Australian King's Birthday Honours List - Recognition of Individuals

@JudyEv (331988)
Rockingham, Australia
June 10, 2024 8:55pm CST
Every year, in the King’s Birthday Honours list, Australia recognises a number of individuals who have given remarkable service to the community. It is one of the highest acknowledgments of community service that an Australian can receive. Recipients come from all walks of life and from all areas of achievement. There are various levels of award. A Medal of the Order of Australia was awarded to Donna Rousham of Darwin for her work with children with disabilities. This was given in recognition of her work with children with disabilities. Donna started the Starfish Swim Group in 2007 to cater for children with special needs. Donna’s daughter has Downs Syndrome, and although there were pools and water everywhere, children with disabilities didn’t fit into mainstream programmes. In 2021, Donna’s daughter broke a 200-metre freestyle world record by six seconds, without even realising it. I don’t know what record it was. Maybe it was a paralympics-type record. Whatever, it’s still a remarkable achievement. Photo is mine taken at a swim meet that we covered once.
22 people like this
17 responses
rebelann1949
@rebelann (111989)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Jun
I like your photos. I imagine Donna and her daughter are both very proud of that achievement.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
Some people do some great work behind the scenes and often don't get much acknowledgement.
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rebelann1949
@rebelann (111989)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Jun
It all depends on the person writing about that event
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
@rebelann The names have to put forward by individuals or organisations. You can't nominate yourself.
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George B Vieto
@Deepizzaguy (98033)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Jun
Congratulations to Donna Rousman for being rewarded for her work with children who are disabled.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
She certainly deserves her award.
2 people like this
George B Vieto
@Deepizzaguy (98033)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Jun
@JudyEv I am in agreement with you.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (174710)
• United States
11 Jun
I didn't know Australia ever had a king.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
We're still part of the Commonwealth so Charles is our King for the moment. There are many pushing for us to become a republic.
1 person likes this
Pen Ding
@Orson_Kart (6347)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun
I’ve not seen our list, but I’m pretty sure I have been overlooked. Again!
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Pen Ding
@Orson_Kart (6347)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun
@JudyEv What about - All round good egg?
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
@Orson_Kart That'll do it! All good all-round eggs should be acknowledged.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
You have to have someone nominate you I think. Send me your details and I'll put your name forward for next year. Don't forget to say why you should be nominated - if you can think of something.
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Four Walls
@FourWalls (64231)
• United States
12 Jun
That’s great that she helps children with disabilities feel “normal” with things as simple as swimming. The honor (sorry, honour ) is very well-deserved!!!
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
Haha - thanks for the acknowledging the spelling. It doesn't really worry me but I'm too stubborn not to use the spelling I grew up with.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jun
@FourWalls Mostly I try to put both now but I also don't mind having to use the conversion feature if I need to. Mostly I have a fairly good knowledge of what equals what. At least knowledge enough for what I need.
1 person likes this
Greenery8
@grenery8 (5901)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
11 Jun
impressive recognition and photos, as well.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
Thanks. We had a very busy weekend at the swim meet.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jun
@grenery8 The photo was taken several years ago.
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Greenery8
@grenery8 (5901)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
12 Jun
@JudyEv i thought Vince is resting?
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Always smiling
@allknowing (132070)
• India
11 Jun
Well deserved award.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
I think so too. People like Donna are incredibly important to those they're mentoring.
Anna
@LadyDuck (466074)
• Switzerland
11 Jun
I am glad that Donna was honored with a medal, I admire people who spend time taking care of children with disabilities. I imagine you celebrate King's Charles birthday.
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Anna
@LadyDuck (466074)
• Switzerland
11 Jun
@JudyEv I remember that also in Monte Carlo we celebrated the Prince Rainier's Birthday in November, when he was born the last day of May.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
Yes, Donna deserves recognition. We have a public holiday for the King's birthday although it's never on his birthday.
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Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (49714)
• United States
11 Jun
Donna deserves the acknowledgement.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
She does indeed. There were a number of people who do great work in their communities who received awards.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (314741)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
11 Jun
That's great you have the King's Birthday Honors. Donna's daughter is amazing, she deserves the medal, and her mother the award.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (314741)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Jun
@JudyEv Yes, they are.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
Both have done incredibly well. They are well deserving of their successes.
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Jessica
@JESSY3236 (19393)
• United States
11 Jun
That's so cool. I have a cousin with Downs Syndrome. cool pictures.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
People underestimate how much they are capable of.
1 person likes this
Dena Miller
@Dena91 (16277)
• United States
11 Jun
How special that Donna was recognized for her work with children with disabilities. Congratulations to her daughter for breaking the record.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
It's lovely that people like Donna have the chance to be recognised.
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (18092)
• London, England
11 Jun
Sounds like your honour system is working better than over here. Most of the higher awards seem to go to people who are friends of politicians
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun
Really? Lots of 'ordinary' and 'extraordinary' people get recognised with these awards. There are several levels. Sports people, pollies and celebrities often get awards too for their 'contribution to whatever' but there always seems to be a genuine reason for the award.
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (18092)
• London, England
13 Jun
@JudyEv Knighthoods and Lordships go to mates, while people who work hard for charities and the like end up with lesser awards
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Sam The Godfather
@DevMrSamEleazar (14058)
• Philippines
11 Jun
Thank you for sharing that. I just learned something new again about what other countries are.. I wonder what gadget did you use getting this photo?? because its so high definition and not blurry.. Your hands are so steady.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
It's a SLR camera and I have a good lens. I would have zoomed in on the swimmers as much as possible. Thanks for the compliment.
1 person likes this
Sam The Godfather
@DevMrSamEleazar (14058)
• Philippines
12 Jun
@JudyEv oohh I see. but if you zoomed in as much as possible its kinda shakey because swimmers are fast.. and you captured it clearly.. YOU CAN BE A SNIPER you got some steady hands in ultra magnification.. You're welcome
1 person likes this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (135930)
• Roseburg, Oregon
11 Jun
Those people that get recognized for what they do deserve the award that they get.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
That's for sure. Some do quite amazing work.
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LindaOH
@LindaOHio (166289)
• United States
11 Jun
That's a wonderful program and a wonderful accomplishment. Great photos. Have a good day.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
The people are all nominated by friends or relatives. Most would go unrecognised most of the time so these awards are a great idea.
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M Cheung
@Beestring (13901)
• Hong Kong
11 Jun
Donna Rousham of Darwin deserves the Award. I like the photos.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (331988)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jun
I'm glad you like the photos. We spend two full days at a swim meet and barely sat down the whole time. We were exhausted at the end of it.
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