2008 Queensland Greats recipients

The Queensland Greats honoured in 2008 were:

• Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland section)
• Ian Brusasco AM
• Pearl Duncan
• Matthew Hayden AM
• Professor Ross Homel AO
• Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO.

Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland section)

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is dedicated to providing vital health care to anyone travelling, working or living in Australia. Established in 1928 in Cloncurry by the Reverend John Flynn, today the RFDS across Australia provides care for more than 270,000 Australians each year. That’s two people every minute. In Queensland, the RFDS’s emergency retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has expanded to provide regular transfers of patients to interstate hospitals for life-saving surgery. A broad range of essential health care services are also delivered to rural and remote communities including general practice, Indigenous health, child and family health and women’s GP services.

Ian Brusasco AM

Ian Brusasco has extensive experience as a Chairman and Director across a range of industries. Ian has sat on many boards such as WorkCover Queensland, Gladstone Port Corporation, Foodbank, Port of Brisbane Corporation, Brisbane Strikers, 4TAB, and 4KQ. Ian has also served as an Alderman on the Brisbane City Council for 14 years. Through these positions Ian has contributed significantly to Queensland.

Pearl Duncan

Pearl Duncan has dedicated her life to help increase Aboriginal participation in education. Her outstanding contribution to education, Indigenous issues and academic research over a period of 55 years is unparalleled. Pearl has made acclaimed contributions to research in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, and has represented her community at the highest government levels.

Matthew Hayden AM

Celebrated as one of the greatest players of all time, cricketer Matthew Hayden has shown persistence, determination and dedication throughout his career both on and off the field. Matthew has not only made a name for himself as a champion of the sport nationally and internationally, he has also shown remarkable community spirit through his very public fundraising efforts for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and his visitations to children’s hospitals.

Professor Ross Homel AO

Professor Ross Homel was the Foundation Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University in Brisbane, and Director of the Griffith Institute for Social and Behavioural Research. His research and community leadership has made a significant contribution to Queensland’s reputation for research excellence, the development of social policy and justice reform, and the lives of families in Queensland’s disadvantaged communities.

Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO

The late Dr Fletcher James played a vital role in promoting and enhancing the image of Aboriginal culture through art and education. Dr Fletcher James exhibited her ceramic artworks nationally and abroad, receiving great praise. She established educational facilities and programs for children and will be remembered as an inspiration for Indigenous people.