Outstanding Canberrans Celebrated in Australia Day Honours

Over 30 Extraordinary Canberrans are being recognized on the 26th, for giving back to their communities.

The Order of Australia Honors have been handed down, and many winners are still in a state of shock, despite their obvious achievement.

One such winner is Dr. Charlotte Galloway, who is being recognized for her ongoing work in Myanmar, in history and education.

‘ It’s such a shock, to be recognized in this way for something I feel like I just do’, she says.

With the ongoing military coup in the country, many are struggling to obtain their education, lacking the stability needed to simply go to school. Dr. Galloway hopes the recognition of her work will help those in need.’

‘ I hope it does, and acknowledge that it is so difficult for so many people, turns their life upside down’, she says.

Standing alongside her, is Sarah McGorman, an advocate for people suffering from rare cancers, and a cancer patient herself. She’s been awarded due to her ongoing service community health.

While going through a cancer journey herself, she realized the lack of treatment available to people like her,

‘(It’s) something that’s happened organically over the last few years, what started as helping out other patients with the same cancer that I have’, she says.

Now the urge to fight, to ensure that people have what they need is what motivates her, even when things are tough,

‘there are so many people in Australia who are going through the same thing, the same challenges, the same limited treatment options, which ultimately motivates me when I’m not feeling like myself’, she says.

Officer of the Order of Australia recipient Gregory Hood has had a 43-year career in Aviation and Transport, plus continuous volunteer work says it’s an honor, but also an opportunity to reflect.

‘I’ve had a fantastic life, and I’m really glad for those who have mentored me’ he says.

Over his 43-year career, he helped write some 530 transport safety reports and is currently deputy chair of Airservices Australia.

His charity and community work are also extensive, he’s been the champion of the St Vincent’s Sleepout, a crisis support worker with Lifeline since 2020, and a voluntary guide with the War Memorial.

Meanwhile, Fiona Godfrey, current Principal of Radford, is being awarded an Order of Australia for her service to primary and secondary education, she says it makes her long days seem worthwhile.

‘When you’ve got another board meeting, and there’s work to do on top of your other work, it gives you a sense that you’re giving back to the community not only locally but nationally’, she says.

Godfrey is a part of numerous boards, including Anglican Schools Australia, where she helped look after over 200 schools across the country.

 

We’re in awe of these extraordinary Canberrans, and with schedules like theirs, they deserve all the praise awarded to them!

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