Twice each year, Order of Australia awards are bestowed to recognize service and achievements of people who have gone ‘above and beyond’.
Redlands residents in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honor’s list
The 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List included five people identified as Redlands residents.
Faith Baisden was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to Indigenous language preservation and education. Faith has written and illustrated children’s books, advised the State Library of Queensland on Indigenous Languages, and been an Australian Representative on the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages Global Task Force. She is also a volunteer at the Redlands Coast Musem.
Annabelle Alexander received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the arts, and to the community. Annabelle has served in many voluntary committee roles for community organizations including the Redlands Coast Museum, the Redland Arts Council, Transplant Australia, and Redland Lawn Tennis Association.
Doug Alexander received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the arts, and to the community. Doug has served as President of the Redlands Coast Museum for three two year terms as well as serving in other committee roles. He has also served in committee roles for Australian Transplant (Queensland), and coached junior sports.
Charles Sherrin received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to veterans and their families. Charles (better known as Chad) has been a volunteer, supporting Vietnam Widows, for over 30 years, and has been a Board Member for the Legacy Veteran Culture and Communications Committee. He’s also a Redlands Coast Museum volunteer.
Cindel Richardson received an Emergency Services Medal (ESM) for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service. Cindel served as incident commander during Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025 and Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015. She pioneered innovative training programs emphasising advanced rescue techniques and emergency management strategies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the QLD SES.
A more detailed account of the service and achievements of all award recipients can be found in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List.
Kathleen Noonan recognized with OAM
Redlands2030 was pleased to see that Kathleen Noonan has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to social welfare. Kathleen is a former journalist and columnist recognized for her service though the Second Chance program.
Kathleen is not a Redlands resident, but some years ago she was one of the first people to write critically in mainstream media about Walker Group’s plans for development of 3,600 apartments on the Toondah Harbour wetlands.
Her piece “How did such a wildly inappropriate development get this far?” published 7-8 July 2018 helped to increase public awareness of (and opposition to) the Toondah proposal.
Subsequently, Kathleen spoke at a Redlands2030 fundraiser and in April 2024 she spoke at an event in G.J. Walter Park to celebrate Walker Group withdrawing its Toondah Harbour EIS.
The Order of Australia Awards
The Order of Australia awards were instituted by the Federal Government in 1975. Recognition includes:
- Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia or to humanity at large;
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large;
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group;
- The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition;
- Medals awarded for meritorious service including the Public Service Medal, Emergency Service Medal and Australian Corrections Medal.
Anyone can nominate a member of the community for an award in the Order of Australia. It is normal for the process of review and selection to take 18 months to two years.