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.

Funding for Picton Road

A designated $1,388 million has been allocated in the NSW Budget for Picton bypass planning – but as yet no final figure or timeline as to when the road will be built.

The funding has been welcomed by Wollondilly Independent MP, Judith Hannan who has been lobbying for the bypass since she was mayor of Wollondilly and now as a parliamentarian – it was an election commitment.

Mrs Hannan welcomed the designated funding which is a step in the right direction towards getting the road shovel ready.

Speaking from Parliament House, she said the announcement is a win for the residents of Picton and Wollondilly as a whole.

“The Picton bypass is more than a political football for the residents of Picton, who have seen government after government fail to follow through on promises that this essential piece of infrastructure be built.

“The inclusion of $1.388 million that has been allocated for Picton Bypass planning is a small step and I look forward to the full costings and timeframe for the finalised option now being worked on by the government,” Mrs Hannan said.

She said the inclusion of the planning of the bypass “means that it won’t be renounced in future years”.

“I thank the Minister for Roads John Graham, Minister for Transport Jo Haylen, Minister for Regional Roads Jenny Aitchinson and Premier Chris Minns for recognising that this project needs to start now – if not yesterday.”

Community recovery hub co-founder OAM

Kim Hill, OAM, a seventh generation Wollondilly resident, was acknowledged for ‘service to the community through emergency response organisations’.

Mrs Hill has been a member of the Rural Fire Service (RFS) since 2014 and during the 2019/20 bushfires that swept through Wollondilly and Wingecarribee – she was assigned to look after the donation of goods. In 2020 the Community Recovery Hub, Balmoral Village Hall was formed with fellow founder, Picton CWA member Kerrie O’Grady – they worked with a team of volunteers to distribute goods to people who had to evacuate or whose homes were destroyed during the fires.

Mrs Hill is both shocked and humbled about the award and acknowledged it was a combined effort.

“I could not have done this without Kerrie,” she said.

“I am so shocked to be nominated for such a prestigious award as there are so many people out there who do so much to support others, I just wish everyone who enjoys putting others before themselves, as I do could receive the same recognition and I thank whomever nominated me for taking the time out of their day to do so,” Mrs Hill said.

“I would also like everyone to know and understand that recovery takes time, and everyone’s recovery journey is different and that journey needs to be respected by all.

“Both Kerrie and I are extremely grateful for the help of many volunteers who helped over many months to support various communities.”

Mrs Hill has also received the National Emergency Medal, 2021.

She has also been recognised as the South Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year;

New South Wales Volunteer of the Year, 2020;

Community Service Award, 2020; Wollondilly Citizen of the Year, 2021, and;

Wollondilly Local Woman of the Year, 2021.

Mrs Hill also is the co-ordinator of the Buxton Memorial Playground.