QJA Journal Autumn 2020

Australia Day Awards Each year on Australia Day many people throughout the country are recognised by the Governor-General for their outstanding achievements. This year a number of QJA people have been awarded in the various Order of Australia categories for their service to the community. The QJA wishes to congratulate all the following for their success and contribution to society.

COMPANION (AC) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION In fact, this year our Patron, the Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes, was awarded the highest honour, Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) which is awarded for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large. The QJA has sent a message of thanks to Her Honour on her achievement and thanking her for her continued patronage of our organisation.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION Two QJA members were awarded in this division - Mrs Trina Hockley AM, for significant service to the community and to business; and Mr Barry Kelly AM for significant service to the mining and minerals sectors, and to business.

Trina Hockley AM

Trina’s volunteering has seen accolades as an Outstanding Volunteer to the Indigenous Community and has received a 20-year Leadership Award from the City of Gold Coast. She is an avid advocate for youth education and development and Gold Coast sport and business. Trina is a well-respected business owner of the L & M Group of Companies and an experienced, qualified non-executive director with a background in education training, sport, employment, retail and governance (BHMS, GMQ, FAICD JP (Qual)). Highly sought after for both her business and governance acumen, she is on the board of TAFE Qld, is the past Chair and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company

Directors (AICD) Gold Coast committee. She is also Chair of Arcadia College, Ohana for Youth and the Spot Academy, Trina sits on the board of The Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and Sports Gold Coast. Trina cofounded Women in Power to mentor other women and is a member of the Qld Government’s Mentoring for Growth. While Trina is a relatively new JP, she is keen to provide services where she can and support the community through yet another volunteering avenue.

Barry Kelly AM

Barry Kelly AM, proudly lists JP(Qual) as one of his many educational qualifications. With a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years he is a high-profile leader in the minerals and resources sector in Australia, Asia, Europe and South America, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School. From humble beginnings as a trainee accountant, Barry rose to the position of General Manager Coal Marketing, selling Queensland coal to more than 80 companies in 30 countries. Since then Barry has made an extremely successful transition from management into the boardroom and says the greatest challenge for many board members lies in their ability to understand the distinction between governance and management. He has distinguished himself in the boardroom and was awarded the Gold Medal 2011 by the Queensland Division, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Four of our members were awarded in this division; Mrs Julie Arthur OAM, for service to local government and to the community of the Fraser Coast; Peter Boyes for services to the community of Queensland; Mr Umesh Chandra, for service to the multicultural community of Queensland; and Mrs Valerie Rooney for service to war widows, and to the community of Logan.

Valerie Rooney OAM Val Rooney was in Adelaide on Australia Day 2020, busy with family, blissfully unaware that she had been named in the Australia Day Honours list. It wasn’t until 4pm that it was suggested she ‘google herself’ and might be happy with the result. “It was such a humbling experience to be recognised by her community for work she is so happy to do” said Val. Many of QJA’s Logan Branch members will be familiar with Val as she was one of the founding members of the Branch. A JP of 40

years standing, Val has provided outstanding service and assistance to the local Queensland Police Service, issuing warrants at 1am, accompanying the police on searches, and interviews with minors whenever asked. Australian War Widows Queensland have also benefited from Val’s volunteer and community spirit, where she has been a Director since 2016. Val has been recognised previously as she was named Senior of the Year, Queensland Premier’s Award, in 2009 and Queensland Volunteer Senior of the Year, 2016.

Peter Boyes OAM

A returned serviceman, armed with a law degree, Peter focused his post military career on the justice system.

A JP since 1987, and longterm member of the QJA, Peter was a powerhouse behind the QJA Toowoomba Branch for many years before retiring to the Gold Coast. Peter has given many hours of support to his professional JP colleague as Trainer, Assessor and Mentor, as well as supporting his community by establishing the Clifford Gardens JPs in the Community signing desk. He now shares his volunteer time between approving bail at the Southport Courthouse and the local shopping centre JP signing desk.

Peter also supports ex-service men and women and is Director of the Southport Returned and Services League of Australia Sub Branch.

Julie Arthur OAM

Julie has given 40 years’ service as a JP and has served her local community as an elected member of the local government, most recently as Deputy Mayor of Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2010.

She is a keen supporter of women in local government, having held all executive positions on the Queensland Branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association.

She is patron of the Fraser Coast Agricultural Society and holds executive positions on many local associations including Maryborough Zonta Club and Maryborough Masters Games. She has distinguished herself in her community roles and has been awarded life membership with a range of associations. Despite leading such a busy life, Julie also finds time to volunteer at the local JP signing site.

Umesh Chandra is President and founding member of the Queensland Multicultural Council which promotes harmony between people from all backgrounds and religious groups.

Umesh is owner of the Australian Indian Radio and publisher of the Brisbane Indian Times. He is the multicultural advisor to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane and the Police Commissioner.

Recognised for his strong community commitments, he jointly with his wife Usha, was awarded the Brisbane City Council’s Citizen of the Year award in 2019.

When asked about the inspiration behind his service-tothe-community attitude, Umesh says, “I attribute it to my parents who instilled in me the essence of community work.”

AUSTRALIAN CORRECTIONS MEDAL (ACM) This medal recognises distinguished service by an operational member of an Australian state or territory civilian corrections service. Robyn Ernst was awarded in this division.

Robyn Ernst ACM

Robyn has been with Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) since 1995. She is recognised for her distinguished service to QCS, her dedication to community safety, and her commitment to the management, rehabilitation and successful reintegration of female offenders. Throughout her 24-year career with QCS she has been dedicated to improving outcomes for female prisoners.

She is committed to strengthening the connections between female prisoners, their children, and their families. She has implemented a number of family programs at the Helena Jones Centre, including the delivery of low security custody with female prisoners, integrating mothers and babies parenting programs; the Circle of Security program; SHINE for Kids; Children’s Health and early development programs; and school holiday programs.

She is also committed to creating work programs and community service projects that offer female prisoners’ real-world opportunities to develop life and employment skills. Positive outcomes are being achieved on a daily basis for women prisoners participating in these programs.