THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION

Northern Territory Branch

PO Box 2171, Parap NT 0804

Chairman - Dr. Tom Lewis OAM: tom.lewis@darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au

Secretary – Michael Martin OAM michael.martin@bigpond.net.au

Patron: Her Honour the Administrator, The Honourable Ms. Sally Thomas AC

The Northern Territory Branch of the OAA is proud that our patron and NT Administrator – Her Honour the Honourable Sally Thomas was bestowed Australia’s highest Award in the 2014 Australia Day Honours List. Her Honour received the Companion (AC) in the General Division for eminent service to the people of the Northern Territory, particularly to the judiciary and social justice, to the advancement of women in the legal profession, to youth, and to the promotion and development of tertiary education.

The NT Branch has begun 2014 under a new Committee voted in at its AGM last November.

Dr. Val Asche, our illustrious and inspiring Chairman for the last 3 years, has retired.

Our new Chairman is Dr. Tom Lewis. Tom has worked as a divemaster, high school teacher of English and History, and a naval officer, completing a combat deployment in Baghdad in 2006, and seeing service in East Timor. He has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal, the Iraqi campaign medal, and the US Army Commendation Medal, amongst others. In 2004 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to naval history. From 2009 until just recently he was the Director of the Darwin Military Museum, taking it through $14m of expansion, and is now

working with the Museum and government on military history research in a variety of areas. Dr Lewis has a long association with Northern Territory history, and is a multi-published author. His recent works include Zero Hour in Broome (with Peter Ingman), and Carrier Attack, released in October 2013, a forensic study carried out with Peter Ingman on the realities of the first Darwin air raids.

Broadcasting with the ABC at the Seventieth Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin.

Dr. Lewis is in demand as a speaker at a variety of events, and has appeared in several documentaries. His latest project is to spread the word that Australia was at war in its north for two years in 1942-45, raided on an almost-weekly basis – but that the country has little understanding of this part of its history. Tom lives in Darwin; is married with two daughters, and has interests in astronomy, collecting antique swords, and tournament chess.

Other Committee members include:

Vice-chairman - the Hon Grant Tambling AM, Hon Sec/Treasurer – Michael Martin OAM, Luke Gosling OAM, Nora Lewis AM, Peter Carew AM, and Wendy James OAM.

The AGM was held at the newly built Lord’s Taverners Training facility at NT Cricket headquarters.

Tony Judd, Cricket Head Coach of the NT

Institute of Sport was our guest speaker.Tony was appointed senior coach of the NT Side and during 2013 he coached them to victories over SA Redbacks and WA Scorchers. At the same time the NT side played in the final of South Australia’s Premier League T20 Cup. OAA NT’s resident cricket tragic Michael Martin confirms this was the best ever performance by an NT Cricket team and Tony was a major contributing influence. Tony enthralled his audience with tales from Scotland and around Australia, but it was his passion for young Territorians and their opportunity to play at the highest level that impressed us all.

Dr. Tom Lewis presented a cheque for $1,000 from the NT Branch of the OAA to NT Cricket’s Red Dust program. a specifically designed cricket program for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. The program aims to provide sustainable and equal cricket opportunities for people living in remote areas of the NT. It enables local communities to create their own cricket culture and strives to equip teams so they are more easily able to participate in season competitions, community cricket carnivals and ultimately the annual Imparja Cup championships.

Indigenous players in Tiwi and Robinson River

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Australia Day Honours 2014

Four eminent Northern Territorians received honours in the Order of Australia in January this year:

Mrs Vicki O’HALLORAN was awarded an AM For significant service to people with a disability through roles with

a range of organisations, and to the community.

Ms Dawn LAWRIE was awarded an AM For significant service to public administration, particularly as an advocate

for social inclusion, and to the Parliament of the Northern Territory.

Mr Antonino RANDAZZO was awarded an OAM For service to business, and to the community.

Mr Giuseppe RANDAZZO was awarded an OAM For service to business, and to the community.

The Northern Territory Branch of the OAA congratulates these recipients on their wonderful achievement, and welcomes them to the Association.

An Evening to Honour Dr. Val Asche

Earlier this year the National Committee of the Order of Australia prepared a plaque in recognition of the contribution of Dr. Asche to the Association. The plaque was given to Dr. Tom Lewis at the National Conference in Melbourne to bring to Darwin for presentation to Dr. Asche, and a social function was specially convened last Tuesday, April 15, to celebrate this commendation. Some forty members of the NT Chapter of the OAA enjoyed the hospitality of the Honorable Grant and Mrs. Tambling and the opportunity to express their appreciation of Dr. Asche’s leadership of the NT group. The citation reads:

Presented to Dr Valerie Asche

Director NT, 2011-2013

in appreciation of her valuable service

to the Order of Australia Association.

Dr. Tom Lewis brought good wishes from the National body of the OAA and paid his own respects to Val. With her husband, Austin, Dr Asche moved to the Northern Territory in 1986, where she worked as senior research officer within the Microbiology Unit at the Menzies School of Health Research, and sessional microbiologist at Royal Darwin Hospital. Author of several books, and Frontline Australia Ambassador, Dr. Asche was awarded many honours for her work and service, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Australian Society of Microbiology 1991, Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem 1993, Distinguished Service Award of Australia 2000, Member of the Order of Australia 2001, Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary (N.T.) 2007, Senior Australian of Year 2000. Val served on our committee for ten years - we have truly enjoyed her warmth and intellect, and will miss her leadership.

Some others enjoying the social function last Tuesday -

Below – Mrs. Sarena Randazzo and Mrs. Dawn Lawrie AM

Mrs. Lyn Martin

Left – Mr. Tony Randazzo OAM & Mrs. Randazzo

Above – Mrs. Annie Ellis and Ruth Boveington from Government House.

Right – The Hon Grant Tambling, host, and Dr. Val Asche, honoured guest.

Mrs. Daphne Read shared news of Karynne Lake, OAA Foundation Scholarship recipient.

Karynne is studying a Bachelor of social work at CDU. While challenged by the rigors of assignments and deadlines, under Daph’s mentorship Karynne is making progress.

Order of Australia Association

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