2012 Queensland Greats recipients

The Queensland Greats honoured in 2012 were:

• Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO
• Deborah Mailman
• Daphne Pirie AO MBE
• Sir Sydney Schubert
• Terry White AO
• Queensland Meals On Wheels

Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO

Emeritus Professor Ken Donald has had a lengthy and illustrious career of over 40 years in medical practice, health policy and medical education. His academic contributions consisting of more than 90 published journal articles and textbooks, demonstrate his ongoing commitment to the development of research and education across a number of fields including pathology, social and preventive medicine and veterans health. Professor Donald’s work with AIDS control and Veteran's health will long stand as his greatest achievements.  He also represented Australia in rugby union from 1957 to 1960 and went on to manage the Australian Wallabies from 1979 to 1981. Professor Donald’s loyalty and commitment to the health of Queenslanders is unrivalled and this work continues today, beyond his official retirement.

Deborah Mailman

One of Australia’s most celebrated actors, Deborah Mailman grew up in Mount Isa, Queensland.  A proud Bidjara woman, Deborah’s outstanding performances in film , television and theatre have been acknowledged by numerous awards across stage and screen. Deborah is a role model to many young Indigenous people, dedicating her time to Indigenous literacy awareness projects, most notably through The 7 Stages of Grieving, a play which has been workshopped and performed for over 15 years with school students across Australia. Deborah also helped establish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program of Contact Youth Theatre and the Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts which is dedicated to developing and producing contemporary performances both locally and internationally on the stories of Indigenous Australians. Deborah is proud of her many years of training and working in Queensland and credits this for many of her successes.

Daphne Pirie AO MBE

Daphne Pirie is an inspirational sportswoman and administrator who has worked tirelessly for over 60 years to promote and further the cause of women in sport.  Considered one of Australia’s most successful female athletes, Daphne’s career spanned some 40 years, where she achieved success in track and field, hockey and golf.  Daphne has devoted her life to promoting women in sport and, as the founding President of Womensport Queensland, had the clear vision of encouraging female athletes and communicating the outstanding achievements of Queensland sportswomen.

Sir Sydney Schubert

Sir Sydney Schubert is one of Queensland’s most distinguished public servants whose energy and direction was instrumental in shaping Queensland’s strong economic development during the 1970s and 1980s.  Sir Sydney’s contributions are widely acknowledged for transforming the Queensland economy.  His passion for Queensland has also been displayed through his contribution to higher education, business, the arts and the environment. Sir Sydney was awarded a knighthood in 1985 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Queensland public service.  In 2006 he also received an Honorary Doctorate from James Cook University for his outstanding contribution to the management of Northern Queensland’s environmental assets.

Terry White AO

From humble beginnings Terry White has served as a Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party before successfully developing his Queensland based company, Terry White Chemists.  This national franchise and brand totals 162 pharmacies across the country with 65 in Queensland where the head office has always been located.  As a former president of the Pharmacy Guild, Terry was heavily involved in developing services to up-skill pharmacists as small business people.  He continues his role as Chairman of the Terry White Chemists Group, Deputy Chairman of Workcover Queensland and recently announced as Chairman of the Metro South Hospital Board.

Queensland Meals On Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides an invaluable service to the Queensland community. With 15,000 volunteers providing meals to approximately 10,000 clients daily it is represented by the largest volunteer workforce of any voluntary organisation in the state.  This service provides an important social and community link to clients who live in isolation and are unable to prepare meals for themselves.  The organisation also helps reduce the need for premature admission to hostels or nursing homes.  Providing 2.3 million meals each year, Meals on Wheels is a remarkable service with an incredible team of volunteers who work to meet the needs of the community on a daily basis.