Queen’s Birthday Honours recognise service to people with disabilities

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten has congratulated the Australians recognised for their service to the disability community in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“People with disability are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and there are thousands of Australians who give their time and effort to improving the quality of their lives, and fighting for their rights,” Mr Shorten said.

“I am delighted to see some of them rewarded for their efforts.”

Four people were made Members of the Order of Australia for work in the disability area.

Bruce Bonyhady (Vic): For his work as chairman of Yooralla, one of Victoria’s largest disability service providers, and as a contributor to other charitable organisations.

Patricia Brougham (SA): For her work as a fundraiser and volunteer for a range of charities that support children and young people with disabilities.

Kevin Cocks (Qld): For his work as an advocate for the promotions of the human rights of people with disability and his contribution to reform and development of disability services.

Dr Jeanette Rosen (NSW): For her work in audiology, and for people with a hearing impairment through contributions to the Self Help for Hard of Hearing People organisation.

“These four have devoted themselves to working for people with disability and giving them the options and freedoms that the rest of the community takes for granted,” Mr Shorten said.

Mr Shorten said that 18 others had been awarded the Order of Australia medal for their work with people with disability.

They are:

Patricia Byrne (NSW), Hazel Costigan (WA), Christine Doran (Vic), Faye Druett (NSW), Professor John Elkins (Qld), Philip Grano (Vic), Maxwell Kelleher (Vic), Noel Levin (Vic), the late Michael Meehan (Qld), John Morgan (NSW), Catherine Murray (NSW), David Omant (Tas), Shirley Pring (NSW), Nancy Reid (Vic), Barbara Rix (SA), Wendy Torr (NSW), Morris White (ACT), Lynette Whitingham (WA)