A selection of Sunshine Coast locals, including a former national team coach and an acclaimed architect, have been recognised with Australia Day honours.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for significant service to rugby union as coach and mentor.
He oversaw the national team from 2006 to 2008, including reaching the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup in 2007, when the team suffered a narrow loss to the hosts in England.
He also coached the Queensland Reds from 1989 to 2000, winning the Super 6 in 1992 and the Super 10 in 1994 and 1995. He was recognised as the Super 12 coach of the year in 1998 and 1999.
Mr Connolly also coached several other professional teams around Australia and Europe.
“It’s an honour to be recognised for some of the things I’ve done,” he told Sunshine Coast News.
“The mentoring side of things is equally as important as the rugby side of things.
“It (coaching) gave me the opportunity to talk to a lot of young people and hopefully influence some of them.”
Mr Connolly was also a Sunshine Coast councillor from 2016 to 2020. He launched a bid to re-join council in 2014, after being involved in a serious accident in 2021, which led to him having limited movement.
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Leading architect David Gole was also appointed an AM, for significant service to architecture and to heritage conservation.
The Balmoral Ridge resident played key roles in award-winning projects like the Thomas Dixon Centre at Queensland Ballet in Brisbane, the Rockhampton Museum of Art and the Barambah Station near Goomeri, along with multiple overseas initiatives.
Mr Gole, who is the principal of James Davidson Architects and an adjunct professor at the University of the Queensland, was grateful for the AM.
“Its truly a great surprise and such a huge honour to receive this recognition for doing something I really love. I just feel very humbled,” he said.
“I’ve been so incredibly lucky to have had such a diverse and rich career full of wonderful projects and collaborators. My standout career highlight was leading the team for the renovation of Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over 10 years. This building was the foundational modernist building that established the United Nations mission in Africa and the place where the African Union was formed, shaping contemporary Africa History.
“I have a passion for re-using heritage places and getting people to engage with them, ensuring they are valued into the future. Our built cultural heritage places form part of our identity and our understanding of who we are and what we value.”
John Western was also appointed an AM for significant service to life saving.
He has held several key roles at Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club, where he has been a member for 65 years, and was treasurer of the Australian Surf Rowers League Queensland for a decade.
Bruce Cowley, who lives in Brisbane but was once a key figure at the University of the Sunshine Coast, was also appointed an AM, for significant service to business, to the law, and to tertiary education.
He was the deputy chancellor from 2014 to 2018 and the acting chancellor of the university in 2016.
A host of other people with links to the Sunshine Coast were appointed a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
They include: Patricia Barry of Caloundra, for service to life saving, and to the community of the Sunshine Coast; Kerry Evans of Nambour, for service to the Christian community of Nambour; James O’Shannessy of Beerwah, for service to the community through a range of roles; Travis Schultz of Mooloolaba, for service to the law and to the community; Kevin Stroud of Currimundi, for service to the community of Caloundra; and Margaret Taylor of Maleny, for service to community music.
Charlie Cobb was also acknowledged for service to the community of the Sunshine Coast, while Kayla Szumer was noted for service to the community through social welfare organisations. Meanwhile, Barry Clark was recognised for service to history preservation, and to the community of Bribie Island.
Royal Australian Air Force Group Captain Phillip Godfrey, of Buddina, received the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement in career management of senior RAAF personnel as director senior officer management – Air Force.
The honours list remarked that Group Captain Godfrey is a “remarkable” officer “displaying initiative, energy and superior leadership abilities”.
He has made a conspicuous contribution to the Australian Defence Force through the implementation of significant and lasting reforms in the human resource management of the senior cadre of Air Force personnel, ensuring that high calibre senior personnel are identified, developed and employed to best effect in support of Australia’s national interests.”
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace congratulated award winners.
“I warmly congratulate the Fisher recipients whose dedication and service have been recognised at a national level. These honours reflect the very best of our community,” he said.
The Australia Day Honours List recognises 949 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (general and military divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn was delighted to announce the list.
“The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity and care,” she said.
“As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others.”
If you are aware of anyone else with links to the Sunshine Coast who has received an Australia Day Award let Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
