians hold dear and are abundant in communities across the Central West,” said Andrew. “We must recognise members of our region who always go the extra mile and whose stories inspire others to greater and better deeds.”
“Today is our opportunity to celebrate our local heroes whose contributions to community and country have been recognised with a Queen’s Birthday Honour,” Andrew said.
Among those honoured with an Order of Australia Medal were Cowra native Kaye Chapman and Gulgong lady Susan Nicholls. Kaye, who now lives in Orange, was recognised for her service to the community of Cowra, having been a Cowra Community Chest Committee member since 2003 and manager of the Cowra Community Markets for the past five years. Susan Nicholls is the President of the Gulgong Country Women’s Association, having been a member for more than two decades. Susan is also a committee member of the Gulgong Pioneers’ Museum and Historical Society, where she is a volunteer researcher.
“On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to congratulate all of those from our region who were honoured today and thank them for their wonderful contribution to our nation,” Andrew finished.