The Governor General's Plus Ultra

This year's Australia Day honours list included four St Peters Old Scholars. Shannon King honours them here, acknowledging their service to country.

Bob Krause OAM (1953) Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Marburg

Robert (Bob) Krause has called Marburg home for the better part of nine decades and the retired dairy farmer and father of four has become something of a local identity, having served the community of this rural town for most of his life.

Over the years, Bob’s volunteer work has seen him involved with the Junior Farmers’ Organisation (Rural Youth), Marburg Rural Fire Brigade, St Matthews Lutheran Church, Bethany Primary School in Raceview, Ipswich Council City-Country Consultative Group, and as Chair for the Marburg State School Centenary Celebrations. He was also involved with the establishment of Faith Lutheran College in Plainland where he was initially a planning committee member, then College Council member for 10 years.

Bob’s work with the Lutheran Church, in particular Lutheran Youth, saw the acquisition of land in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast that then became Luther Heights Youth Camp. But his proudest achievement is his nearly 60 years involvement with the Marburg Show Society where he started as a schoolboy exhibitor and then went on to serve as committee member, steward, vice president, then as president for over a decade.

Bob believes his passion for volunteering was sparked by his parents who were always helping at church, school or in the local farming community. He also felt that his two years of boarding at St Peters helped to widen his interests and ‘opened a window’ for him. He is quick to acknowledge the unwavering support of his wife Janet, who looked after their children and kept things running while he was away.

Describing his recognition in the 2022 Australia Day Honours list as an ‘absolute honour’, Bob said: “It’s very gratifying to know that some people thought I did something good along the way through life”.

Dr Christine Biggs (Winzour, 1981) Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the international community through diplomatic service

Over the past 30-plus years, Dr Christine Biggs’ diplomatic service has taken her to cities around the world from Riyadh, Damascus and Vienna to Ankara, Tehran, and their neighbouring countries. Accompanying her husband on diplomatic postings has seen Christine involved in many community service activities such as distributing hygiene kits in refugee camps, providing mobile library services to primary schools in disadvantaged areas, organising bazaars, exhibitions, and fundraising events, and serving on charitable societies and committees.

Christine (pictured with Governor General, David Hurley), describes the opportunity to live and serve in these places as ‘a great privilege’ and believes that acts of kindness and connecting with the local people though volunteering have been key to helping them form great friendships and overcome barriers, be they of language, geography, or politics.

Venturing outside of embassy circles and capital cities to explore the country and immerse themselves in the local culture has enabled Christine, her husband Ian (currently Australia’s Ambassador for Arms Control and CounterProliferation) and their children to share many memorable experiences. Christine and her husband have swum the Dardanelles from Eceabat on the European side to Canakkale in Asia, and their children have learned to ski in the Austrian alps, ice skate in Vienna’s Eislauf-Verein and sail on the Danube.

Christine says it is highly unusual for the contribution of a diplomatic spouse to be acknowledged in this way, and that she is ‘deeply honoured’ by the recognition of her voluntary service to the international community in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.

Diplomacy, Christine says, is all about ‘observing and listening, negotiation and compromise’. “Be prepared to give generously of your time and talents, and your life will be so greatly enriched.”

Lorraine Pickering (1961) Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Brisbane (awarded 2021)

Lorraine Pickering has been involved in her local community for most of her life. Her earliest memory of helping others was when she was in primary school and a neighbouring house burned down. The family had three daughters who all played netball and after the fire they didn’t have a ball to practise with. Lorraine decided to take a collection at school to buy them a new netball. When her mother went into town to Bill Brown’s sports store, they donated the ball and Lorraine and her family were able to give the money raised to their neighbours.

While being recognised in the 2021 Australia Day Honours list was a highlight, Lorraine says the most rewarding part of serving the community is the people she has met along the way. When Lorraine was 17, she volunteered in the Blue Nurses’ (now Blue Care) first door knock appeal. She managed to collect the most money in that appeal and was given a painting as a prize. The painting’s artist was William Preston, father of Reverend Arthur Preston, the founder of the Blue Nurses. “I still have that painting to this day. It’s 60 years old and a wonderful reminder of what I did,” said Lorraine.

Over the years, Lorraine has volunteered at Indooroopilly State School, Brisbane State High School, St Andrews Anglican Church at Indooroopilly, the Probus Club of Mt Coot-tha and Kenmore and at the Rotary Club of Mt Coot-tha and Toowong. Lorraine has also been involved in SERVAS International, hosting many travellers over the years from European backpackers to an elderly couple from Romania.

What is particularly special about Lorraine’s Medal of the Order of Australia is that she received this recognition at the same time as her husband, Howard (both pictured above), who has also dedicated much of his life to serving the Brisbane community.

“It was very humbling in a way, because you don’t volunteer to do things for praise and recognition, but because they need to be done,” said Lorraine.

“I believe there are a lot of people out there who deserve to be recognised as we were, but it takes someone to pick up their pen and nominate you.”

Ariarne Titmus (2018) Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

Swimming superstar, Ariarne ‘The Terminator’ Titmus, has had a very successful few years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. With her Olympic debut in 2021 and recent world record breaking win in the 400m Freestyle at the Australian Swimming Championships finals, Ariarne says that the recognition she receives out of the pool is equally as special.

“I always dreamt of winning Olympic gold, but this recognition [receiving an OAM] is not something I ever thought I would obtain for my swimming achievements. It’s different being recognised by your society and not just your sport for representing our country.”

Having been selected to represent Australia for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July/August later this year, Ariarne is working hard to topple more records and has sound advice for those hoping to follow in her footsteps.

“Work hard and listen to your instincts. I came from a regional town in Tasmania—many thought I couldn’t make it on the big stage. I always stuck to my guns and believed in myself. I hope young swimmers can do the same. It’s also important to enjoy the ride!!”

With such passion for swimming and undisguised determination, it doesn’t take much for Ariarne to stay motivated.

“I set big personal goals that I want to achieve. But, I also just love swimming and working alongside my coach, Dean [Boxall]. My love for the sport is the reason I get out of bed every morning to go training.”