Albany's Raymond George, Mt Barker's Ken Clements and Woodanilling's Russel Thomson in Kings Birthday Honours
Albany marine biologist and golf club patron Raymond George, Shire of Plantagenet deputy president Ken Clements and Woodanilling local government veteran Russel Thomson all received Medals of the Order of Australia on Monday.
A mainstay of the Mt Barker community for more than 40 years, Cr Clements served as the Shire of Plantagenet president from 2009 to 2017, a councillor since 1990 and is currently deputy president.
He has worked with numerous committees across planning, emergency management and community development as well as having extensive involvement with the WA Local Government Association, where he was a State councillor and life member.
As well as local government roles, Cr Clements has been a pillar of the local sporting, historical and tourism industries.
Fellow councillor Russel Thomson was also lauded for his commitment to his community, having served on the Shire of Woodanilling council for 43 years, occupying the role of president for 26 of them.
Now deputy president, Cr Thomson is also a passionate advocate for land conservation and resource management, founding the Land Conservation Development Committee, the Blackwood Basin Group and Wagin Woodanilling Landcare Zone and winning several State awards for his efforts.
Cr Thomson is also a stalwart of the Katanning Rotary Club and has been a volunteer firefighter since 1973.
Marine biologist, local historian and former WA sportsman Raymond George was honoured for his contributions to science and to the Albany golfing community.
The carcinologist worked at the WA Museum as curator of invertebrates from 1953 to 1982, during which time he identified the western rock lobster, naming it 'Panulirus cygnus George'.
Dr George is celebrated for his decades-long involvement with the Albany Golf Club, where he authored its history, chaired the heritage committee, and was named a life member in 2023.
Beyond his scientific and historical, Dr George represented the State in hockey and water polo in his youth.
Governor General Sam Mostyn praised all 830 recipients of the King's Birthday Honours, now in its 50th year.
'Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy, and resolve,' she said.
'These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country.
'To all who are being recognised in The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude for all that you have given to Australia — and I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.'
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In 2002 he was awarded the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal. After retiring, Mr Gorton still felt a strong calling to help the community and volunteered in a number of roles including as an official hospital visitor to mental health patients with NSW Health. He also served as a juvenile justice conference convenor with the NSW Department of Communities and Juvenile Justice. "I've always had an interest in mental health and there was an opportunity there to work as an advocate for patients in various mental health institutions, both adult and adolescents in the Hunter Valley area," he said. A former Cessnock Goannas Rugby League Football Club president, Mr Gorton is still very much a Goanna at heart despite moving to Maitland a few years ago, and is a director on the board of Cessnock Leagues Club. 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"You just poke along and do what you're doing and you don't look for accolades, but when you do get an accolade like this you say 'wow, I might have done a bit'." Whether stationed in Maitland, Cessnock, Lithgow, Scone or Maclean, Mr Gorton has always become involved with local clubs like Apex, and organised many community projects like skate parks and blue light discos, and coached sporting teams. "You got respect that was the main thing, two-way respect. The community respected you and vice versa," he said. "People knew who you were, you weren't just the copper down the road, they knew who you were and your values." In 2002 he was awarded the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal. After retiring, Mr Gorton still felt a strong calling to help the community and volunteered in a number of roles including as an official hospital visitor to mental health patients with NSW Health. He also served as a juvenile justice conference convenor with the NSW Department of Communities and Juvenile Justice. "I've always had an interest in mental health and there was an opportunity there to work as an advocate for patients in various mental health institutions, both adult and adolescents in the Hunter Valley area," he said. A former Cessnock Goannas Rugby League Football Club president, Mr Gorton is still very much a Goanna at heart despite moving to Maitland a few years ago, and is a director on the board of Cessnock Leagues Club. "Rugby league has always been an interest of mine, and also what I found too from my point of view as a policeman when you go to a particular community, you've got to get involved with that community," he said. From his career as a police officer to his commitment to volunteering, Gordon Gorton has dedicated his life to serving the community. Now, his service has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for service to the community through a range of service organisations. The Rutherford resident was a police officer for 35 years who was stationed across the Hunter and at Lithgow, and retired ranked chief inspector at Maitland Police Station. Mr Gorton said the honour is a very appreciated shock. "To me it means that some of the work I've done with the community over the years has been recognised," he said. "You just poke along and do what you're doing and you don't look for accolades, but when you do get an accolade like this you say 'wow, I might have done a bit'." Whether stationed in Maitland, Cessnock, Lithgow, Scone or Maclean, Mr Gorton has always become involved with local clubs like Apex, and organised many community projects like skate parks and blue light discos, and coached sporting teams. "You got respect that was the main thing, two-way respect. The community respected you and vice versa," he said. "People knew who you were, you weren't just the copper down the road, they knew who you were and your values." In 2002 he was awarded the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal. After retiring, Mr Gorton still felt a strong calling to help the community and volunteered in a number of roles including as an official hospital visitor to mental health patients with NSW Health. He also served as a juvenile justice conference convenor with the NSW Department of Communities and Juvenile Justice. "I've always had an interest in mental health and there was an opportunity there to work as an advocate for patients in various mental health institutions, both adult and adolescents in the Hunter Valley area," he said. A former Cessnock Goannas Rugby League Football Club president, Mr Gorton is still very much a Goanna at heart despite moving to Maitland a few years ago, and is a director on the board of Cessnock Leagues Club. "Rugby league has always been an interest of mine, and also what I found too from my point of view as a policeman when you go to a particular community, you've got to get involved with that community," he said.
