Congratulations to Indi’s Australia Day 2021 Honours’ recipients for their outstanding service to our communities.

Medal of the Order of Australia

Ruffy and Creightons Creek champion shearer and shearing judge the late Stan Artridge OAM, for service to the wool industry, shearing and to the community for bushfire service. He was a life member of the Country Fire Authority.

Wodonga’s Graeme Manson OAM, for service to veterans, particularly as a compensation advocate, chair and management committee member of Hume Veterans’ Information Centre, and to the community through the Wodonga City Council assistance funding committee.

Wangaratta’s Ron Webb OAM JP for service to the community, as mayor and councillor, to Lions, as chair of emergency support organisation Loaves and Fishes – Christians Caring, and to Probus, Kennel Club, Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, Country Fire Authority, and men’s cancer and autism support.

Public Service Medal

Alexandra science communicator and conservation specialist Fern Hames PSM, for outstanding public service to nature conservation in Victoria. Ms Hames supported community recovery in Marysville following the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

Australian Police Medal

Wangaratta Victoria Police superintendent Joy Arbuthnot APM, for distinguished service to policing and the community, championing the cause for women and social inclusiveness, leadership, and commitment to ‘Closing the Gap’ for Indigenous people.

Alexandra Victoria Police Detective Darren Gleeson APM, for dedicated service to Murrindindi, Mansfield, Mitchell and Strathbogie communities as a detective, leading the Black Saturday fire scene investigation at Marysville in 2009, and as a serious crimes and specialist investigator.

Australian Fire Service Medal

Barnawartha North’s Ross Coyle AFSM, for service to the Country Fire Authority and emergency service leadership in North East communities, and community safety.

Emergency Service Medal

Wodonga’s Lisa Wise ESM, for leadership of the State Emergency Service units in Wodonga and Wangaratta, and in training, road crash rescue and fire deployment.