Looking down the list you will find those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes as volunteers, they are the people who organise festivals, run museums, teach, they are the ones who fight the fires or serve the community as police officers.

They have all shown dedication to their communities and the region’s residents have done us proud once again. None of the recipients said they had expected this recognition, but worked hard in their jobs or in their communities because they were willing and able.

Included in our honours are those who have previously served our communities, although they may not still reside in the area.

In this year’s honours list, the region is represented by:

* Ronald William Greer OAM for services to the community of Tamworth;

*The Reverend Dr Harold Geoffrey Cummins OAM for services to the community of Nundle through a range of organisations;

* Edward (Ted) Eric Taylor of Manilla received the Australian Fire Service Medal;

* Hazel Enid Green from Armidale OAM for service to the Indigenous community of New England;

* Walter O’Hara of Armidale OAM for service to gymnastics and to education;

* Edgar Patrick Bradley from Armidale received the Australian Fire Service Medal;

* Colin John Campbell OAM of Inverell for service to the community of Inverell;

* Joan Ticehurst OAM for service to the community of Inverell; 

* Shane Glenn Bradford of Narrabri received the Australian Fire Service Medal;

* The late Marie Frances Adams, formerly of Wee Waa, OAM for service to the community of Belmont, particularly through the Australian Red Cross;

* Senior Sergeant Malcolm Wallace Unicomb, served on the Western Region Highway Patrol received the Australian Police Medal; 

* Graham Charles Gibson, a former captain of the Narrabri Golf Club, OAM for service to the community of Taree; and

* Beryl Ethel Connah OAM for service to aged-care and to midwifery education in developing countries and was formerly a liaison officer for the Home and Community Care Centre on Armidale Dumaresq Council in the 1980s and a nurse educator at Armidale Hospital in the 1970s.