When Bob Shewring’s time in the army came to an end, it was just the beginning of his service to the community.
Being appointed to the Order of Australia is a recognition of his volunteering and mentoring which continued long after his tours ended.
“Volunteering for a lot of things is called the art of death, but I firmly believe it’s not,” he said.
“I think there are people who say, ‘What can I do? How can I help?’
“Volunteering is a wonderful thing … I do it because I want to make a difference … just look at what you can do today to make a difference.”
Shewring says she believes volunteering remains a key part of Australian life. (ABC News: Elias Clure)
Mr Shewring, President of Veterans Australia NT, has been recognized on the Queen’s 2022 Anniversary Honor Roll after tirelessly advocating for the mental health of veterans and emergency services staff.
“We try our best to help and assist in suicide prevention,” he said.
“Not just veterans: emergency services, police, firefighters, border forces, immigration … and we have long advocated the construction of a 10-bed hospital in the Northern Territory.”
Persistence and vision
Bob Richards and Julie Tyson of Humpty Doo Barramundi have been appointed to the Order of Australia. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)
The husband and wife team of Bob Richards and Julie Tyson built their barramundi farm from covered rice along the Adelaide River in Top End.
The operation initially had no running water or road access at all times. Now, it is the second largest of its kind in the world.
After being appointed to the Order of Australia, the couple says their business growth has been helped by countless others over the years and that the results are a business the community can be proud of.
Julie Tyson and Bob Richards at their business in rural Darwin. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)
“We’re doing this for the community”
Detective Sergeant Annette Cooper received the Australian Police Medal in recognition of her 38 years of service to the Northern Territory Police.
Like all territories nominated by her comrades for the Queen’s birthday honors, she is proud to be part of a team.
“There are so many members who work hard, and being recognized by them is just a great honor,” he said.
“I know how they work, because I’ve been with them. We’re a team and we get it.
“I am very honored to be part of this team and to receive this recognition.”
Annette Cooper has served in NT police for nearly four decades. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)
‘A voice for our children’
Learne Dunne has been involved in distance education as a teacher and principal for over 20 years.
“Education is often driven by adults and what are the voices of adults,” he said.
“So a very important part of my learning has been to allow all children to have a voice.
“To curb what we think is schooling and listen to our community about what they want for their children.”
Ms. Dunne says education improves when adults stop and pay attention to communities and their children. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
Like her colleagues who received the honors of the Queen of the Territory’s birthday, Mrs. Dunne paid tribute to her mentors.
“Most of my mentors are my lifelong friends,” he said.
“And then there are those people who are mentors because they have challenged me.
“They’ve helped keep me curious about what I’m doing, and especially why I’m doing it.”
Compassion and professionalism
For Andrew Thomas, the director of St Johns ambulance services during the pandemic, receiving the Ambulance Service Medal was all about recognizing all the health workers behind the scenes.
“No individual could have managed our response, especially at COVID,” he said.
“I must acknowledge the hard work of our staff and volunteers during the time we have been managing the pandemic.
“Despite the pressure and personal impacts, the staff came to work, gave more than they needed, to ensure that as a community we could manage what was probably the biggest health crisis of our lives.”