By Bev Jordan
AM
Family Court Judge and Hills local Justice Garry Allan Watts has been awarded an AM for significant service to the law, and to the judiciary, particularly to the Family Court.
He has been a Judge in the Family Court of Australia since 2005 and has held significant roles while in office. He was a solicitor from 1976-2005 and was a senior partner at Watts McCray before being appointed a Judge of the Family Court.
Justice Watts was Co-author, Report on ‘Protocol for the division of work between the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court’. He is a member, Family Law Council, Attorney General’s Department, 2004-2012, former President, Parramatta and District Law Society. Former Independent Children’s Lawyer, Australian Legal Aid Office and Legal Aid Commission. Former Volunteer and Duty Solicitor, Minda Children’s Court.
OAM
Kazi Khalequzzaman ALI OAM of Cherrybrook has been awarded an OAM for service to the Islamic community.
He has been Chairman of the Cemetery Trust, Rockwood Cemetery, since 1983 and a member of the Riverstone Muslim Cemetery Board, since 2001. He is also Chairman of the Muslim Lawn, Kemps Creek Cemetery, since 2018.
A holder of various Interfaith roles, he is a supporter and benefactor of The Lions Club of Sydney South Shapla Shaluk. President, Islamic Society of NSW (aka Surry Hills Mosque), 1983, founding member, Quakers Hill Mosque, (Bangladeshi) Rooty Hill Mosque, Parramatta Mosque and Sefton Mosque (Bangladeshi).
Associate Member, Institute of Credit Management Australia. Justice of the Peace, NSW, since 1984. Financial Accountant, Cooperative Wholesale Society (Meat Group), prior to 1981.
James Brice OAM from Castle Hill
For service to music education and performance.
James has been Musical Director of the Castle Hill RSL Youth Wind Orchestra and Musical Director of the North West Wind Ensemble, since 2006. He is also the Musical Director, NSW State Youth Concert Band, a role he has held for the past 10 years.
James is Head of Co-Curricular Performing Arts, at Knox Grammar School (since 2013) and Director of Instrumental Performance, since 2008 and was Seasonal Guest Conductor, Monash University Wind Symphony (2012-2017)
He has been on several committees and is currently Music Advisor, State and National Band competitions. A private music teacher, he was Principal Euphonium/Trombone and Tuba in the Royal Australian Air Force Air Command Band and has recorded, conducted and produced several CD recordings including for ABC Live and 2MBS FM.
Lorna Clayton OAM from Glenhaven
For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Member of U3A Greater Western Sydney (University of the Third Age) since 1993. Committee member for 15 years andVice-President, 2002. Made Honorary Life Member in2010. Publications include: Old Enough to Know Better, U3A, 1999 and Many a Good Tune, U3A, 2003.
Founded the Writers Festival Group for residents Living Choice Glenhaven in 2015 and is a founding member of the Poetry Group. Winner of The Premier’s Seniors Award in 2000.
Kay De Luca and her late husband, Anthony De Luca from Glenhaven, have both been awarded OAMsfor service to motoring clubs, and to the community.
Anthony was a member of the Council of Motor Clubs for over 35 years and was a former Vice President. He co-ordinated the annual Concours Event (now known as Shannons Sydney Classic), for over 25 years.
He was a founding Member, BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group, circa 1998 and former Secretary of the Leyland P76 Owners Club NSW.
Anthony was a volunteer with the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers for 40 years and an executive Committee Member, 10 years.
A Justice of the Peace for over 30 years, he was a Founding Member of the Hornsby Branch of the NSW Justices Association (2004) andVice-President (2015-2016).
He was a member of Friends of Bella Vista Farm and a volunteer with the St Vincent De Paul Society.
Kay De Luca was Treasurer and Committee Member of the Council of Motor Clubs for 12 years and is secretary of the BMC-Leyland Australian Heritage Group (since 2012), Secretary and treasurer of the Leyland P76 Owners Club of NSW since 2010. And is the Public Officer.
Kay was Director of Lenity Australia (formerly Chatswood Community Care Association) from 2002-2018.
She has been a Justice of the Peace for 28 years and a member of the NSW Justices Association, Hornsby Branch since 1997 and has held several executive roles including secretary and treasurer.
Her volunteering has included the St Vincent De Paul Society and Friends of Bella Vista Farm, 2006-2017.
Beverley Garside OAM of Glenhaven
For service to community health
Beverley has been President of the Australian Thyroid Foundation since 1999.and a member since 1996. For the past five years she has been the Chief Executive Officer.
Beverley is the Australian representative with the Thyroid Federation International.
Her community roles have been varied including seven years as a counsellor with Child Abuse Prevention Service, canteen manager with St Matthew’s Netball Club, Baulkham Hills, 1995-1997 and President, School Council, Model Farms High School at Baulkham Hills (1992-1995). She has been a director at Autoplex Pty Ltd, since 1986.
Carol Murphy OAM, North Kellyville
For service to netball.
Carol Murphy has had a major presence not only with the Baulkham Hills District Netball Association but with the state organisation. She has been a Board director with the New South Wales Netball Association since 2009 and is a Life Member, having held several State positions including Deputy Chair and NNSW Delegate to NSW Commonwealth Games Committee.
She has been a member of Baulkham Hills District Netball Association since 1993 and has held several key positions and is currently a member of the Finance, Complex and Strategic Development Committees. She was President, Vice-President and Treasurer, between 1993 and 2008.
She has been a member of the Impalas Netball Club for 35 years and has been President, Treasurer and Umpires Convenor. Carol was Team Manager, Under 23s, Greater Western Sydney Fury, Netball NSW Premier League from 2019 – 2021.
Patricia D’Apice, OAM from North Rocks
For service to people with Vision Impairment.
Royal Institution for Deaf and Blind Children
- Senior Consultant / Teacher Vision Impairment, current.
- Adjunct Lecturer, Renwick College, 2005.
- Organiser, Braille camp.
Educational
- Teacher, Education Program, Fiji, 2006-2010.
- Teacher, Vision Australia School, 2006.
- Deputy Principal and Teacher, St Lucy’s School, 1985-2006.
Other
- Pacific Regional Secretary, International Council for Education of People with Vision Impairment, since 2006.
- Former NSW Convenor, South Pacific Division, Educators in Vision Impairment, 1990s.
- Honorary Life Member, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment
- Convenor, Sydney Braille Forum, Australian Braille Authority, 2016-2017.
The late Brian Powyer OAM (photo) formerly of Northmead
For service to the community through history preservation organisations.
Brian Powyer, a retired school principal, was a former President and Deputy president of the National Trust NSW and a Board director for five years (2014 to 2019)
He was an active member of the Parramatta Branch, National Trust NSW and was chairman for four years and former treasurer. He was a volunteer guide at Old Government House, Parramatta and at Hambledon Cottage Parramatta.
He was an executive member at both Parramatta and District Historical Society and Blacktown and District Historical Society holding several positions, including President.
Brian was President of the Australian Council of National Trusts, Member of the Roxy Theatre Action Group.
A former member of the Hills Shire Bushland Conservation Committee, he was on the Bidjigal Reserve Trust Board, Former Secretary, Excelsior Park Bushland Society and Former Treasurer, Cumberland Land Conservancy Group. 2007.
His long career in education included being Assistant Director Curriculum, NSW Department of Education and head of NSW Primary Principals Association.
He was school principal at several schools across Sydney including Winston Hills Public School (1997-2002).
The late Lionel Smith OAM formerly of Kenthurst
For service to emergency response organisations, and to the community.
Lionel was an RFS member for over 70 years.
He joined the Rural Fire Service in 1944s and was a foundation member of the Oakville Brigade.
He was a Life member of Kenthurst RFS and Deputy Captain for over 30 years.
He was Deputy Controller of the Windsor State Emergency Service from 1955 to 1982 and a former SES volunteer.
He held several roles with the RFS and was Chair of the Fire Control Officers Association of NSW for 10 years.
A great community volunteer he was President and Secretary of Computer Pals for Seniors – The Hills from 1998 and was a member, President and secretary of the Mercedes-Benz Club New South Wales
He was a Justice of the Peace for 50 years.
Bastiaan John VAN DONGEN, OAM Cherrybrook
For service to the Dutch community of Sydney.
Treasurer of the NSW Klaverjas Federation for over 20 years.
