UPDATED: Moree Police Station officer-in-charge, Inspector Helen McWilliam, has been awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force.

Governor-General Ms Sam Mostyn announced Honours and Awards for 732 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Inspector McWilliam joined the NSW Police Force in September, 1999 and was stationed at Marrickville Police Station.

She spent some time there, including nine months in an education and training role.

In November, 2008 she was promoted to sergeant at the Leichhardt Local Area Command, before transferring to Moree Police Station, performing general duties.

In 2021, she was promoted to inspector at the New England Police District and is currently performing the role of officer in charge of Moree Police Station.

Her dedication is crucial to issues impacting youth within the community, with a down-to-earth and human approach to caregivers and seeking their agreement to work collaboratively with police has been key to divergence of Indigenous youth from the criminal justice system.

In July, 2021 she co-ordinated an extensive search operation for a young Aboriginal male within the Gwydir River and surrounds.

This operation was extremely sensitive in nature where cultural issues were prevalent.

Considered a critical incident, Inspector McWilliam displayed effective, considerate and measured interpersonal communication skills, and her sincerity was acknowledged by the State Coroner.

In October, 2022, the Moree Plains Shire and surrounds were greatly affected by extensive flooding of the Gwydir River.

This caused damage to the township of Moree with several community members losing their houses to this devastating flood event, while suffering extensive damage to her personal home, she maintained her role in the Moree community taking a significant role in the management and recovery operation.

The then-mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council, Mark Johnson, commended her for involvement in the co-ordinated response, respect to the community and diligence in this operation.

Inspector McWilliam’s genuine nature and high-level capabilities as a police officer and senior leader has earned her a great deal of respect from the community of Moree.

As a ‘country cop’, Inspector McWilliam works above and beyond in the Moree community.

Inspector McWilliam is one of eight NSW Police Force employees recognised for outstanding service as part of this year’s Australia Day Honours.

NSW Police Force Commissioner, Karen Webb, and Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmin Catley congratulated the group of senior NSW Police Force officers.

Commissioner Webb said she was immensely proud of the officers recognised in today’s celebrations.

“These officers have gone above and beyond what it means to be a dedicated member of the NSW Police Force and I am so glad they are receiving the recognition they deserve,” she said.

“From various achievements across the operational and proactive side of policing, their contributions have been remarkable.

“I am so proud of their efforts in serving the community of NSW and I thank them for their hard work.”

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, said Inspector McWilliam’s recognition was well-deserved.

“Congratulations to Helen for being recognised and honoured with an Australian Police Medal,” Mr Moylan said.

“The recognition is a testament to her dedication and commitment to the police force for more than two decades. Thank you, Helen, for your service to the community.”

Across the north-west and New England region, Inverell Shire councillor Di Baker was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to local government, and to the community of Inverell.

Mrs Baker has been an Inverell councillor since 1999 and was deputy mayor in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

She has also been a member of the NSW branch of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association since 1999, and was president from 2022 until 2024.

Armidale dentist, Dr Alexander Moule, was awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to dentistry as a clinician and academic, and to professional associations.

Walcha’s Anna Barwick received an OAM for service to the pharmacy profession.

Throughout her career in the industry, Mrs Barwick has held numerous roles within the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, performed in many community-based programs, has worked as a lecturer at the University of New England, founded PharmOnline and received various awards.

Narrabri’s Patricia Hadley was awarded an OAM for service to the community of Narrabri, Rotary, Inner Wheel, RSL, Ladies Auxiliary, RFS, Parkinson’s support group and other community-based involvements.

Founder and chief executive officer of Sober in the Country, Shanna Whan from Maules Creek, received an AM for significant service to community health.

Dennis Lowder from Wee Waa received an OAM for service to veterans, and to the community of Wee Waa and an Emergency Service Medal went to Tony Battam of Narrabri for distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service.

A Public Service Medal was awarded to Bill Birch, also of Narrabri, for outstanding public service to local government and economic development in the Narrabri Shire.

Wayne Keel, from Halls Creek near Tamworth, was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service.

Mr Keel joined the Namoi River Rural Fire Brigade in 2003, and quickly progressed to the position of brigade captain.

After overseeing the successful amalgamation of the Upper Manilla and Namoi River brigades, in 2016 he transferred to Halls Creek Brigade, where he holds the positions of deputy captain, treasurer and secretary.

Mr Keel is recognised by his community for his ongoing commitment to the NSW Rural Fire Service and local volunteer organisations.

At Tamworth, Robyn Blakely, a senior counsellor with Anglicare New England North West for 20 years, received an OAM for service to the community of Tamworth.

She was a founding Member of the Tamworth Art and Craft Society in the mid-1970s and a foundation member of the National Fibre Art Collection.

Mrs Blakely has been a member of the St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Tamworth, parish council since 2017 as well as a volunteer at the Op Shop Ministry, also since 2017.

Returned and Services League of Australia Narrabri Sub-Branch life member Dennis Lowder was awarded an OAM for service to veterans, and to the community of Wee Waa.

Mr Lowder is a Returned and Services League North West District Council former president and was also Wee Waa Sub-Branch president for 15 years.

Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan extended heartfelt congratulations to all regional recipients of Australia Day honours and awards.

Mr Moylan extended heartfelt congratulations to all regional recipients of Australia Day honours and awards.

“It is excellent to see people from across the Northern Tablelands honoured for dedication to their communities and their professions,” Mr Moylan said.

“There is a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds and areas of expertise who received these accolades but they all have demonstrated outstanding commitment in their field.

“I congratulate each and every one of them and thank them for their service.”

Governor-General Ms Sam Mostyn congratulations all Australia Day honours recipients.

“Thank-you for your work of care and service to our nation,” The governor-general said.

“To read recipient stories is to be reminded that contribution to communities across the country, underpinned by care, kindness, respect and love, is what matter most to all Australians, in every sphere of life. Recipients embody the best of us, and we are grateful to all of them.

“This year, we mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s honours system. We have a wonderful opportunity over the next 50 years of our honours and awards to reflect our generous, successful and modern Australian society.

“To all Australians, nominating and honouring our fellow Australians is a meaningful way of saying, as a nation, thank you.

“To all the remarkable 2025 Australia Day honours recipients today we celebrate you,” the governor-general said.

In addition to the 457 award recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia (six AC, 23 AO, 108 AM and 320 OAM), today’s Honours list includes 25 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (one AO, 11 AM and 13 OAM), 196 Meritorious Awards and three Distinguished and 51 Conspicuous Awards.

Recipients will attend investiture ceremonies at the Government House in their respective state or territory in the coming months to receive the insignia of their award.

The list includes 24 Australians recognised for their contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These individuals will also be included in an ongoing and permanent COVID-19 Honour Roll.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia.

If you know someone worthy, nominate them now at www.gg.gov.au.