The Australia Day Awards

J-Wire salutes those who have received recognition of their contribution to the betterment of our society and lists those with Jewish connection…

 

OFFICER [AO] IN THE  GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Mrs Natalie MILLER OAM, Toorak Vic 3142

For distinguished service to the film industry through promotion of screen culture, as a mentor to emerging film-makers, particularly women, and contributions to advisory and professional organisations.

Founder and Executive Director, Sharmill Films, since 1967.

Co-Founder and Co-Manager, Cinema Nova, since 1993.

Executive Director, Longford Cinema, 1984-2001.

Board Member, National Association of Cinema Operators, since 2010.

Current Member, Australian Independent Distributors Association, since 2000; has served as Vice-President.

Current Member, Screen Producers Association Australia.

Founding Executive Member, Australian Centre of Moving Image (ACMI), 2002-2010; Member, Steering Committee, 2001; current Chair, ACMI Alumni.

Board Member, Schools Course Advisory Committee, Victorian College of the Arts Film and Television School.

Natalie Miller told J-Wire: “I am overwhelmed. I divide my focus between my family, including six grandchildren, and my films and I have to give credit to my husband who shares my passion. Everything I do involves teamwork and I must acknowledge that too.”

 

Dr Peter William WEISS AM, NSW

For distinguished service to the arts, particularly orchestral music through philanthropic support and advisory roles.

Life Patron and Benefactor, Australian Chamber Orchestra, since 2005; Patron and Benefactor, Instrument Fund, since 2011.

Founder and Major Benefactor, Bach Inspired concerts and recordings, 1997-2007.

Co-Benefactor, Luminous concerts, 2009.

Patron, Trans-Atlantic Tour, 2010.

Founding Patron and Chairman, Medici Program.

Patron, Emerging Artists and Education Program.

Founding Chairman, Maestro’s Circle, Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO), since 2007.

Founder, SSO ‘Chair’ Patron Program.

Member, Advisory Council of the SSO.

Major Benefactor, Sydney Symphony Invites… concert series.

Patron and Benefactor, Music for Spring concert series, 1990-2001.

Major Benefactor, Great Cellists concert series.

Life Governor, Art Gallery of NSW, since 2009; Inaugural Foundation Member, 1984.

Trustee, AGNSW Foundation, 2001-2009; Life Benefactor.

Benefactor, Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia, since 1996.

Major Benefactor, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, since 2004.

Benefactor and Scholarships, Australian Youth Orchestra, since 2008.

Founding Benefactor and Patron, Australian World Orchestra, since 2010.

Bundanoon Benefactor Program, 2010.

Benefactor, Southern Highlands International Piano Competition.

Fellow, World Scout Federation.

Ambassador of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award presented by the Earl of Wessex.

Supporter/Benefactor, Selby and Friends, Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney Children’s Hospital Gallery, and the Theatre of Image.

Proprietor and designer, Weiss and Weiss Art.

Designer for Westpac Wardrobe, since 1983.

Proprietor, Wollumbi Angus Stud, Wollumbi Olives and Wollumbi Wines, since 2002.

Other awards/recognition include:

Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Leadership Award, AbaF Awards, Australian Business Arts Foundation, 2011.

Peter Weiss told J-Wire: “I am very thrilled and extremely honored to receive this award. I was very excited about receiving the AM 15 years ago and last year the Governor conferred on me an honorary doctorate from Sydney University…and for doing things which give me great pleasure. As long as they want me, I am willing to do whatever I can. I have a particular interest these days in the Australian World Orchestra which features musicians who are living outside of Australia and will come together to produce a very special concert…last year, for example it was conducted by Simone Young. And I have special feelings for the engine room which drives our top orchestras…the Australian Youth Orchestra.”

MEMBER [AM] IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

 

Dr Marianne Josephine DACY, Erskinville, NSW 2043

For significant service to interfaith dialogue, and to the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion.

Founding Senior Archivist, Archive of Australian Judaica, Fisher Library, University of Sydney, since 1983.

Co-Chair, International Council of Christians and Jews Conference, 2007.

Current National Secretary, Australian Council of Christians and Jews.

Honorary Secretary, New South Wales Council of Christians and Jews, since 1992.

Current Secretary/Treasurer, Australian Association of Jewish Studies.

Director, Judaica Library, Ratisbonne Institute, Jerusalem, 1979-1982.

Author, Jewish Christian relations monographs and articles.

Sister, Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, Catholic Church in Australia, since the 1960s.

Dr Dacy told J-Wire that she has traced a Jewish ancestor who lived in Ireland in 1780. She studied Judaism at Melbourne University and attended Ulpan at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She told J-Wire that most of those attending her class were Americans who spoke Yiddish. She said: “They knew the written language so they had a bit of a head start on me”. She said that the Order to which she belongs was founded by a converted Jew in Strasbourg in 1842. Dr Dacy studied under the late Alan Crown at the University of Sydney. Dr Dacy has made a thorough study of the Talmud and  is currently engaged in archiving Sydney’s Jewish history at Sydney University for academic research. Dr Dacy told J-Wire: “This award is a great thing for interfaith.”

Dr Dacy is not Jewish.

Professor Stephen Misha DAVIS, Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville Vic 3050

For significant service to medicine in the field of neurology.

Director of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, since 1992; current Director of Neurosciences and Continuing Care; current Director, Melbourne Brain Centre; Head, Stroke Care Unit, 1987; Chair, Melbourne Health Human

Research Ethics Committee, 2002-2005; Trustee, Neuroscience Foundation, since 1992.

Professor of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, since 1997; Inaugural and current Professor of Translational Neuroscience; Senior Lecturer, 1983-1992.

President, World Stroke Organisation, since 2102 (4 years’ term); current Board Member.

President, Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists, 2007-2010.

President, Stroke Society of Australasia, 1992-1995.

Current Co-Chair, World Stroke Academy.

Current Co-Chair, Neuroscience Trials Australia.

Member, Australian Association of Neurologists, 1989-1995; Chair, Education and Scientific Program Committee, for many years.

Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, since 1980; Member, various committees, 2007-2010.

Fellow, American Heart Association on Stroke, since 1983.

Awards/recognition include:

William Feinberg Award, American Stroke Association, 2011.

Bethlehem Griffiths Award, Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation, 2011.

Victorian Health Minister’s Award, 2008; for outstanding individual achievement.

MJ Eadie Award, Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists, 2004; for career achievements in neuroscience research.

Professor Davis told J-Wire: “I am both delighted and honoured to receive this award. It reflects the work of my distinguished colleagues from around the world including Professor Natan Bornstein at the Tel Aviv University.”

He added that a stroke was the second most common cause of death and his teaming is focusing on preventative treatment.

 

Emeritus Professor Philip Jack FOREMAN,

Bellevue Hill NSW 2023

For significant service to tertiary education, particularly in the area of special education, and to people with a disability.

Professor of Education, University of Newcastle, 2000-2009;  Emeritus Professor, since 2009.

Dean of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, 2002-2008.

Dean of Students, 1998-2002.

Director, Special Education Centre, 1986-12002.

Has written approximately 45 published papers.

Author/Editor, 3 university text books:

 –  Integration and Inclusion in Action, 1996; 2nd edition, 2001.

 –  Inclusion in Action, 2005; 2nd edition 2008; 3rd edition, 2011.

 –  Education of Students with Intellectual Disability: Research and Practice, 2009.

Involved in creating links between the University of Newcastle and the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children to establish the Renwick Centre for Research and Professional Education.

Chair, Australasian Teacher Regulatory Authorities, since 2012..

Chair, New South Wales Institute of Teachers, since 2007.

Member, New South Wales Administrative Decisions Tribunal, since 2008; specialist panel for reviewing appeals in community services.

Chair, New South Wales Initial Teacher Education Committee, 2006-2007.

Councillor, International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities,
1996-2004.

Chair, Newcastle Branch, Australian Psychological Society, 1998-2004.

Member, Australian College of Educators, since 1975; Life Member, since 2005.

Life Member, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, since 1997.

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 1991-2002; Associate Editor, since 2002.

President, Disability Advocacy Service Hunter, 1995-2007.

President, Hunter Community Access, 1992-2007.

Fellow, Australian Psychological Society, since 2004.

Professor Foreman referred back to the Whitlam era telling J-Wire: “During this period the government established two Special Education Centres and I was privileged to head one in Newcastle. This award has come as a great surprise and I am very thrilled to receive it.”

 

Associate Professor Jonathan PHILLIPS,  Sydney NSW 2001

For significant service to mental health as a forensic psychiatrist, particularly through contributions to professional organisations.

Current Associate Professor, Forensic Mental Health, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales; involved in preparation and delivery, Forensic Mental Health Masters Program.

Current Clinical Associate Professor, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Adelaide.

Current Associate Professor, James Cook University.

Convenor/Chairman, Specialist Medical Review Council, 2002-2012; Councillor, since 2001.

Director, Mental Health South Australia, 2003-2005.

Chairperson, Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges, 2002-2003.

President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 1999-2001; Member, since 1973.

Member, College Executive Committee, 1997-1999.

Chair, Resource Review Committee, 1997-1999.

Chair, Fellowships Board, 1995-1997.

General Councillor, 1995-1997.

Chair, Exemptions Sub-Committee, 1995-1997.

Chair, Committee for Training, 1992-1994.

Member, Psychiatric Services Sub-Committee, Medical Services Committee of New South Wales, 1985-2003 and since 2005; also served as Chair.

Former Member, Australian Medical Council.

Current Member, Australian Medical Association.

Current Member, Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Current Member, Medico Legal Society of New South Wales.

Short-term Consultant, World Health Organization.

Guest Lecturer/Examiner, School of Postgraduate Studies, National University of Singapore.

Fellow, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, 1979.

He said: “I am surprised to be honoured to in this way. It certainly encourages one to push on to achieve new things.”

 

Ms Kathryn Shauna SELBY, Northbridge NSW 2063

For significant service to the arts as a concert pianist and performer of chamber music.

Musician-in-Residence, Macquarie University, 1988-1993.

Founding Member and Manager, Macquarie Trio Australia, 1993-2006.

Founder, TriOz (piano, violin and cello trio), 2007-2011; TriOz Ensemble-in-Residence, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, 2008-2011.

Created, Selby and Friends series; tours nationally.

Created, A Little Lunch Music concert series; in conjunction with the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, 2008.

Has performed as a solo concert pianist with many major symphony orchestras in Australia and the USA.

Has performed at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, with the Australia Ensemble, the Australian String Quartet, in the Government House series in New South Wales, in the Utzon Room series at the Sydney Opera House, and at major classical music festivals around the world.

Has recorded extensively, including an all-Gershwin disc for the NAXOS label, a solo piano recital disc for ABC Classics label, a chamber CD with Canberra Wind Soloists and another with artists from the Australian Festival of Music, and with the Macquarie Trio Australia, discs of Beethoven and Piazzolla piano trios and the complete piano trios of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Dvork.

Has been a presenter of music programs on ABC-FM, and a volunteer presenter on
2MBS-FM Radio.

Has commissioned many new works by Australian composers and regularly includes them and other Australian compositions in her concerts.

Offers free master classes for students at a number of Sydney educational institutions, and institutions both secondary and tertiary around Australia.

Awards/recognition include:

Australian Council Fellowship.

Winston Churchill Award.

Has won numerous international awards.

Kathryn Selby told J-Wire: “I was thrilled to learn that I had been nominated. It is a great honour for anyone to be included on this list and of course it made me feel very proud for my family and pleased also all those people who have become part of my extended “family” over the many years I have been presenting concerts – the audience.

I imagine those who work in the profession do so because they love it and not for the awards or the honours they may win. Those are the icing on a wonderful cake – a  life’s work continuing.

J-Wire asked Kathryn if she had encountered outstanding potential and exceptional talent whilst giving her masterclasses. She said: ” Yes indeed…many. There is a wealth of young talent out there and one of them will be featured on my first tour for 2013 coming up this month featuring the great music of Mozart, Faure and Dvorak. This young violinist is only 14 but already extraordinary.”

 

Mr Graham Joseph SMORGON, Vic

For significant service to business, and to the community of Victoria.

Chairman, Smorgon Consolidated Investments, since 1994; Chairman, Smorgon Steel Group, 1994-2007.

Director, OneSteel Ltd, since 2007.

Director, Incitec Pivot Pty Ltd, since 2008.

Chairman GBM Group, since 1984.

Director, Fed Square Pty Ltd, 2002-2009.

Trustee, Victorian Arts Centre Trust, since 2009.

Chairman, Victorian Arts Centre Foundation, 2008-2012.

Director and President, Carlton Football Club, 2002-2007.

Deputy Chairman, Melbourne Health, 2000-2006.

Director, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 2001-2004.

Council Member, Bialik College, 1990-1997 and 1999-2003; Governor, 2004-2008.

Trustee, Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation, 1997-2000.

Graham Smorgon told J-Wire: “It’s very nice to receive such an honour which reflects on my family and all those who help me. It is nice to be recognised by Government House.”

 

Mr Mark TEDESCHI QC,  Sydney NSW 2000

For significant service to the law as a prosecutor, and to photography.

Senior Crown Prosecutor for New South Wales, since 1997: Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor, 1990-1997; Crown Prosecutor, 1983-1990.

President, Australian Association of Crown Prosecutors, since 1999.

Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong.

Queen’s Counsel, since 1988.

Barrister, 1977-1983.

Mr Tedeschi is a well known Australian photographer.

He has had 14 solo exhibitions and has participated in over 20 joint exhibitions in Australia, Italy, France and USA. His images are included in the collections of the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Library in Canberra, the Museum of Sydney, the Justice and Police Museum, the State Library of NSW (which has over 200 of his images), the Centre for Fine Art Photography in Colorado, USA, and many private collections.

Board Member, National Art School in Sydney.

Artist-in-residence, Sydney Grammar School, 2009.

Author, Eugenia: a true story of adversity, tragedy, crime and courage, 2012.

The eminent lawyer told J-Wire: “I am extremely thrilled. This award means a great deal to me.Although I am sure it is more for my waork in the law than my other activities, I did produce 60 photographic portraits of Holocaust survivors in 1992 including some righteous Gentiles and this was to become the basis of the Courage to Care exhibition.”Mark Tedeschi is also a trustee of Sydney Grammar School.

 

MEDAL [OAM] OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

 

Mr Jules Mark FELDMAN, Olinda Vic 3788

For service to the print media industry.

Co-Founder, Modern Magazines Pty Ltd, 1953; Managing Director, 1972-1975.

Editor-in-Chief, Modern Motor, launched in 1954:

–  Road tested vehicles and reported on their performance.

–  Instigated the Modern Motor Car Awards, 1964.

Gradually expanded the business starting in 1965 to publish additional magazines; Editor-in-Chief of most of them, including:

–  Modern Boating.

 –  Modern Fishing.

 –  Australian Golf Digest.

 –  Rugby League Weekly.

 –  Australian Cricket.

 –  Motorcycle News.

 –  Hi Fi Review.

 –  Electronics Today International (later also published in the UK, Canada and in France as Electroníque pour Vous).

Most of these magazines are still published today by other magazine publishers.

Editor-in-Chief, Hudson Publications, 1946-1953; including:

–  Seacraft, 1946.

–  Outdoors and fishing, 1947.

–  Wheels, 1953.

Jules Feldman retired in 1975. Now 93 he added: “I worked very hard all my working life and this is the first award I have received. I feel very warm.”

 

Mr Jack Leonard FISHER, Potts Point NSW 2011

For service to the community through a range of Jewish organisations.

Chairman, Rookwood Jewish Cemetery Trust, since 2005; Trustee, since 1979.

President, NSW Board of Jewish Education, 1996-2000; Board Member, 1977-2000; served in several executive positions; Life Member, 2001.

Board Member, The Great Synagogue, Sydney, 1975-1987; served in several executive positions including Treasurer.

Jack Fisher told J-Wire: “Its been a privilege to serve the community both through education and the cemetery trust. Good people made my work enjoyable.” He has served the community for over 50 years and acknowledges his two brothers Sam Fisher, who was president of Moriah College and Mark Fisher who was president of Masada as being his mentors.

He added that he was especially proud oh having initiated a restoration plan of graves dating back to 1831.

Mr Sydney GROLMAN, Cammeray NSW 2062

For service to the community.

Current Board Member, Rotary Club of Northbridge; Member, Rotary Foundation Committee; Member, Community Services Committee, for many years; Member, Communication Committee, for many years; also served as Honorary Treasurer, for 4 years; Club Coordinator, BowelCare Program, Member, since 1998, Principal Organiser, Annual Fireworks Fundraising Evening, for many years.

Current Treasurer, Sailability Middle Harbour; Shore Crew Member, since 2005.

Initiated and promoted the set up of the Mobile Blood Donor Service at Northbridge Shopping Centre, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, which has received over 680 donations since 2008; personally made 383 plasma donations, Sydney Town Hall Centre; includes some whole blood.

Office Support and Patient Transport Coordination volunteer, New South Wales State Office, Leukaemia Foundation, since 2009; volunteer Patient Transport Driver, 2004-2009.

Organiser, Monthly Men’s Discussion Group, Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Aged Care Home, since 2007.

Supporter of StreetWork and their outreach programs, since 1998; Sydney-based charity helping young people aged between 11 and 18 who are at risk.

Member, Strategic Planning Group, 2008; involved in fundraising with the Rotary Club of Northbridge to purchase the organisation a new bus.

Has prepared, covered and packaged around 1,000 new and pre-loved books for the
Indi-Kindi Pre-School Literacy Project, Jumbana Group; a leading Australian Indigenous strategy and design company.

Sydney Grolman migrated to Australia from South Africa 42 years ago. He told J-Wire:” I can never repay what this this country has done for me.  One of the greatest delights for me was volunteering at both the Olympics and the Paralympics in 2000. They have stopped me donating blood because of my age which is disappointing as my target was set for 400 donations…and I am 17 short of the mark.”

 

Mr Edward JAKU, Woollahra NSW 2025

For service to the Jewish community.

Senior Guide, Sydney Jewish Museum, since 1992.

Eddie Jaku is a remarkable man who will be 93 in April. A Holocaust survivor with exceptional communication skills, he continues to travel to Canberra where he recounts to newly commissioned officers at the Defence Academy his Holocaust experiences. He told J-Wire: ” It’s a nice feeling when you are appreciated. I survived Auschwitz but I lost so many family and friends. I tell my story to many including disadvantaged people..it gives them hope. We can’t change the past…but we can change the future.”

Mr George KLEIN, NSW

For service to community health through drug and alcohol related programs.

Mr Klein has worked as a clinician in drug treatment in both hospital and community settings, since 1981; including several years during which he worked cross-culturally with ‘dual diagnosis’ patients.

He designed and helped to establish several innovation residential services for people affected by substance dependence, including two residential services and an involuntary treatment service; and he has undertaken evaluation and other research projects related to substance abuse and drug treatment.

Mr Klein teaches in the Graduate Medical Program, Sydney University, and in the Tobacco Dependence and Treatment Program, Brian and Mind Research Institute NSW.

George Klein told J-Wire that this honor meant a great deal to him saying “I am very patriotic and I feel this award recognises those of us who work in Public Health in an organisational capacity. There are a lot of people out there who deserve it more than me. They do wonderful things but I accept this with gratitude. However, I would like take this opportunity of letting the public know about the plight of those living within the public housing system. Many of them are in dire straights.”

 

Mrs Pamela MENDELS  North Adelaide SA 5006

For service to the community as a volunteer with Jewish organisations.

Presenter and Producer, South Australian Jewish Community Radio Program (5EBI FM), since 1980.

Founder, Adelaide Women’s Chapter, B’nai B’rith International.

President, South Australian Division of the Australian Friends of Hebrew University.

Pamela Mendels told J-Wire: “I am utterly flabbergasted and astonished but deeply honoured. I don’t see how I deserve this.” She added that she had been producing radio programs since 1980 and had never repeated one.

 

Dr Jon David ROSENTHAL, Caulfield North Vic 3161

For service to the visual arts as promoter of Australian artists.

Co-Director, Powell Street Gallery, from the early 1970s to the early 1980s.

Co-Director, Axiom Gallery, during the 1980s.

Board Member, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Art Foundation, 1999-2002; Life Member, 1998.

Donor of art to collections, including the NGV and Monash University Museum of Art.

Supporter of, and fundraiser for, Indigenous art through the Australian Print Workshop.

Supports emerging artists; Benefactor to a range of institutions and regional galleries throughout Victoria.

Dr Rosenthal told J-Wire: “It is very satisfying to see that a contribution in the field of Art has been recognised. It is equally satisfying to know that the award will join one we already have in the family. My wife Doreen, a professor of psychology, received an AO  8 years ago for her work in research into AIDS in the 80s”.

 

Dr John Charles SCHWARZ, Elderslie NSW 2570

For service to international relations, particularly through the African AIDS Foundation.

 

Co-Founder, African AIDS Foundation, 2001; Chairman, since 2001; involved in programs to support community-based organisations to limit the spread of HIV infection including the Philakahle Wellbeing Centre program – a project to distribute Government supplied antiretroviral medication to people with HIV/AIDS; travels annually to Africa to visit the projects supported by the Foundation.

Involved in establishing a partnership between St Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Campbelltown, NSW, and Intumbane Primary School, Kwa-Zulu, Natal, South Africa, 2009.

Medical Superintendent, Emmaus Hospital, Kwa-Zulu, Natal, South Africa, 1975-1985; initiated Community Health programs to supplement acute care.

Arranged continuing education for African staff, culminating in Matriculation and degrees.

Involved in initiating a farm loan program financed by World Vision, South Africa, where successful commercial farmers give technical support to emerging Zulu farmers, in the 1980s.

Involved in establishing a partnership with the University of Western Sydney Medical School where students undertake a 6 weeks’ clinical placement at Emmaus Hospital in South Africa.

Involved in establishing the Schwarz Family Practice, Elderslie, 1984; general practitioner, since 1984.

Involved in establishing a partnership to develop Community Health Nursing to work with practice nurses and general practitioners to provide coordinated care for clients, since 2000.

Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Sydney

Dr Schwarz told J-Wire: “I have Jewish heritage of which I am proud. I am also very proud to be an Australian and if this award makes people aware of the plight of others, it will be a great help. The world is an uneven place but because of the volunteers who have helped us we have been able to make a difference.  I am also pleased that my wife has been recognised.”

Dr Schwarz is not Jewish.

Mrs Rosalie Gae SCHWARZ, Elderslie NSW 2570

For service to international relations, particularly through the African AIDS Foundation.

Co-Founder, African AIDS Foundation, 2001; Director, since 2001; involved in programs to support community-based organisations to limit the spread of HIV infection including the Philakahle Wellbeing Centre program – a project to distribute Government supplied antiretroviral medication to people with HIV/AIDS; travels annually to Africa to visit the projects supported by the Foundation to interview and film people to make videos for education and fundraising.

Involved in establishing a partnership between St Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Campbelltown, NSW, and Intumbane Primary School, Kwa-Zulu, Natal, South Africa, 2009.

While living in South Africa Mrs Schwarz was involved in various programs to obviate malnutrition and poverty.

Breeding rabbits, purchasing and distributing day-old chickens and food for them.

Purchasing hand-driven sewing machines and material for a group of women to make school uniforms; teaching and the running of this group.

Establishing a library (from the Natal libraries) with books in Zulu and English; running the library for many years.

Visiting local people to assess poverty.

Involved in establishing the Schwarz Family Practice, Elderslie, 1984; Manager, since 1984.

Mrs Schwarz is not Jewish.

Mrs Rosalie Anne SILVERSTEIN,  Toorak Vic 3142

For service to the community through educational, charitable and Jewish organisations.

Led the establishment of The Posh Opp Shoppe in order to raise funds for the education of disadvantaged children, 1999; Volunteer Manager, since 1999.

Volunteer, JewishCare Victoria, since the early 1990s.

Volunteer and Fundraiser, Montefiore Home for the Aged, since 1981; coordinator, activities, cultural events and entertainment for residents.

Member, Management Committee, Melbourne Jewish Orphan and Children’s Aid Society, since 1988.

Fundraiser and coordinator, Melbourne Jewish Women’s Guild, 1990-2001.

Rosalie Silverstein told J-Wire:  “I feel very honoured. This is nothing that I ever aimed at and it has come as a huge surprise. I love my work with Jewish Care and I am especially attached to the Posh Opp Shoppe. Through that we are looking after 178 disadvantaged Jewish kids.”

 

Associate Professor Michael John WEIDMANN, Brisbane Qld 4000

For service to medicine in the field of neurosurgery.

Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, Princess Alexandra Public Hospital, 1996-2009; Senior Visiting Neurosurgeon, since 1979; Member, Staff Selection Panel, since 1979; Chair, Visiting Specialists’ Association, 1985-1989.

Senior Visiting Neurosurgeon, Mater Children’s Hospital, since 1979.

Visiting Neurosurgeon, Holy Spirit Hospital, Mater Private Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital, 1979-2002.

Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, since 2001; Examiner, School of Medicine, 2002-2009; Clinical Lecturer, since 1989; fostering partnerships with the Institute for Molecular Biosciences and the Queensland Brain Institute, since 2002.

Co-Chairman, to establish the Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University; Chair, Neurosurgical Committee, Master of Surgery Program, 2006.

Member, Neurology Assessment Tribunal, Q-Comp Queensland, since 1992-2007; currently provides peer review advice, Queensland Workers’ Compensation Board.

Chairman, Neurosurgical Board, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, 2001-2008; Member, since 2000; Member, Medico Legal Group.

Vice-President, Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 1998-1999; Member, since 1981; Board Member, 1994-2008; instrumental in the establishment of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia Research Foundation Pty Ltd; Member, Queensland Branch, since 1980; Editor, Neurosurgical Newsletter.

Member, Asian Australasian Association of Neurological Surgeons; Treasurer, International Conference on Recent Advances in Neurotraumatology Meeting on Neurotraumatology, 1994; Executive Member, Organising Committee, 7th Asian Australasian Congress of Neurological Surgery, 1987.

Executive Member, Queensland Branch, Spina Bifida Association, 1981-1984.

Member, range of National medical organisations including:

Australian Medical Association, Australian Association of Surgeons,  Spine Society of Australia, and Queensland Neurosurgical Journal Club.

Member, range of international medical organisations including:

Congress of Neurological Surgeons (USA), American Association of Neurological Surgeons, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, Asian Surgical Society, and Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons.

Member, Australian and New Zealand Chapter, American College of Surgeons.

Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, since 1978.

Professor Weidmann told J-Wire he was proud of his Jewish heritage. He said: “My grandfather Adolph came from a Jewish family.  He lived in Delft Holland and was a strong Jewish sympathiser during WW2. He helped a lot of Jews escape, and was shot by the SS for his troubles. His name did not help him. I am very flattered to have received this award and it is very nice to receive recognition for my work.”

Professor Weidmann is not Jewish.