King honours 10 from Moreton Bay
A host of remarkable past and present Moreton Bay residents, volunteers and coaches have been recognised in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours.
John Rodgers, AO
Former Redcliffe and Albany Creek swimming coach John Rodgers has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AO) in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The citation, recognising John’s 58 remarkable years in the sport, says it is for “significant service to swimming as a high-performance coach”.
Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said it was “wonderful recognition” for JR , now in his mid-80s and head coach at Noosa Aquatic Centre (NAC).
John said he “couldn’t believe” he’d been nominated for such an honour, but is still loves a job which has taken him to five Olympic Games, numerous major championships, a host of medals and records.
It all started when JR – whose father was “good swimmer” - returned from overseas and became a lifeguard at Maroubra, NSW.
From there he progressed to coaching at the Australian Institute of Sport 1983-1986 and from 1995-2009 produced a host of Olympic stars at Redcliffe Memorial Pool and Albany Creek Leisure Centre.
JR coached the Canadian team at the London 2012 Olympics and joined NAC in 2013. He was made a Life Member of Queensland Coaches Association in 2021 and has been Australian Open Water Coach of the Year from 2020-2024.
JR’s Olympic journey began in 1976 when Australia’s team at Montreal included Max Metzker in the 400m and 1500m freestyle.
Metzker was joined at Moscow 1980 by three other JR-coached swimmers, including Michelle Ford who won 800m freestyle gold and 200m butterfly bronze.
Graeme Brewer took bronze in the 200m freestyle, Metzker bronze in 1500m freestyle and Ron McKeon was in the 200m, 400m and 4x200m freestyle relay.
Four years later at Los Angeles 1984, Brewer just missed a relay medal at Los Angeles 1984.
In Beijing 2008, Kylie Palmer and Bronte Barratt, both coached by Rodgers at Albany Creek, struck gold with a world record in the 4x200m freestyle relay and Leith Brody helped the men’s relay squad to two bronze medals.
Kareena Lee, based at NAC, won bronze in the 10km open water at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, where club colleague Nick Sloman competed.
Rebecca Creedy was with Rodgers’ at Redcliffe when she won 100m freestyle bronze and 4x100m freestyle relay gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Under JR, open water swimmer Trent Grimsey broke world and English Channel records and Sloman took six surf titles and six Australian open water crowns.
Joyce Skelton, OAM
Joyce Skelton’s lifetime of “service to music education” has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
“I’m absolutely delighted and so honoured,” the Albany Creek resident said, “it’s wonderful to be remembered after all these years.”
“It wasn’t something I was expecting. I had no idea anyone was doing this for me!”
In a remarkable career spanning more than 60 years, Joyce has done everything from playing and teaching to being a lecturer, consultant and music advisor.
She is an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Music Examinations Board with which Joyce was a music consultant from 1990-2016, former editor, reviewer and federal examiner and member of the Queensland Advisory Committee 1999-2010.
Joyce did adjudications from 1961-2007 covering an area as far north as Cairns and south to Grafton, NSW.
She was president of the Queensland Music Teachers Association from 1974-76 and vice-president and has been a Life Member since 2006.
Joyce is also a former assessor, distance education for University of Queensland and former lecturer Studio Music at QUT.
She taught piano, theory and musicianship at Taringa from 1951-1998 and piano pedagogy at Albany Creek 1999-2015.
Joyce was an accompanist with Queensland Ladies Choir, pianist at Arana Hills Uniting Church 2000-2023 and organist at Taringa Uniting Church 1968-2000.
She was also conductor, manager, accompanist and in the choir at AVEO Village in Albany Creek from 2009-2021.
John Gerlach, OAM
John Gerlach, from Deception Bay, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his “service to education” for almost 60 years.
He started as a secondary school teacher in 1961 and stepped down as chair of Grace Lutheran College in 2020, having held the position since 1988.
When stepping down as chair, Principal David Radke wrote in a tribute that John had been “an outstanding servant of the College”.
“No citation or applause will encapsulate the hours of work that John has voluntarily given to Grace College, a truly remarkable gift from John to us.”
John, who settled in Redcliffe in 1966 with his wife after they met in London, said he was “overwhelmed” to have been nominated and awarded an OAM.
In 1972 John joined the investigative (later establishment) committee for a new Grace secondary school to complement Grace Primary at Clontarf.
Driven by Viv Kuhl, the campaign led to Grace Lutheran College opening at the primary school site in 1978, before moving to Rothwell in 1980.
At the time John was teaching (geography and ancient history) at Caboolture State High School, where he remained for 29 years, but with a growing interest in governance.
John has been a member of Grace Lutheran since 1982 and helped develop the College's Strategic Vision for its Googa Outdoor Education Centre, near Blackbutt, from 1987-1998.
He was chair of Grace Lutheran Creche and Kindergarten 1973-1977, on Grace Lutheran Primary School Committee 1974-1977 and chair 1977-1982 and has been a member of Grace Lutheran since 1982.
John’s work was recognised with a Certificate of Service and Excellence for Contribution to Grace Lutheran in 1996.
There was a Certificate of Appreciation for 20 Years' Service in 2007 and for 35 Years Service in 2015 and Certificate for Service as Chair of Council in 2020.
John was also on the Prince of Peace Lutheran Secondary Investigation Committee 2007-2008 and Lutheran Education Queensland Schools Council Committee 1999-2005.
He was on the Living Faith Primary School Investigation Committee 1999-2000 and a secondary school teacher from 1961 to the 1980s.
Michelle Watson, OAM
Michelle Watson, from Bongaree, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
The official award citation says it was “for service to the community of Bribie Island”.
Michelle co-founded and has been chair of the Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council since 2020.
She is also a cultural advisor to Weaving Waters @ Yarum which builds connections between the local creative and environment community organisations.
Michelle co-founded and is Master of Ceremonies for the Changing the Narrative community event as well as a volunteer for the Youth Advocacy Centre.
She is also Cultural Advisor for Bribie Island Nature Festival, held over three days with arts, cultural and science events including visual arts exhibitions.
And a contributor to The Bribie Project, run by Council, to increase “young people’s sense of belonging and provide activities for young people that live work and play on Bribie Island and surrounds”.
"I'm really humbled that the Bribie Island Community nominated me for OAM,” Michelle said.
“I want to mention the very important work of Kristine Ellis and all the Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council Inc team to share culture, support young people and for ongoing reconciliation.”
Greg Rollason, OAM
Bongaree resident Greg Rollason has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for decades of “service to the community of Moreton Bay”.
He has been heavily involved with the Lions for more than 25 years, as well as church, sport, neighbourhood watch and school organisations.
“It was fantastic news when I was told of the award,” Greg said.
“My brother Russell was awarded an OA back in 2002, so for the family it is great news - unfortunately both our parents have passed. This does give a purpose to my volunteering as it will continue.”
In 2016 Greg was a charter member of Sandstone Point Lions Club and is currently president and a life member.
He was president of Bribie Island Lions Club 2013 and a member 2011-2016, as well as president of Brisbane Bunya Lions 2007-2008 and member 2000-2011.
Greg has been a member of the Lions Club of Australia since 2000 and is currently manager and chair of Camp Duckadang, west of Jimna.
He was also district Governor for Lions District Q3 2014-2015 and Zone Chairman 2009-2010.
Greg’s received the Barry J Palmer Fellowship Award and Professor Ian Frazer Humanitarian Award from Lions Clubs International Foundation in 2014.
Also, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the same foundation in 2011 and James D Richardson Honour Award from Lions Club of Brisbane in 2010.
Greg was awarded Lion of the Year by Brisbane Bunya Lions in 2005 and received a Gold Award and badge from
Greg has been church warden and a parish councillor at St Peter’s Anglican Church for many years and is chair of East Pumicestone Community Support Association, which he helped start in 2018.
He has been a co-ordinator with Neighbourhood Watch Bongaree Bribie Island since 2014 and received the Gold Award and badge.
Greg is also a life member of Commercial Hockey Club, at Wilston, where he was president 1988-1994 and was president of Oakleigh Primary School P&C in Brisbane 1977-1982.
Professor Gary Crew, OAM
Gary Crew, from Bribie Island, has received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his “service to literature as an author”.
The Sylvan Beach resident, who writes young adult fiction, has produced more than 80 internationally published novels and illustrated books.
Gary said his award in the King’s Birthday Honours is “the cherry on the top of my career”.
He has been Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast for 20 years and is co-patron of the Fellowship of Australian Writers Queensland.
Gary has also been a facilitator of national and international writing and literature workshops.
Other accolades include the Wilderness Society’s Award for Environmental Writing for Extinction Series in 2004 and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction with Beneath the Surface in 2005.
Gary won the American Children’s Book of Distinction Angels Gate in 1993 and Ned Kelly Award for Crime Writing in 1997.
He received the Children’s Book of the Year: Picture Book – First Light in 1994 and The Watertower in 1995.
Gary also won the Children’s Book of the Year Award: Older Readers with Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1994.
In 1991 Strange Objects won the Alan Marshall Prize for Children’s Literature and the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award.
Gary has also received the Whitley Award from the Royal Geographical Society.
He has been a member of Bribie Island Historical Society and is a former pastoral carer at Maranatha retirement village in Kallangur.
The late Neville Galbraith, OAM
Neville Galbraith, who lived at Deception Bay, has received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his “service to lawn bowls and to veterans”.
“Nev”, who died in 2023 aged 78, was an officer bearer at Deception Bay Bowls Club 1997-2023 and Brisbane North District Bowls Association 2002-2023.
He was also with Bowls Queensland for more than 20 years holding a wide variety of positions.
“Bowls Queensland are pleased to hear of the honour of OAM bestowed on Neville “Nev” Galbraith,” Brett Wilkie, CEO of Bowls Queensland, said.
“Nev devoted many years to Bowls Queensland spanning from 2006 – 2017 in roles including Men’s Section President, Board Director, Men’s Section Committee, Match Committee Co-Ordinator and Committee Member.
“He also devoted much time to roles with the Brisbane North District Bowls Association and the Deception Bay Bowls Club”.
For 16 years, Nev was also an office bearer with South-East Queensland Bowls Association.
Away from bowls, he was president, vice-president, treasurer (14 years) and inaugural member 1993-2023 of the 105th Battery, Australian Artillery Association.
This followed service from 1962-1982 in the Australian Army, for which he received the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 with Clasp Vietnam.
The late Jocelyn Templeton, OAM
Jocelyn Templeton, who was a volunteer at Club Pine Rivers, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The OAM was given to Mrs Templeton for her “service to veterans and their families, and to the community”.
From 2013-2023 she helped Club Pine Rivers when it hosted the Bowls Premier League (BPL). Husband Gary was a club member until he passed in 2017.
She was a member and Membership Officer of Banyo Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) from 2002-2024.
Mrs Templeton was Assistant Treasurer 2014-2018, Secretary of the Sub-Branch Board, Grants Officer and was made a life member in 2012.
She was treasurer 2013-2024 and president 2005-2006 of Banyo Sub-Branch and Citizens Auxilliary Pension and Welfare Team and District Secretary of Brisbane North Council of Auxilliaries, Queensland Branch of the RSL of Australia.
Mrs Templeton was also a secretary, manager and volunteer at Banyo Football Club and volunteered with the Leukemia Foundation, Queensland Bowls and Meals on Wheels Banyo.
Stuart McHaffie, ACM
Stuart McHaffie has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for his “distinguished service as a member of the Australian correctional service”.
He received an Australian Correctional Medal (ACM) for “significant contributions” throughout his career with Queensland Corrective Services (QCS).
Mr McHaffie is described in the award announcement as being “truly representative of a modern, contemporary leader within QCS”.
This was “notably as General Manager at Woodford Correctional Centre” where Mr McHaffie introduced the Drug Disruption Strategy.
This saw a substantial reduction in drugs and “contraband” at WFDCC and led to Mr McHaffie leading the state-wide Drug Disruption Working Group.
Operation Certitude was one of the most complex projects in QCS history starting with the transition of Aurthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC) at Wacol.
Mr McHaffie liaised between QCS and CEO Group Australia staff, in a significant industrial consultation process, to ensure AGCC’s successful transition.
He has represented QCS in the State Health Emergency Co-ordination Centre and during COVID helped ensure frontline workers returned swiftly to AGCC.
Graham Swannell, OAM
Newport resident Graham Swannell has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to aeronautical engineering”.
He is co-founder and was Chief Executive Officer of Aeronautical Engineers Australia for 31 years from 1979 to 2010,
Mr Swannell is currently a board member of Explore Aircraft and has been a member of Engineers Australia since 1974.
He also played trumpet in the West Australian Symphony Orchestra from 1970-1975.