The Order Winter 2013 - Order of Australia Association

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The Order No. 33, Winter 2013
People and places in the news
Postcard from the past
In response to the article on postcards in the last edition of The Order,
Frederick Kummerow OAM of Angaston, SA, writes that his father, Johann,
sent this postcard in December 1912 to his younger brother, Charles.
Johann (“Jack”), 20, worked on the Queensland Railways at Charleville.
Mr Kummerow writes, “This is the original B-Double transport of a century
ago.” The postcard reads, “Well Chas I am sending you one of the big
loads of wool — this is a bonsor — we handled a few loads like this they
have up to 15 tons on 28 to 30 bullocks. This load is just near the railway
yard, you can see the signal near the mark (x) and you can see where he
carries his bed and the water cask where I marked (x). See the way they
have of twiching the load thats steel wire ropes. Some come as far as 250
miles. Some have from 50 to 100 bales on. They have some fine bullock
teams they make good money but a rough life some of them have their
families with them we have a good time when five or six
come to unload they go and get beer by the bucket full.
Well Chas I will close now so goodbye from Jack.”
Australian Kiaps formally recognised
Applications for the Police Overseas Service Medal
have formally opened for Australian Kiaps who
served in Papua New Guinea after World War II. The
Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, has
made a declaration under the Police Overseas Service
Medal Regulations to recognise the work of “Kiaps”,
former patrol officers who were members of the Royal
Papua New Guinea Constabulary between 1949 and 1973.
Australian police officers who served with the Royal
Papua New Guinea Constabulary during the same period
of time will also be eligible to apply.
Between 1949 and 1973, about 2000 Australians served
as officers of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare said,“They have
never been properly recognised for the work they did to
maintain order and stability in Papua New Guinea. This
is righting a wrong. It is long overdue recognition of the
important work they did.”
New Customs Reform Board
Three distinguished Australians with expertise in law
enforcement, corruption resistance and best-practice
business systems, make up the new Customs Reform
Board. They are:
The Honourable James Wood AO QC, former Royal
Commissioner of the NSW Royal Commission into
the NSW Police Service
Mr Ken Moroney AO APM, former Commissioner of the
NSW Police Force
Mr David Mortimer AO, Former CEO TNT Limited,
former Deputy Chairman of Ansett, former Chairman
of Australia Post and Leightons Holdings.
The top priority for the board is to provide advice and
recommendations to target corruption aggressively and
oversee the implementation of reforms to embed an
improved cultur of professionalism and integrity in the
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
New magistrates
An advisory panel comprising Chief Federal Magistrate
John Pascoe AO CVO, former Family Court judge Susan
Morgan and a senior Attorney-General’s Department
officer, recently assessed the suitability of 82 candidates
for two appointments to the Federal Magistrates’ Court of
Australia. Ms Alexandra Harland, in Darwin, and Ms Judy
Small, in Melbourne, have been appointed to the Federal
Magistrates Court as it changes its name to the Federal
Circuit Court of Australia.
Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism
Mr Bill Paterson AM has been succeeded as Australia’s
Ambassador for Counterterrorism by Mr Bill Fisher, who
will be Australia’s fifth Ambassador for Counterterrorism.
The position, based in Canberra, was established in March
2003 to assist in coordinating and promoting Australia’s
international counterterrorism efforts.
High Court judge retires
High Court judge Justice John Dyson Heydon AC
has retired after 10 years of service to the High Court of
Australia which has officially welcomed his successor,
Justice Patrick Keane, to the bench. at a recent swearing-in
ceremony in Canberra. The Honourable James Allsop has
been appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court.