Today at Government House, the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker, hosted investitures for recipients of honours and awards which were announced in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List and the 2025 Australian Bravery Decorations Wattle Day List.
One of the Governor’s important ceremonial roles is officiating at Investiture Ceremonies for Tasmanian recipients of Australian Honours and Awards.
This week, Government House is hosting four ceremonies, recognising 34 Tasmanians for their achievements and service across a wide range of fields.
All recipients have made outstanding contributions to improve their local communities and make Australia a better place.
This week’s ceremonies are honouring recipients of awards announced in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List, as well as recipients named in previous Honours Lists.
This morning, the Governor presented an Australian Police Medal (APM) and an Australian Corrections Medal (ACM), as well as insignia to recipients of awards in the Order of Australia.
Recipients were recognised for service to the community and to a range of fields including public health, the arts, billiards and snooker, conservation and the environment, ornithology and science journalism.
In addition, the Governor also presented an Australian Bravery Decoration, previously announced in September 2025, to Group Bravery Citation recipient Mrs Kim Shepherd.
Congratulations to this morning’s recipients:
Dr David Law AM
Inspector Philippa Burk APM
Rachael Parker ACM
David Coleman OAM
Athol Bennett OAM
Robert Higgins OAM
Mark Holdsworth OAM
Zoe Nanuma Kean OAM
Kim Shepherd
This afternoon’s ceremony honoured recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) and the Emergency Services Medal (ESM), recognising their distinguished service to the Tasmania Fire Service and to the State Emergency Service.
The Governor also recognised three recipients of Medals of the Order of Australia, one announced in the Australia Day Honours List for 2026 and two named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.
They were honoured for service to literature, as well as for their service to the community across a range of roles.
Congratulations to this afternoon’s recipients:
Paul Baker AFSM
Kim Brundle-Lawrence AFSM OAM
Stuart Males AFSM
Wayne Dowling ESM
Susan Kelder ESM
The late Robert Allen OAM
The late Peter Cox OAM
Sally Odgers OAM