Five dedicated members of our local community have been recognised for their service as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Shoalhaven residents Raymond Strong and Nowra’s Joan Crabb have been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to their local community.

Strong was the president of the Berry Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia from 2013-21 and he is also a life member of the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Rugby League club, the Group Seven Rugby League.

He has also been an active member of Berry’s Apex Club and Bowling Club, Shoalhaven and Kiama District Auto Club, Berry Showground Parks Trust and a member of the Australian Army from 1954-56.

Crabb is a former president and treasurer of the Nowra branch of Shoalhaven Seniors, a volunteer and fundraiser with Shoalhaven Lantern Club and is a member of Unions Shoalhaven.

Kiama’s Belinda Mackinnon has been honoured with the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service to TAFE NSW in the delivery of education and organisational leadership.

The executive director of Business Enablement at TAFE NSW, she has spent more than 40 years at TAFE NSW while demonstrating an unwavering dedication to learners, teachers, and the communities she has served.

As an educator, she has had a profound impact on guiding vulnerable learners with complex needs to build their confidence and develop their skills for the workforce.

As a leader, she has driven some of TAFE NSW’s most complex and transformational programs resulting in improved efficiencies as well as

enhanced staff culture.

As the regional general manager of TAFE NSW’s South Region, she played a pivotal role in bringing the Illawarra and Riverina institutes together as a cohesive entity.

Most recently, Mackinnon has led the Education Technology Ecosystem implemented by TAFE. Through this program, she has driven technological, system, and process improvements to deliver a more seamless

and enriching educational experience for TAFE NSW’s 400,000 learners and 10,000 teachers.

Her expertise enabled the program’s scope to be expanded to encompass all major student management, enrolments, academic management, learning management, and asset management systems.

Gerringong’s Andrew Sweeney has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.

He was first elected as a group captain in 2014. He was the captain of Gerringong Brigade for six years before becoming the group captain of Illawarra Brigade.

He is a member of the Illawarra/Sutherland leadership team, the Illawarra senior management team, and the Bush Fire Risk Management Committee.

He is also the coordinator of the district crew leader course, and coordinator and a member of the remote area firefighting team. As an area command and leadership team member, he provides a vital and effective link between the staff and volunteers.

Sweeney demonstrates dedicated, advanced and proactive leadership, resulting in outstanding cooperation, understanding and performance.

He is an authorised wildfire and structural fire investigator and conducted numerous investigations during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires, including the Green Wattle Creek fire.

Ashley Sullivan has received an Emergency Services Medal (ESM). He has been a volunteer and staff member with the the NSW State Emergency Service since 1997 and has been an NSW SES staff member since June 2010.

Sullivan is the senior manager of Fleet Service and is also a volunteer member of the Kiama Unit in the South Eastern Zone and the Kogarah Unit in the Metro Zone.

He was instrumental in enhancing flood rescues across NSW following the devastating floods of 2022-23 and has used both his corporate and operational background to coordinate the response of the NSW SES following the NSW Government’s Flood Inquiry.

Sullivan has assisted in numerous flood rescue events across the state and led the agency’s response to the 2011 flash flooding event in the Illawarra and South Coast regions, in addition to the 2016 Shoalhaven region flood event.

This year, a grand total of 830 Australians have been recognised, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

This represents an increase of awardees of almost 30% since the Australia Day 2025 List.

Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at the Government House in their respective state or territory in coming months to receive the insignia of their award.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC said she was delighted by the contributions of those recognised in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.

“These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country,” she said.

“As your Governor-General, I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today, and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50-year history of our Australian honours system.

“Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy, and resolve.

“To all who are being recognised in The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia – and I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.”