<< Back

Queen's Birthday honours for local heroes
14th of Jun, 2010 09:10 am

Five people from the New England/north-west New South Wales are among 474 Australians who have received awards in the Queen's Birthday honours.

Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) awards have been bestowed on four individuals from Delungra, Tamworth, Moree and Armidale.

Edwina Ridgway has received her OAM for service to the community, particularly through the University of New England.

"I've truly been very humbled by this. I don't know where else you would be recognised for something that you truly love doing," she said.

Esther Halliday has been recognised for her service to the Tamworth community and to local government.

Lola Hurst has also received an OAM for service to the Moree community for her work in the north-west region's State Emergency Service.

Peta Blyth, the co-founder of Opera in the Paddock, has been acknowledged for services to the performing arts.

"The aim of Opera in the Paddock is to put first-class performers in the bush, not second-rate, nothing second-rate," she said.

An Australian Fire Service Medal has been awarded to James Flynn for a four-decade long contribution to the Tenterfield community as a retained firefighter.



© 2010 ABC News

<< Back