A dozen Anglicans in NSW have been named in the Australia Day honours list including the headmaster of Kings, Dr Tim Hawkes and the former Principal of Deaconess House, Margaret Rodgers.
Ms Rodgers was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant service to the Anglican Church of Australia through governance and representational roles, and to ecumenical affairs". Ms Rodgers was the principal of Deaconess House, Newtown between 1976-1985 and later served as the CEO of Anglican Media and Archbishop's media officer. She was also a regular commentator for the NSW Council of Churches on Radio 2CH.
Dr Hawkes has been headmaster of Kings since 1998 and was awarded the Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM) for "service to education, and to professional organisations".
Several other Anglicans were also recognised for business, community and church service.
AM honours
The Treasurer of Warrawee Anglican Church, Peter Achterstraat was given an AM for "significant service to public administration through financial management and governance roles, and to the community".
Allan Ezzy APM, of Greystanes was honoured for "significant service to local government in New South Wales, and to the community through law enforcement, church and service organisations". Mr Ezzy, has been a lay canon of St John's Cathedral, Parramatta and also a warden of the Cathedral.
Associate Professor John Overton, a member of St Philip's,York St was awarded an AM for "significant service to medicine, particularly in the area of anaesthesia, through clinical, administration and advisory roles, and to professional organisations". Dr Overton was previously awarded the Order of Australia in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his service to medicine and to the welfare of children as a paediatric anaesthetist. He also holds Defence Force Reserve decorations.
OAM recipients
Other Anglicans to receive the Medal of the Order Of Australia include Vera Abell of Mowll Village, Castle Hill for "service to the community, coordinating charitable donations". She founded a
group of volunteers who donate handmade and purchased goods to Anglicare Family Services, with donations currently totalling in excess of 40,000 items.
Philip Cooper, a member of St John's Anglican Church Beecroft was recognised for "service to the insurance industry, and to the Scouting movement".
Apart from Dr Hawkes, other honourees for the field of education include Dr Janis Milburn, a former deputy chair of the Sydney Anglican Schools' Corporation, and Headmistress, New England Girls Grammar School, 1973-1989. Michael Smee of Camperdown was Chairman, South Australian Anglican Schools' Commission, in the 1980s and later served as Headmaster of Pulteney Grammar School, Adelaide.
Margaret Spinks, was awarded an OAM for service to the community of Hunters Hill as Church Warden, Parish Councillor, Parish Archivist, Pastoral Care Team Member; Organiser and organiser of Hunter's Hill Parish's 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Photo: Dr Tim Hawkes and Deaconess Margaret Rodgers (photos by Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos)
