ACADEMICS, conservationists and more have been acknowledged in the Hunter and on the Central Coast in this year's Australia Day honours.
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Carrington's Emeritus Professor Thomas Boulton received an AM for his significant service to medical education and paediatric medicine. The former University of Newcastle professor of paediatrics has worked at several universities and has been a fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians since 1977.
Professor Boulton is also a Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club life member and an ambassador of the National Organisation for the Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Umina Beach's Dr Dedee Woodside also earned the prestigious AM title for her animal conservation efforts. Dr Woodside, who was a director of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia for a decade, was acknowledged for her work across a range of advistory boards and her longstanding leadership at Taronga and Western Plains Zoo.
Dr Woodside was director and general manager of the zoos until 2000.
The region had a raft of OAM recipients in the honours announced on Sunday including Newcastle charity director Julie Ainsworth, the Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association's Aubrey Brooks, University of Newcastle archivist Gionni di Gravio and Newcastle sports reporter and Newcastle Rugby League board member Leigh Maughan.
Raymond Terrace's Dianne Ball was acknowledged for service to the indigenous community for her work as a member of the Hunter Health Committee, as co-founder and executive director of Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation, as deputy chair of Awabakal and as a founding member of the Raymond Terrace Driver Training Program.
Kincumber's David Booth was recognised for service to Gosford through a range of organisations. John Cootes Furniture Warehouse founder John Cootes won an OAM in honour of his efforts with organisations including Men of League, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Speers Point Sailing Club.
East Gosford's Christopher Cox was named an OAM for work with Young in Performing Arts and Gosford Musical Society as well as volunteering with the NSW State Emergency Service, Red Cross Young Parents Program and acting as treasurer for the Central Coast Referees Association.
Longstanding Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club and Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club's Dennis Gee was acknowledged for his 60 years of service to the movement, which included boat coaching and captaincy, while former Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Avoca Beach Rugby Club president Andrew Hoban was also named among the recipients.
Kay Lane won an OAM for her service to music and education for accomplishments including serving as vice-president of Music Teachers Association of NSW vice-president and secretary of its Newcastle branch.
Newcastle's Rosalind Murree-Allen was recognised for more than 27 years as a chorister in the Christ Church Cathedral's choir as well as volunteering int he cathedral shop and family ministry team, Rotary Club of Newcastle and as former New Lambton Public School assistant principal.
Sandra Navalli, an adjunct assistant professor and managing director of the Tamer Centre for Social Enterprise at Columbia University in New York who hails from Newcastle, received an OAM for her service to international education.
The Tamer Centre is designed to train business leaders to address social and environmental challenges.
Tuggerawong's Margaret Pearce received acknowledgment for her 21-year tenure in Lions Club International that has also included stints as charter president and district government.
Former Gosford North Rotary Club president Anthony Pearson was recognised for service to youth and the community for his work, including as chairman of Save Our Kids Suicide Prevention Program since 2013.
Stage and set designer John Stoddard, of Islington, has been recognised for a globe-spanning career in theatre, opera, ballet and film.
His works include productions for Opera Australia, Scottish Opera, State Opera of South Australia, Houston Grand Opera in Texas, Sydney Theatre Company, Royal Opera in Covent Garden in the United Kingdom and films including The Way Back, Evelyn and Pete's Meteor.
John Wareham, of Springfield, also received recognition for his work in aged welfare. His efforts include national president of Barbershop Harmony Australia - Australian Association of Men Barbershop Singers, co-founding Touring Old Farts and serving on the executive of Sydney Coin Club.