Australian Honours and Awards recognise the outstanding service and contributions of Australians. Recipients come from right across the country and from all walks of life and while some well-known people receive awards, many more are known only to those they help and serve day-in-day-out. All recipients are worthy of recognition and celebration.
They year a Logan local, Beenleigh to be exact, has received an OAM for service to the community of Beenleigh.
Mrs Heather Christensen has been recognised for her work with Quota International Beenleigh and the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce (BYCC).
Working tirelessly for Quota in projects such as Eisteddfod Coordinator since 2008, establishing Junior Quota clubs, six years as president and for being a member since 1992.
Mrs Christensen has also been involved and recognised for her work with the BYCC as the facilitator for the Beenleigh Yatala Junior Chamber of Commerce and being a board member since 2009.
And to top all of her hard work off, before being honoured with the OAM, Mrs Christensen was awarded the Citizen of the Year, Logan City Council, Australia Day Awards in 2016.
Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) said when announcing the list on behalf of all Australians, congratulations to all recipients.
“Each of these individuals are unique and their story deserves to be shared widely and celebrated.
“Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation. There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment, and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.
“I am pleased that this list includes the highest ever percentage of women (44 per cent) recognised through the General Division of the Order of Australia. It is important that the Order of Australia represents the diversity and strength of Australia – for this to happen we need to ensure outstanding women, members of our multicultural community and First Nations people are nominated by their peers in the community.
“I am prioritising increasing awareness of and engagement with the Order of Australia amongst groups that have been historically underrepresented. We are seeing positive progress and I am determined that it continues.”
“To the individuals being recognised today, many of whom Linda and I look forward to meeting over the coming year, thank you for your service and congratulations on being recognised by your peers and your nation.
“To all Australians, I encourage you to consider nominating someone outstanding from your community for recognition. The great strength of our system is that it is ‘bottom-up’ – everyone recognised through the Order of Australia has been nominated by someone else, considered through an independent process and, today, celebrated by our nation.”
Cr Karen Murphy said I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Heather who has received the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her contributions to the community of Beenleigh.
“Heather has dedicated over 30 years to serving others including supporting youth through Junior Quota clubs and the Beenleigh Yatala Junior Chamber of Commerce.
“She has had an immense and positive impact on countless people including myself.
“I am blessed to count her as a mentor, sounding board and true friend. She is one in a million.”
On receiving the award Mrs Christensen said thanks everyone and of course you would know Moya actually assisted Cr Karen and Mark Haestier in putting in this nomination.
“So overwhelmed to be thought worthy of this great honour.”