The former local Labor MP John Kerin has been made an Officer (AO) in the general division of the Order of Australia after being named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Kerin, pictured, who represented south west Sydney in the seat of Werriwa and was a member of Bob Hawke’s cabinet in the 1980 and 1990s, received the honour for “distinguished service to primary industry through roles in agricultural research administration, to the minerals and natural resources sector, and to science-industry linkages and policy’’.
Kerin wasn’t the only former politician named this year.
Former Liberal Party NSW upper house member Charlie Lynn received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the people and Parliament of New South Wales.
Lynn, of Camden, served on the Legislative Council during 1995-2015 and over four years he was parliamentary secretary for Veterans Affairs, during 2011-2015.
He also served as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Stephen Anthony Reeves, of Glen Alpine, received an OAM for service to rugby league and to the community.
As did the late Graham Bryce Wallace, of Tahmoor for service to people with a disability and to the community.
He was president of Wollondilly Riding for the Disabled Association during 1986-2017 and Wollondilly citizen of the year in 2000.
Other locals included in the list include Darryl Charles Wright, of Airds, who received an AM, and made a Member in the general division of the order.
Mr Wright received his honour for significant service to the Indigenous community of New South Wales, particularly in the areas of health and welfare and to sport.
Also receiving an AM was Dr Teresa Maree Anderson, of Campbelltown, for service to community health, and to public administration in New South Wales, as a clinician, manager and health service executive.
Dr Anderson has been the chief executive of the Sydney Local Health District since 2011 and is a board member of HealthShare.
She was the General Manager of Liverpool Hospital between 2002 and 2006.
She sits on a number of health boards, including the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research.
Mr Peter John Casey, of Oakdale, also received an AM, for significant service to the performing arts through contributions to musical theatre as a conductor and musical director.
Service includes being the musical director with a range of musical theatre productions including:
Opera Australia’s Anything Goes, 2015 and The King and I, 2014.
Also, Gordon Frost Organisation’s The Sound of Music, Annie The Musical and The Main Event.
Mr Casey is the current musical advisor of New Musicals Australia Assessment Panel, Hayes Theatre.
He was the musical supervisor for The Sound of Music in 2016 and Grease in 2013.
John was a great local member as well as the universally accepted as one of the best Ministers of Primary Industry ever to hold this portfolio. I was privileged to be an important part of his campaigns to be elected and he spent many nights at my place to save his meanie campaign funds. Apart from his a great ability he was renowned for his great sense of dry humour. Congratulations John.
Well Deserved John