Tamworth rugby league figure Jim Cox received an OAM for his contributions to the game, serving it for more than 50 years.

He has served as a player, coach, selector and board member. 

Dr Jenny May has also been honoured with an AM for significant service to community health in rural and regional areas as a general practitioner, to professional medical groups, and to education. 

Gurley’s John Tramby received an OAM for service to local government and to the community of Moree. 

He has been a councillor with Moree Plains Shire since 1995 and served as mayor between 2004 and 2007 and has been a volunteer with the Gurley Rural Fire Service for more than 50 years and is with the Moree SES. 

Tingha’s Sue Blacklock has received an AM in the birthday honours list.

Aunty Sue was honoured for her significant service to the Indigenous community through advocacy roles for improved child welfare, kinship care and cultural identity.

  The Honourable George Souris of Singleton also received an AM for significant service to the people and Parliament of NSW, and to the community of the Upper Hunter.

Also named in the Queen’s birthday honours list was former Wallaby great Greg Cornelsen. 

The one-time rugby union flanker who played for Australia between 1974 and 1982, and a former farmer from the ranges east of Armidale, who now lives and works on the Gold Coast, was honoured with an OAM for his services to rugby union.

See The Leader’s full story on Cornelsen and a special look back at the “bearded bushranger’s” Test later this week.