Sunday, January 26, 2025

Meet the public servants recognised in the Australia Day awards

 Michael Tink, a son my former PAC Chairman received well deserved Intelligence Medal. Andrew Tink is a  gentlemen and a scholar to boot a great storyteller.

 To thinking Andrew, the importance of books was best expressed by the Scottish philosopher and historian Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

   In books lies the soul of the whole past time, the articulate
 and audible voice of the past when the body and material 
substance of it has altogether vanished like a dream.


Meet the public servants recognised in the Australia Day awards

 By Brittney Levinson 26 Jan  2025


Canberra's COVID-19 surge centre drew fierce criticism in the years after it was built, but one public servant who worked on the project says she is incredibly proud of what was achieved in such little time

"I don't think there's ever a time in my career [again] that I will see the lightning-fast decisions that were made with the best evidence that we had at the time," she said.

Jen Sloane is among the ACT and federal public servants who have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day awards. Read on for the full list of all public servants listed in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.
Ms Sloane's role in supporting the ACT government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including planning the Garran Surge Centre within seven days and delivering it in a month, has earned her a Public Service Medal.
She was surprised and humbled to receive a medal, but she said the recognition validated the long hours she spent working and away from her family, including her young children.
Some of the ACT and federal public servants who have been recognised in the Australia Day awards.
Some of the ACT and federal public servants who have been recognised in the Australia Day awards. 
Initially built as an emergency department for COVID patients, the surge centre eventually served as a vaccination and testing centre.
Ms Sloane recalled it as a chaotic and overwhelming time but said it ultimately showed what could be achieved when people came together in an emergency situation.

Australia Day Honours 2025

Order of Australia, Meritorious awards & Military awards

"We genuinely did it with the best intent ... witnessing what was happening over in the European countries [and thinking] that our health system was on the brink of collapse in a couple of weeks' time," she said.
Jen Sloane is receiving a Public Service Medal in the 2025 Australia Day awards for her work during COVID-19. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Jen Sloane is receiving a Public Service Medal in the 2025 Australia Day awards for her work during COVID-19. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Federal public servant Luke Mansfield said he was humbled to receive a Public Service Medal for his work on disability reform, including coordinating the government's response to the disability royal commission.
Through this work, and his work as a disability carer for 15 years, Mr Mansfield has witnessed the societal and structural barriers people with disability face every day.
"A huge focus of the work we do is on elevating the voices of people with disability into the policy and decision-making process so we can start to tackle those structural issues and find solutions with them," he said.
The National Australia Day Council said Mr Mansfield's work has helped change community attitudes and systems to be more inclusive of people with disability.
Luke Mansfield. Picture by Gary Ramage
Luke Mansfield. Picture by Gary Ramage
"Working to find solutions that make their lives better is what motivates me to come to work every day," he said.
Ms Sloane and Mr Mansfield are among the hundreds of Australians who have been recognised by Governor-General Sam Mostyn in the 2025 Australia Day awards.
Seventeen federal public servants and seven ACT public servants received Public Service Medals for their outstanding service. Read their stories below.
READ MORE:

Mark Alcock

Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Mark Alcock is recognised for his exceptional leadership in securing Australia's maritime jurisdiction, enhancing regional security and improving ocean governance.
His leadership in preparing Australia's continental shelf submission influenced the way all nations progress claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). His contributions expanded Australia's marine jurisdiction and supported our Pacific and south-east Asian neighbours to assert their rights under the UNCLOS. 
Mr Alcock also chaired a group of experts to deliver a United Nations publication on marine geospatial information management.

Emma Gleeson

Department of Health and Aged Care

Emma Gleeson. Picture supplied
Emma Gleeson. Picture supplied
Emma Gleeson is recognised for her tireless work leading the government's response to the aged care work value case, which delivered once-in-a-generation wage increases for nurses and carers in the private aged care sector. 
Ms Gleeson brought together all relevant areas of the Department of Health and Aged Care, as well as other government agencies, and worked closely with unions and providers to design a fair and efficient way to implement the 15 per cent pay rise.

Ralph King

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ralph King. Picture supplied
Ralph King. Picture supplied
Ralph King's exceptional leadership was evident through his work to help evacuate Australians caught up in the current Middle East conflict. Over the course of seven days, Dr King oversaw the Australian embassy in Israel to facilitate the departure of more than 800 people over seven government-chartered flights.
Simultaneously, Dr King anticipated fast-moving developments and enabled the government to formulate policy, messaging and consular responses. 

Tracie-Ann Maher

Department of Finance

Tracie-Ann Maher has delivered significant innovations and policy reforms in risk management, to the benefit of the Australian public and the government.
Under her leadership, the Department of Finance has achieved a best-practice risk management framework, which delivered structural and cultural change through principles-based and supportive approaches.
She has done this most recently in the areas of Australian Public Service reform, net zero and integrity initiatives.

Luke Mansfield

Department of Social Services

Luke Mansfield has been instrumental in leading better outcomes for Australians living with a disability. His achievements include the coordination of the government's response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the ongoing delivery of Australia's Disability Strategy, which is driving action at all levels of government to improve the lives of people with disability.
Mr Mansfield has led teams contributing and responding to the vital and confronting work of the disability royal commission and is now leading its taskforce.
Highly respected by his peers, Mr Mansfield has shown an enormous personal commitment to bettering disability outcomes by modelling his own behaviour as a carer and fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Jodie McEwan

Attorney-General's Department

Jodie McEwan. Picture by Elesa Kurtz
Jodie McEwan. Picture by Elesa Kurtz
Jodie McEwan led the ACT Policing response to several nation-leading and progressive reforms that affect some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Ms McEwan developed a policy position that centred on harm reduction principles and created efficiencies for frontline policing resources in relation to the decriminalisation of drugs in the ACT. She displayed her unwavering commitment to the reforms and had a deep understanding of the legislation's intent to stop criminalising people who use drugs and instead treat drug use as a health issue.
She has also led the work of raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the ACT to 14 years by 2025.

Victoria Ross

Department of Defence

As a specialist medical and public health officer, Victoria Ross has been instrumental in developing health systems to ensure the Australian Defence Force delivers at maximum capability while advocating for the wellbeing of its members. Her advice was critical in supporting the Defence response to the summer bushfires in 2019-2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese Encephalitis Virus outbreak, and the mpox emergency.
Dr Ross' engagement with national and international expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic directly contributed to the success of the ADF's pandemic management and vaccination program during a time of national crisis.

Edward Russell

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Edward Russell. Picture supplied
Edward Russell. Picture supplied
Following attacks in the Middle East in 2023, Edward Russell worked tirelessly to assist Australians to depart conflict zones. As a junior official heading up Australia's office in Ramallah, he facilitated a wide-scale and logistically complex consular response to support the safe passage of over 200 Australians and their family members to depart an active conflict zone.
Mr Russell was on the ground to report on evolving Palestinian positions to Australia, which was instrumental in informing the Australian government's policy development on the crisis.
He assisted with the successful departure of Australian, New Zealand and Canadian citizens by collecting them from various points in the West Bank and delivering them safely to the border crossing to exit Jordan.

Susan Saunders

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Meet the public servants recognised in the Australia Day awards
Meet the public servants recognised in the Australia Day awards
Susan Saunders led the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Act 2012, a safety net program that provides financial assistance to people who have lost their jobs due to their employer's liquidation or bankruptcy. 
Ms Saunders led a taskforce group to deal with a significant backlog of redundant work claims. She worked collaboratively across the department, led consultations and negotiations with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and supported departmental litigation against individuals who deliberately avoided their obligations.
She identified and implemented a range of measures including two IT transformation projects for the FEG Act that reduced the average claim processing time from 27 weeks to 10 weeks.

Gabrielle Tramby

Department of Home Affairs

Gabrielle Tramby brought together 58 World Customs Organization members and industry partners to tackle criminal infiltration in the maritime sector helping to seize more than 97 tonnes of narcotics. She was instrumental in fostering effective communication between the WCO secretariat and the Australian Border Force.
The chief operating officer of the world's largest shipping line credited Ms Tramby for bringing all parties together to break new ground and change the way industry and governments work together. Her work has positioned Australia as one of the most highly regarded member nations in the WCO.

Dyung Van Dartel

Department of Social Services

Dyung Van Dartel has worked on some of the most complex and high-profile budget costings for the Australian government. 
Her work on the government's COVID-19 response package in 2020 and paid parental leave reforms involved a significant workload in a short period, delivering meaningful support to millions of Australians. 
The increase in Jobseeker payments during COVID-19 required accuracy and integrity and Ms Van Dartel worked tirelessly to ensure this was delivered swiftly for people who needed urgent support.

Sarah Vandenbroek

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Sarah Vandenbroek. Picture Linkedin
Sarah Vandenbroek. Picture Linkedin
Sarah Vandenbroek led a program of direct and ongoing engagement with community leaders on the topic of Norfolk Island's democratic future. She has played a pivotal role in addressing critical issues such as freight management, state service delivery, governance frameworks and the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Vandenbroek has demonstrated outstanding resilience and invested considerable time in meeting with community members. Her dedication in cultivating a strong and enduring rapport with community groups allowed the department to explore alternative approaches for civic participation for Norfolk Island.

Brett Yeomans

Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Brett Yeomans has led and managed many streams of work with distinction, particularly the 2021-22 AdBlue shortage crisis. The global shortage of AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce air pollution, led to significant disruptions to Australian supply chains and the economy.
Dr Yeomans' work helped map industry stocks and demand, allowing the government to understand the challenge. His contribution to this piece of work avoided a significant threat to Australia's transportation sector and the economy more broadly.
Many of the staff he has mentored now hold senior government positions and credit Dr Yeomans with helping them to progress their careers.

Cassandra Ireland

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Cassandra Ireland has identified and implemented several measures to help manage and mitigate risk for the government.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Ireland led the former Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment's legal response to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. She established a high-performing team and collaborated with subject matter experts to deliver critical evidence to support the work of the royal commission, enabling it to make key recommendations for the benefit of the Australian community.

Anne McFall

Department of Education

Anne McFall delivers outstanding service to support Australia's higher education sector in areas such as compliance and investigations, customer service, stakeholder management and contributions to policy development and projects.
Her exemplary leadership was noted in regulating the Higher Education Standards Framework, which sets the standards for higher education providers in Australia. The design processes and reporting arrangements led to significant efficiencies in the management of applications and successful maintenance of the integrity of entry to the sector.

Donna Ross

Department of Defence

Donna Ross has had an extensive and accomplished career within the Australian Taxation Office and has delivered significant projects for the ATO.
These include projects for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2020 and the G20 meeting, as well as the establishment of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission as a separate agency within the ATO. All the while, Mrs Ross led the merger and relocation of three Melbourne CBD offices with nearly 2500 staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frederick Hunter

Frederick Hunter. Picture Karrkad Kanjdji Trust
Frederick Hunter. Picture Karrkad Kanjdji Trust
Frederick Hunter is the first Indigenous Australian ranger to achieve the rank of chief ranger in the history of Kakadu National Park.
Driven by his dedication to his profession and the protection of country, Mr Hunter returned to full-time duties within 12 months after a workplace helicopter accident that left him with multiple spinal fractures.
Mr Hunter has headed up a new section, Outstation Work Crew, in which he supports disengaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in the region by guiding them to employment with the park.
The National Australia Day Council says Mr Hunter is a mentor and shining example to younger Indigenous rangers.

Jantiena Batt

ACT Education Directorate

Jantiena Batt. Picture Linkedin
Jantiena Batt. Picture Linkedin
Jantiena Batt's contribution to ACT public education has been widespread. As the director of Early Childhood Projects in the ACT Education Directorate, Ms Batt has helped more than 1000 vulnerable children access two free days of quality education.
For 12 years, Ms Batt has been a devoted certified assessor supporting the ACT Teacher Quality Institute. She has supported and led the ACT local council of the Australian Literacy Educator's Association and was instrumental in leading the nation in early childhood education. 
As a coach and mentor, Ms Batt has helped to grow the teaching profession by modelling best practices and has volunteered thousands of hours to serve public education outside of her paid employment.

Elizabeth Hall

Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate

Elizabeth Hall worked extended hours to redesign budget systems to manage emergency support systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Hall played a critical role in developing whole-of-government economic survival and recovery packages during the pandemic and reviewed time-limited funding and critical services.
Ms Hall was also instrumental in developing the ACT government's wellbeing framework, which helped to ensure better service delivery by government agencies by focusing efforts on priorities that support long-term benefits for the community.

Rebecca Kelley

Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate

Rebecca Kelley. Picture Linkedin
Rebecca Kelley. Picture Linkedin
Rebecca Kelley provided leadership and support to the sport and recreation sector, including the fitness industry, during COVID-19.
She provided regular sector briefings, interpreted the changing regulations and provided critical input that shaped the government's response to support the sector's emergence after COVID-19. She supported the continuity of national sporting competitions and assisted smaller events to navigate waivers and exemptions.
In collaboration with the Chief Health Officer, Ms Kelley was instrumental in developing the return-to-play guidelines tailored specifically for sport and recreation, which were an essential resource for the sector.

Elizabeth Lopa

ACT Health Directorate

Elizabeth Lopa. Picture Linkedin
Elizabeth Lopa. Picture Linkedin
Elizabeth Lopa led the ACT government's long-term strategic plans for future health infrastructure needs, including the master plan to transform Canberra Hospital campus over the next 20 years. 
She also worked with the community and clinicians to shape the planning and design of the new North Canberra Hospital.
Ms Lopa has delivered a new residential treatment centre for eating disorders, as well as planning for a new Watson health precinct that will support young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Frank Marando

ACT Emergency Services Agency

Frank Marando has dedicated nearly three decades of combined public service to the Commonwealth and ACT governments.
During the 2019-20 bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Marando made himself unfailingly available beyond the usual scope of standard business hours to ensure support was provided to those who were preoccupied with frontline and operational matters.
Mr Marando's calm and strategic leadership helped strengthen the relationships between the Emergency Services Agency and other directorates. He led by example, volunteering his time to pack COVID-19 testing kits for vulnerable community members alongside his colleagues.

Christopher Roberts

Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate

Christopher Roberts was instrumental in supporting the ACT government's vision of an innovative policy to incentivise low-emissions vehicles to help achieve climate policy objectives.
With 25 years of experience providing evidence-based strategic and policy advice, Mr Roberts has demonstrated outstanding public service in policy innovation. His foresight into the reform's practical aspects bridged the gap from policy design to practical implementation. 

Jen Sloane

ACT Health Directorate

A registered nurse and public health practitioner, Jen Sloane was one of the first to be called upon in 2020 to support the ACT COVID-19 response.
She was integral to the delivery of the Garran Surge Centre used for COVID-19 testing and assessment. 
From 2021 Ms Sloane was the primary lead in the ACT's public testing and surveillance program. Her understanding and knowledge of the testing regime ensured accurate and timely advice to the Health Minister, the ACT Chief Health Officer and other key figures.

Other medal recipients 

Australian Police Medal

  • Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson
  • Mr Craig Mann
  • Assistant Commissioner Alison Wegg 

Australian Intelligence Medal

  • Ms Hazel Bennett
  • Mr Geoff G
  • Mr Stephen McGlynn
  • Mr Jonathan Olrick
  • Mr Michael Tink
  • Ms Kristin  W
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