source : the age
Former NSW Labor premier turned lobbyist Morris Iemma, veteran broadcaster Fran Kelly, and the chief custodian of Sydney’s historic Pyrmont Bridge are among 949 Australians recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Iemma, who was the state’s 40th premier before he quit politics in 2008, was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to the people of NSW, community sport and the non-profit sector.
Iemma said the award – which is the second-highest honour in the Order of Australia – was a “bit of a surprise”, but one he was “deeply honoured” to receive.
Iemma’s twin roles as a registered lobbyist with his firm, Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory, and a senior Labor figure have stirred controversy since the ALP won the 2023 state election.
But the award recognised his involvement with charities including Miracle Babies, which supports families of premature infants, and the Usman Khawaja Foundation, which supports families experiencing disadvantage in a bid to change children and young people’s cricketing prospects.
“I think my time in public office equipped me very well to help the charities and community groups I’ve been involved in,” he said.
Further from the spotlight, Darlinghurst’s David Glasson received the Public Service Medal for his outstanding service to the operation, maintenance and conservation of Pyrmont Bridge, which is the world’s oldest surviving electrically operated swing span bridge, for nearly four decades.
Glasson, who is supervisor of bridge maintenance, trained in marine and mechanical engineering and started work on the bridge in 1987, when the swing mechanism failed after a major revamp.
He diagnosed and repaired faults that had eluded contractors and engineers, and he has since overseen the complex structure’s daily functioning, as well as all mechanical and structural restoration works.
“I’m humbled that someone would think I’m deserving of such an award,” Glasson said.
“I’m proud that I’ve kept it going this long, and it still keeps going. It’s an asset for the state and the people of the state.”
The heritage-listed bridge – for which there is no manual or spare parts – opened in 1902.
It has swung open 34,823 times since Glasson started work in the late 1980s, and seven operators on a roster currently use old tram-like controls to open and close the span about 600 times a year.
“It’s like a car. You put a car together, and it drives. But you’ve got to maintain it, you’ve got to service the wheels, you’ve got to service the engine – a bridge is the same, except bigger.”
Glasson said he often hosted tours of the structure for bridge enthusiasts and international delegations, often engineers, keen to glean tips about maintenance, funding and staff training.
General Electric workers from the United States have also visited their company’s early handiwork in the control cabin or the massive engines hanging under the footpath in the middle of the structure.
Glasson’s award citation said his rare expertise in mechanical conservation had established him as the bridge’s principal custodian: “His role has required exceptional technical judgement and constant vigilance to ensure the bridge operates safely at the heart of Sydney Harbour,” it said.
The award also recognised Glasson’s commitment to training apprentices, tradespeople, engineers and Indigenous youth, and for contributing to a broader understanding of engineering heritage.
“I could sit here and push paper all day and look at a big gearbox, but anyone can do that. You have to train people to maintain the bridge, to look after it, appreciate it and make everyone grow.
“That’s what it’s all about. Every day is a learning day. Learn it and own it.”
Political journalist Fran Kelly was made an Officer for distinguished service to broadcast journalism. Kelly, who hosted ABC Radio National’s Breakfast program from 2005 to 2021, was also recognised for her efforts to advance social justice, equality, and advocacy for the LGBTQ community.
Professor Tim Entwisle, a botanist and a former executive director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust in Sydney, was also made an Officer. He was recognised for distinguished service to environmental conservation, botanical sciences, the media, tertiary education and the community.
He was the director and chief executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Victoria and director of conservation, living collections and estates at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London.
They were among 40 people named as Officers in this year’s birthday honours, and 475 people were awarded an Order of Australia Medal. Five people were appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia – the highest honour – including Professor Bill Rawlinson. Rawlinson, a senior medical virologist at NSW Health Pathology, was honoured for his eminent service to the medical sciences, to clinical research and education, and to national and international public health.
Former senator Natasha Stott-Despoja received a Companion of the Order of Australia. Professor Katie Allen, the former Liberal member for the federal seat of Higgins and a prominent paediatrician, was posthumously appointed an Officer following her death, age 59, last December.
Of the 949 awards issued for the King’s Birthday, 703 were civilian honours, 34 were military honours, 149 were for meritorious service and 63 were conspicuous decorations. The number of awards increased from 830 last year.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said: “The work of our award recipients, and the contributions of the thousands of Australians who have been nominated and recognised throughout the history of our honours system, is something we can take great pride in celebrating.”
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