Cairns Investiture Ceremony | 3pm, Friday 24th July 2026

Seventeen Queenslanders will be recognised for their outstanding service and bravery at an Investiture Ceremony in Cairns today, where the Governor will present Australian Honours and Awards.

Among the recipients are four North Queenslanders who will receive the Group Bravery Citation for rescuing a woman from a burning house at Bayview Heights in 2022. Other honourees include recipients recognised for significant contributions to conservation, defence, policing, agriculture, foster care, local government and community service. The Medal of the Order of Australia will also be presented posthumously to the late Mr Dennis Howe OAM for his service to agriculture and the community.

The Cairns ceremony is one of a series of regional investitures recognising Queenslanders whose dedication, courage and service have made a lasting contribution to their communities and the nation.

Her Excellency will present recipients with the following Australian Honours and Awards:

 

APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION (AM)

 

Dr James Peter Stanton AM PSM

For significant service to conservation, to wildlife ecology, and to wet tropics management.

 

AWARDED THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

 

Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Mitchell CSC

For outstanding achievement as a senior Staff Officer in Joint Operations Command and Commanding Officer of Task Force 12 on Operation OKRA from January 2023 to November 2024.

 

AWARDED THE AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)

 

Mr Roger Whyte APM

For distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force.

 

AWARDED THE MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION (OAM)

 

The late Mr Dennis Howe OAM

For service to the agricultural industry, and to the community.

To be received by Mr James Howe

 

Mr William Lowis OAM

For service to local government, and to the community of the Burdekin Shire.

 

Mrs Lesley Pryor OAM
For service to youth through foster care.

 

AWARDED THE MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MILITARY DIVISION (OAM)

 

Major Andrew Crook OAM

For meritorious performance of duty as a Regimental Sergeant Major and senior enlisted leader in the Australian Army.

 

Petty Officer Kerryn Seaborn OAM

For meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy as a Physical Training Instructor.

 

Warrant Officer Class One Michael Beeton OAM

For meritorious performance of duty as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army Band.

 

Warrant Officer Class One Gregg Orlicki OAM

For meritorious performance of duty as the Regimental Sergeant Major within various units.

 

AWARDED THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)

 

Chief Petty Officer Adam Moxham CSM

For meritorious devotion to duty as the Warfare 1, Warfare 2 and Hydrographic Strategic Career Manager in the Royal Australian Navy.

 

Chief Petty Officer Tara-Ann Wilson CSM

For meritorious devotion to duty as the Senior Technical Officer in HMAS Albany.

 

Warrant Officer Class One Daniel Leatham CSM

For meritorious achievement as the Regimental Artificer Sergeant Major of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

 

AWARDED THE GROUP BRAVERY CITATION

 

Mr Wayne Maconachie

Mr Robert Petersen

Mr Barry Uhr

Mr Teokotai Umaki

The recipients are recognised with the award of the Group Bravery Citation for their actions rescuing a woman from a burning house in Bayview Heights, Queensland on 20 September 2022.