High honours for public servants

Five Queensland Government employees were honoured with the Public Service Medal (PSM) in this year's Australia Day awards. The PSM recognises service excellence to the public, or to external or internal clients; innovation in program, project or policy development; or the achievement of more efficient processes, improved productivity or better service delivery.

Information on the Public Service Medal, and other Australian Honours, is available on the It's an Honour website at www.itsanhonour.gov.au (external link)

If you would like further information on the Public Service Medal, or if you would like to nominate someone for the award, contact Protocol Queensland on 3224 4802.

Greg Claydon PSM - Environment and Resource Management

For outstanding public service in the areas of natural resource management and water reform.

Greg joined the Queensland Government in 1974 and has been at the forefront of water reform in Queensland for many years.

His paper Water Allocations and Entitlements - Towards a National Framework for Property Rights in Water - Review of Policy Issues and Opinions was influential in the development of the Queensland Water Act 2000, and his hard work has set the platform for how Queensland is addressing the most severe long-term drought in history.

He has also made a significant contribution to Queensland's involvement in the Murray Darling Basin Commission. Greg is greatly respected for his inclusive and comprehensive community engagement strategies throughout the formation of draft legislation. Currently, Greg is the Executive Director of Strategic Water Initiatives.

David Kopelke PSM - Education and Training

For outstanding public service to education in Queensland, particularly in the field of environmental education.

David established the Boyne Island Environmental Education Centre in 1977 and has been its first and only principal. He converted the school into a challenging residential camp facility, and each year thousands of students from Prep to Year 12 visit for periods of up to 10 days to learn about the environment.

He was active in the establishment of the Australian Association for Environmental Education in 1980 and in the introduction of marine studies into the Queensland high school curriculum in 1982. Four years later, David established an employment scheme for Indigenous Australians and a foreign university student visit scheme.

In the early 1990s, he created the first working display of alternative energy in the Gladstone region and subsequently the first energy efficiency education program which is now presented in all Queensland schools.

David says it is the diversity of learning experiences that keeps the job exciting and alive even after 30 years at the same location. David has been at the Centre for so long he is now teaching the children of those he taught in the past.

John Strano PSM - Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

For outstanding public service in the areas of investment and trade.

John, who joined the public service in 1971, is credited with attracting some of the most significant investments to be made in Queensland. His influence has enabled the state to create new international linkages, higher skilled jobs, develop new industry clusters and provide positive global branding as a mature investment location.

As Executive Director of Manufacturing and Investment, John developed the Gateway Schools Programs in aviation and manufacturing which raise the profile of careers in manufacturing, engineering and aviation.

He influenced significant trade achievements including the establishment of the Queensland division for the Italian/ Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Queensland/Japan Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Muller PSM - Health

For outstanding public service within Queensland Health, particularly in the areas of cancer screening programs and access to health services.

Jennifer is committed to reducing the burden of disease caused by cancers that can be prevented or treated if detected early. She was involved in the establishment of the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs in Queensland and throughout Australia.

Jennifer has represented Queensland nationally in all facets of program development, delivery and evaluation and has always championed the interests of consumers and disadvantaged groups who have the least access to health care.

Jennifer was instrumental in the development and implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Pilot Program and the Queensland Health Pap Smear Registry. Her work has resulted in the reduction of mortality rates associated with breast and cervical cancers affecting Queensland women.

Dennis Wogan PSM - Transport and Main Roads

For outstanding public service in the road design and construction industry.

Dennis has played a key role in developing competitive relationships in the road design and construction industry in Queensland and been a strong advocate for improved relationships between contractors and the public sector.

Joining the Department of Transport and Main Roads in 1966 as a graduate engineer, Dennis worked in Toowoomba, Charleville, Townsville, Barcaldine and Gympie before returning to Brisbane in 1984.

His tireless efforts have created a system that has better managed costs, is more equitable, and has raised the profile, accountability and reputation of the road design and construction industry as a whole.

Dennis has also paved the way for new methods of training and teaching within the industry and has been instrumental in capturing the intellectual property of the Department and sharing best-practice ideas with a broad industry audience. He has been a leading light in the department's drive for improved efficiency in delivery of its core business.

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

^ to top