Headmaster receives OAM

Dr Stuart John Quarmby, founding headmaster of Wollondilly Anglican School, has been awarded an Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to primary and secondary education.

Dr Quarmby was the headmaster at Wollondilly Anglican  from 2004-2020 and held other position in his career, including Deputy Headmaster, Director of Pastoral Care, and Head of Science, Broughton Anglican College, 1991-2003 and high school teacher with the New South Wales Department of Education, 1981-1990.

In 2021 he received the Wollondilly Australia Day Local Hero Award, 2021.

OAM for giving industry bodies a voice

Jennifer Lambert gives a voice to industry groups and it’s her service to business that has seen her awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Ms Lambert who lives at Werombi is “honoured and chuffed” to have received the recognition.

She said there are a lot of people who do similar work to herself, but she felt privileged to have been nominated.

“It came as a complete surprise to me; it’s nice that a range of people have taken that effort.

“I have worked with not-for-profit industry bodies for 40 years.”

She finds policy and advocacy interesting work.

Up until 2022 she represented Australia’s peak industry group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“I was the policy director and twice acting CEO of that organisation.”

Ms Lambert’s different roles has seen her deal with a myriad of industries and issues - employment, skills, education and migration policies and even energy and climate change policies.

Her foray into business after finishing her degree saw her working for an insurance company as a share analysist.

“A role came up with the Hotel Association four decades ago dealing with industrial awards and I was keen; I stayed in industry associations.”

Ms Lambert said while many graduates don’t think of industry associations as a career, she said it can be a very satisfying path.

She gives a voice to businesses in an industry for whatever reason. She said businesspeople usually don’t have the time, information or avenue to develop and formulate policies with major stakeholders from state to federal levels – it’s people like her who advocate and lobby.

“People can use their industry organisation to vent frustrations or their issues - even the success of a particular policy.

“We truly a pluralist society and it is about lots of different voices that give you the right balance” Ms Lambert said.

The mother of two daughters has lived in Werombi for 21 years and enjoys coming home to the tranquillity of rural living.

Ms Lambert has held several positions:

Director, Economics, Employment and Skills, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2011-2022.

Chief Executive Officer, National Tourism Alliance, 2007-2010.

Chief Executive, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, 2005-2007.

Chief Executive Officer, Meetings and Events Australia, 1999-2005.

Chief Executive Officer, Restaurant and Catering Industry Association New South Wales, 1994-1999.

Botanic garden chief scientist awarded AM

Professor Brett Summerell’s love of plants stems from his childhood and his passion to study and protect Australia’s unique flora has seen him become a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Prof Summerell was acknowledged for his service to the environment through plant pathology and mycology. His interest is in fungi and helping to protect other plant life from diseases and to “survive better”.

He has been performing this vital scientific research for 35 years at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, describing more than 120 new species of fungi and publishing over 150 journal articles, books and book chapters.  

For the past two decades the Douglas Park residents has also led more than 100 scientists, students, volunteers and support staff while helping to establish vital scientific facilities such as PlantClinic, the Australian PlantBank and the National Herbarium of New South Wales. 

 Prof Summerell was grateful to see the important work his team does to protect and promote plants acknowledged on the national stage. 

 “This honour is not just a recognition of my work, but of all the people I work with to protect Australia’s unique plant life from extinction,” he said. 

 “I hope this recognition will inspire more people to discover the power of plants and the inherent value they provide to our everyday lives. 

 "Plants sometimes get neglected in the scheme of the environment, but if we are going to combat the issues of climate change and biodiversity loss, we have to start with saving plants first.” 

 A self-proclaimed “plant person”, Professor Summerell has been fascinated by fungi and plants his entire life.  

The professor’s life has been more than laboratory he has had the opportunity to visit “some amazing places”.

“I have been in the secret gorge where the Wollemi Pine live…that was an amazing experiencing being able to abseil down [a few times].”

He has travelled far and wide to tropical rainforest and deserts in Australia and has never disappointed by the unique flora.

His passion and enthusiasm for the natural world is why he chose to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Sydney in 1985 where he also won the University Medal as the top ranked student in that year. 

Prof Summerell, husband and father of two, will be spending the day visiting his mother, Patricia, whose birthday is on Australia Day –  it will be a double celebration – one to mark 88 years and the other to mark years of dedication and commitment.