2011 Queensland Greats recipients
The Queensland Greats honoured in 2011 were:
- Dr Betty Byrne Henderson AM
- Dr George Chapman AO
- Graham Jackson OAM
- Wally Lewis AM
- Kerry O'Brien
- Queensland State Emergency Service
Dr Betty Byrne Henderson AM
Queensland businesswoman, Betty Byrne Henderson is a highly esteemed member of Queensland's community who is dedicated to its service, particularly in the fields of women's health and business. Dr Henderson's business interests span a period of 40 years, with the first 26 of these as owner and governing director of The Byrne Group of Companies—the family owned Ford dealership at Chermside and Kedron. Since 1995, Dr Henderson has pursued her business, community, volunteer and philanthropic interests, while simultaneously directing her property and investment companies. Beneficiaries of her generosity include the Queensland State Library Foundation, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation, The University of Queensland, Griffith University, QUT and Queensland Paralympics.
Dr George Chapman AO
George Chapman has made a significant contribution to the community and is well respected in the business world, as demonstrated by his appointments as chairman of Telecasters North Queensland, Ten Network Holdings, TAB Queensland (later Unitab Limited) and the Cairns Port Authority. Dr Chapman is chairman of the Chapman Group, including Skyrail Pty Ltd which built, owns and operates the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. He was a substantial founding shareholder in the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and was a founder of the Cairns Regional Development Bureau (now Tourism Tropical North Queensland). He has also held positions on the Board of Trustees of Cancer Council Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the FNQ Youth Assistance Fund.
Graham Jackson OAM
As the founder of Loloma Jewellers and former Townsville Enterprise Limited chairman, Graham Jackson is known for having one of the best business brains in the country. In 1979 he was appointed director of the Queensland Small Business Development Corporation and was deputy chairman from 1988 to 1993. During his more than 50 years in Townsville, Mr Jackson has been closely involved in a wide range of community development work holding senior volunteer positions with Townsville Chamber of Commerce, Townsville Rotary Club, Red Shield Appeal, Rotary Traffic Training Centre and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Mr Jackson gives generously to community causes, is a great relationship builder and a person who shares his positive attitude and generous spirit for the benefit of all around him.
Wally Lewis AM
Former rugby league footballer and coach, Wally Lewis is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time. Mr Lewis is perhaps best known for his State of Origin performances, spearheading Queensland's dominance in the competition throughout the 1980s. Nicknamed 'The King' and 'The Emperor of Lang Park', Mr Lewis represented Queensland in 31 State of Origin games between 1980 and 1991 and was captain for 30 of these games. Since retiring from the game, Mr Lewis has pursued a career as a newsreader and commentator. He is also a patron of the Hear and Say Centre and ambassador for Epilepsy Queensland. The name Wally Lewis is synonymous with State of Origin and rugby league in Queensland and he continues to be an inspiration to the next generation of footballers.
Kerry O'Brien
Kerry O'Brien is one of Australia's most distinguished and respected journalists with 6 Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism, including the Gold Walkley. Mr O'Brien was editor, compere and interviewer for the ABC's 7.30 Report for 15 years, following 6 years as compere and interviewer for the Lateline program. He is currently presenter and interviewer for the ABC's flagship investigative program, Four Corners. Kerry began his career in Brisbane's Channel Nine newsroom in 1965, and returned to Queensland for the ground-breaking ABC TV current affairs program This Day Tonight in 1972. He has an honorary doctorate in Creative Industries from QUT.
Queensland State Emergency Service
The Queensland State Emergency Service (SES), established in 1975 by State Government, evolved from the former Queensland Civil Defence Organisation. This followed the organisation's response to the 1974 Brisbane floods. Today there are approximately 6800 active SES members within 342 groups throughout Queensland, with volunteers involved in a wide range of disaster and emergency-related operations. In November 2010 the SES reached a significant milestone when it received the 100,000th call to its phone hotline. In December 2010 and January 2011, SES volunteers across the state responded to calls for assistance for the widespread flooding across Queensland. Less than a month later as volunteers were returning home, Cyclone Yasi struck in north Queensland and once again, SES groups across the state mobilised to assist with the clean-up. This devastating run of events highlighted the staggering volume and immeasurable value of work the SES undertakes to assist Queenslanders.
