Clockwise from the top: Everald Compton AM OAM (Image: Russell Shakespeare for The Chronicle), Rev Colin Baxter AM (Photo: Supplied), Douglas Whan OAM (Image: Mark Wilson for the Cairns Post), Adele Allen OAM (Image: Stephen Kiprillis for The Age).
Queen's Birthday Honours 2021
A long-time aged care advocate, an ex-Moderator, an accountant volunteering 100 hours a month, and a congregational pastoral worker with a 50-year legacy in the community are among the wide range of Uniting Church members acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours list.
Everald Compton AM OAM is one of a small number to receive an Order of Australia twice, adding an OAM in 2021 to an AM previously awarded in 1992. Mr Compton has been recognised for distinguished service to the aged welfare sector through advocacy and advisory roles to the Uniting Church and to the community. As well as being the Uniting Church’s longest serving Elder (61 years), he was one of the founding Directors of National Seniors Australia and is currently chair of Longevity Alliance at the University of Queensland where he is an Adjunct Professor. He is currently Honorary Campaign Leader of Dying with Dignity Queensland and is actively involved in the Campaign to have Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation enacted in the Queensland Parliament. Read more.
Rev John Maddern AM was the Moderator of the Synod of South Australia from 1989-1991. A Minister in the Methodist Church of Great Britain and then the Methodist Church of Australasia prior to Union, a record of service to the church in South Australia includes 25 years in Chaplaincy to the Army Reserves and over 15 years of supply ministry after retirement. Also recognised for service to the community, Rev Maddern is a former Secretary and long-time volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
Rev Colin Baxter AM was a Methodist and then Uniting Church Minister for 47 years before his retirement in 1995, serving in New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. He was also the Director of the Christian Television Association in Queensland from 1972-1988. His ministry includes Chaplaincy to ex-Service Organisations based in Bribie Island, including the RSL and Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia. Read more here and here.
Adele Allen OAM received her award for significant service to the community through the church. A pastoral worker for Croydon Uniting Church in Victoria for 30 years, Mrs Allen exercises a ministry of connection between the gathered congregation and those on the fringes or otherwise at risk of loneliness and isolation. Her significant record of service to the community includes 50 years as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels beginning in 1971, and service to the RSL. Read more.
Douglas Whan OAM is a Uniting Church member and qualified accountant recognised for service to the community through the free offering of skills and experience to the Uniting Church and 15 other community organisations. Mr Whan estimates he volunteers 100 hours a month in service to the Uniting Church across Melbourne and Geelong in Victoria, overseeing the finances of churches in the region between Northcote, Wallan, Bacchus Marsh, the Bellarine Peninsula and Lorne. Read more.
A number of other Uniting Church members have been recognised for their service to the wider community in a wide range of fields and disciplines. The full list is below.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Mr Everald Ernest COMPTON AM, For distinguished service to the aged welfare sector through advocacy and advisory roles, to the Uniting Church in Australia, and to the community.
The Reverend John Warrenne MADDERN RFD, For significant service to the Uniting Church in Australia, and to the community.
The Reverend Colin Richard BAXTER, Newcastle NSW 2300 For service to the Uniting Church in Australia, and to the community.
Emeritus Professor John Barnard BREMNER, For significant service to tertiary education, and to biomolecular science.
Dr Kenneth William EVANS, For significant service to education, to independent schools, and to public administration.
Mr Robert Malcolm HOOK, For significant service to the community of Ballarat.
Mr Peter George IRWIN, For significant service to tertiary education, to geography, and to the community of Newcastle.
Mr Graeme William SINCLAIR, For significant service to accountancy, to business, and to the not-for-profit sector.
Mrs Rhonda Joyce WESTON, For significant service to aged persons' education, and to the community of Toowoomba.
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
Mr Barry Lewis ABLEY, For service to the community of Geelong.
Mrs Adele Marion ALLEN, For service to the community through the church.
Mrs Wendy Joan BARRETT, For service to music.
The Reverend Colin Richard BAXTER, For service to the Uniting Church in Australia, and to the community
Mrs Jennifer Margaret CURNOW, For service to the community through a range of roles.
Mrs Betty Merle DENNING, For service to the community of Pittsworth.
Mr Colin James ELLIOTT, For service to the community of Campbelltown.
Mr Rodney Alleric FRASER, For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Mrs Deborah Mary HARRISON, For service to the community through charitable initiatives.
Mrs Mary Anne NEILSEN, For service to the community as a church organist.
Mrs Madeline PARISH, For service to the community of Coffs Harbour.
Mrs Dianne Joyce PATERSON, For service to youth through Guides, and to the community.
Mrs Margaret Dawn PEACOCK, For service to the community of Frankston.
Dr Kaye Frances ROBERTS-THOMSON, For service to dentistry, and to the community.
The late Mr Paul Douglas RUSSELL For service to the community of the Atherton Tableland.
Mr Leonard Andrew RYAN, For service to the community as a church organist.
Mrs Lynette Elizabeth STEPHENSON, For service to the community of Pakenham.
Mrs Janet Patricia SYNOT, For service to the arts, to the community, and to badminton.
Mrs Joan Osma TAYLOR, For service to secondary education, and the community.
Mr Douglas Bruce WHAN, For service to the community through the church.