Buxton resident Kim Hill has been recognised for her pivotal role during the devastating Wollondilly bushfires in 2019 and its aftermath.
Ms Hill has received an OAM in the 2023 King’s Birthday Order of Australia honours.
Ms Hill played a key leadership role in the recovery from the fires, including establishing the community recovery hub in the Balmoral village hall in 2020 and a memorial fire truck playground.
As a fire volunteer with the Buxton brigade she was involved in fighting the Green Wattle Creek fire.
Then Ms Hill helped raise more than $200,000 for the memorial fire truck playground in Telopea Park dedicated to the two firefighters who lost their lives trying to protect the community.
Ms Hill is also the co-ordinator of the memorial playground.
She was one of six South Western Sydney residents who were named in the 2023 honours and received an OAM.
Among the list was long time Camden music teacher Heather Bieman, who was a teacher at Camden High School in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
Ms Bieman, who was the co-ordinator of the annual Camden community carols for 20 years, founded the Amazing Grace Academy of Performing Excellence in 2004.
Wattle Grove resident Vinod Daniel received his OAM for services to conservation and the environment.
He is the chairman of AusHeritage and served as vice chairman of the Committee for Conservation, International Council of Museums, 2008-2014.
Robert and Ruth Grimson, Liverpool community stalwarts over many decades, also both received an OAM.
The Grimsons received their awards for their service to the community of Liverpool in various roles, including the local Lions club, Liverpool hospital and Meals on Wheels.
Also among the recipients from South Western Sydney was Ruth Stewart, the founding president of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Camden 15 years ago.
A member of the Women’s Ministry, Camden Baptist Church, she has also been a bible teacher and presenter of the Christian Women Communicating International since 1979.
