Members of the Queensland agriculture sector were among the over 730 people honoured in this year’s Australia Day national awards.
Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn handed down the list of this year’s Australia Day honours awardees ahead of the national holiday on 26 January, with a total of 732 people receiving Order of Australia medals, meritorious awards and military distinctions.
A pair of Queenslanders whose work in the agriculture sector has benefitted the state over the years were included on the list.
The late Neil Donaldson received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the livestock industry.
Mr Donaldson, a former livestock agent and buyer in southern and western Queensland, was the chief executive officer of the Droughtmaster Stud Breeders’ Society, which later became Droughtmaster Australia, between 1997 and 2019.
His work took him across the south-western side of the state, including the North and South Burnett, Banana, Toowoomba, Western Downs and Quilpie regions.
He also served at one point as the vice president of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders’ Association.
In 2021, Mr Donaldson became a life member of the Droughtmaster Society and, following his passing in 2022 aged 66, the organisation launched the Neil Donaldson Memorial Award in his honour.
Founder of relief charity Drought Angels, Natasha Johnston from Miles, also received an OAM.
Ms Johnston started Drought Angels – now Farm Angels – in 2014 and has been the charity’s executive director ever since.
For her work delivering care packages and financial assistance to thousands of drought-stricken farming families across Australia, the former accountant was named ’Queensland’s Local Hero’ in the 2021 Australian of the Year awards.
