2007 Queensland Greats recipients

The Queensland Greats honoured in 2007 were:

• Ashley Cooper AO
• The Honourable Leneen Forde AC
• Doug Hall AM
• Emeritus Professor John Hay AC
• Sir Leo Hielscher AC.
• Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ)

Ashley Cooper AO
Australian tennis legend

The late Ashley Cooper AO was an Australian tennis legend who won eight Grand Slam titles over his professional career. Ashley also made a significant contribution to the development of tennis in Queensland by providing support and mentorship to help guide youths through their tennis careers. A celebrated singles and doubles player, Ashley was inducted into the Member Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1987, Member International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991 and Member Tennis Australia Hall of Fame in 1996.

The Honourable Leneen Forde AC
Queensland’s first female Governor

The Honourable Leneen Forde AC was Queensland’s first female governor. She played a leading role in advancing the social and economic welfare of Queenslanders and contributed to enhancing the status and interests of women. In addition to her work as a community leader, Leneen has served on numerous boards including Scouts Australia, Queensland Ballet, National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, Alzheimer’s Association of Australia, Foundation for Survivors of Domestic Violence and the Queensland Supreme Court Probate Rules Review Committee.

Doug Hall AM
Art gallery director

Doug Hall AM is a renowned art gallery director who expanded Queensland Art Gallery’s (QAG) international focus and developed a strong engagement with Asia, especially through the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. Doug conceived the idea for the Gallery of Modern Art and oversaw its development and opening in December 2006. Doug was director of QAG from 1987 until April 2007. Prior to this, he had been director of two regional galleries in Victoria and served on a range of state and federal cultural organisations.

Emeritus Professor John Hay AC
University leader

The late Emeritus Professor John Hay AC was a university leader who made a number of exceptional contributions to Queensland including the development of a series of major research institutes and centres. John was a fellow of many academic institutions, was awarded honorary doctorates and chaired national and international boards on university learning and teaching, research, libraries, art galleries, philanthropy, performing arts, humanities, bio-sciences and medical research. He published widely in English and Australian literature, comparative literature and education.

Sir Leo Hielscher AC
Applied economist

Sir Leo Hielscher AC is an applied economist who has been recognised as one of the key figures responsible for transforming Queensland’s economy over the past 40 years. Leo has more than 50 years’ experience in the areas of government, banking and finance, domestic and global financial markets, and superannuation and as an independent company director. Leo has held a number of distinguished positions, with considerable experience at board level in both public and private sectors. He has also been honoured with a Knight Bachelor, a Companion in the Order of Australia, an Eisenhower Fellowship and an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ)

SLSQ is Queensland’s peak beach safety and rescue authority and one of the largest volunteer-based community service organisations in Australia. SLSQ was formed in 1930 and includes more than 59 affiliated clubs with more than 30,000 members. SLSQ also includes 42 supporters clubs with more than 200,000 members and is affiliated with Surf Life Saving Australia and the International Life Saving Federation. SLSQ’s mission is to provide excellent beach safety and lifesaving services, water safety advocacy, education and sport. Queensland’s surf lifesavers have saved more than 120,000 lives (since recording began in 1930) and each summer saves more than 4000 lives.