PNGAA congratulates Barry Francis KIRBY AO, Susan McGrade OBE, Charlie Lynn OAM and Greg Anderson OBE for their awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018.

Charlie Lynn OAM
For service to the people and Parliament of New South Wales
Australia

Susan McGrade OBE
For service to commerce and the community of Rabaul
PNG

Greg Anderson OBE – PNG
For service to the community and commerce in the mining and petroleum sectors
PNG

Barry Francis KIRBY AO
For distinguished service to Australia-Papua New Guinea relations through the development and delivery of maternal health medical assistance programs.
Australia

On Sky News Encore of 11 June 2018 The Honourable Shane L Stone AC QC and Chair the Council for the Order of Australia spoke about the long term commitment to community that most recipients have.

When asked to recall particularly memorable ones, the two he mentioned were Frank Alcorta OAM and Keith Payne VC AM – both respected members of the Papua New Guinea Association of Australia Inc (PNGAA).

Charlie Lynn OAM generously assisted the PNGAA in hosting the 2014 Anzac Centenary Commemorative Symposium at NSW Parliament House, Sydney. See photo gallery at https://pngaa.org/journal/photo-gallery/nggallery/events/symposium-2014

He has crossed the strenuous Kokoda Track 92 times, served in NSW Parliament and been awarded Papua New Guinea’s second highest honour.

Today he became a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia, saying he was humbled to receive the Queen’s Birthday Honour.

“I was greatly honoured to receive the Officer of the Order of Logohu in Papua New Guinea two years ago and I feel greatly honoured again,” Mr Lynn said.

“Honestly it was a real surprise – there are people out there who have done much more than me.”

During his 20 years in Parliament Mr Lynn was a member of the Legislative Council, Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Opposition Leader.

Mr Lynn served in the army for more than 20 years.
He was posted in many places across the world including Vietnam and America.
During his travels Mr Lynn visited the site of the Kokoda Track campaign.

“I had seen many beautiful memorials at battlefields but there was nothing at Kokoda,” he said.
“I have been working with Network Kokoda for about 22 years establishing a relationship with indigenous people in Papua New Guinea to preserve the Kokoda Track.
“We have had to earn their respect and trust through creating agriculture programs and health programs and we are also building a tuberculosis isolation unit there.”
Mr Lynn also runs Adventure Kokoda which is a company that operates tours of the historic battle trail.
“We want to generate awareness about the significance of the track,” he said.
“I have always wanted the Australian government to come up with a masterplan to protect the site – if I could choose between a masterplan and this OAM I would choose the masterplan.”

Many Australians who lived and worked in Papua New Guinea have continued to quietly excel in various fields. Highlighting these extraordinary people who have lived in and contributed to the development of Papua New Guinea help to educate other Australians about this history.
If you wish to nominate someone, visit https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/nomination-forms

With thanks to the Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser News.