kings birthday honours

outstanding individuals

Australian King's Birthday Honours List - Recognition of Individuals

@JudyEv (340653)

Rockingham, Australia

June 10, 2024 8:55pm CST

Every year, in the King’s Birthday Honours list, Australia recognises a number of individuals who have given remarkable service to the community. It is one of the highest acknowledgments of community service that an Australian can receive. Recipients come from all walks of life and from all areas of achievement. There are various levels of award. A Medal of the Order of Australia was awarded to Donna Rousham of Darwin for her work with children with disabilities. This was given in recognition of her work with children with disabilities. Donna started the Starfish Swim Group in 2007 to cater for children with special needs. Donna’s daughter has Downs Syndrome, and although there were pools and water everywhere, children with disabilities didn’t fit into mainstream programmes. In 2021, Donna’s daughter broke a 200-metre freestyle world record by six seconds, without even realising it. I don’t know what record it was. Maybe it was a paralympics-type record. Whatever, it’s still a remarkable achievement. Photo is mine taken at a swim meet that we covered once.

21 people like this

17 responses

@rebelann (112909)

• El Paso, Texas

11 Jun

I like your photos. I imagine Donna and her daughter are both very proud of that achievement.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

Some people do some great work behind the scenes and often don't get much acknowledgement.

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@rebelann (112909)

• El Paso, Texas

11 Jun

It all depends on the person writing about that event

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

@rebelann The names have to put forward by individuals or organisations. You can't nominate yourself.

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@Deepizzaguy (103374)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

11 Jun

Congratulations to Donna Rousman for being rewarded for her work with children who are disabled.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

She certainly deserves her award.

2 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (103374)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

11 Jun

@JudyEv I am in agreement with you.

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (181221)

• United States

11 Jun

I didn't know Australia ever had a king.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

We're still part of the Commonwealth so Charles is our King for the moment. There are many pushing for us to become a republic.

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@Orson_Kart (6803)

• United Kingdom

11 Jun

I’ve not seen our list, but I’m pretty sure I have been overlooked. Again!

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@Orson_Kart (6803)

• United Kingdom

11 Jun

@JudyEv What about - All round good egg?

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

@Orson_Kart That'll do it! All good all-round eggs should be acknowledged.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

You have to have someone nominate you I think. Send me your details and I'll put your name forward for next year. Don't forget to say why you should be nominated - if you can think of something.

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@FourWalls (68435)

• United States

12 Jun

That’s great that she helps children with disabilities feel “normal” with things as simple as swimming. The honor (sorry, honour

) is very well-deserved!!!

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

Haha - thanks for the acknowledging the spelling. It doesn't really worry me but I'm too stubborn not to use the spelling I grew up with.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Jun

@FourWalls Mostly I try to put both now but I also don't mind having to use the conversion feature if I need to. Mostly I have a fairly good knowledge of what equals what. At least knowledge enough for what I need.

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@grenery8 (10806)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

11 Jun

impressive recognition and photos, as well.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

Thanks. We had a very busy weekend at the swim meet.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Jun

@grenery8 The photo was taken several years ago.

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@grenery8 (10806)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

12 Jun

@JudyEv i thought Vince is resting?

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@allknowing (137061)

• India

12 Jun

Well deserved award.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

I think so too. People like Donna are incredibly important to those they're mentoring.

@LadyDuck (471766)

• Switzerland

11 Jun

I am glad that Donna was honored with a medal, I admire people who spend time taking care of children with disabilities. I imagine you celebrate King's Charles birthday.

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@LadyDuck (471766)

• Switzerland

11 Jun

@JudyEv I remember that also in Monte Carlo we celebrated the Prince Rainier's Birthday in November, when he was born the last day of May.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

Yes, Donna deserves recognition. We have a public holiday for the King's birthday although it's never on his birthday.

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@Tampa_girl7 (50351)

• United States

11 Jun

Donna deserves the acknowledgement.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

She does indeed. There were a number of people who do great work in their communities who received awards.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317115)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

11 Jun

That's great you have the King's Birthday Honors. Donna's daughter is amazing, she deserves the medal, and her mother the award.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317115)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

12 Jun

@JudyEv Yes, they are.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

Both have done incredibly well. They are well deserving of their successes.

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@JESSY3236 (19991)

• United States

11 Jun

That's so cool. I have a cousin with Downs Syndrome. cool pictures.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

People underestimate how much they are capable of.

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@Dena91 (16629)

• United States

11 Jun

How special that Donna was recognized for her work with children with disabilities. Congratulations to her daughter for breaking the record.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

It's lovely that people like Donna have the chance to be recognised.

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@Ronrybs (19463)

• London, England

11 Jun

Sounds like your honour system is working better than over here. Most of the higher awards seem to go to people who are friends of politicians

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

Really? Lots of 'ordinary' and 'extraordinary' people get recognised with these awards. There are several levels. Sports people, pollies and celebrities often get awards too for their 'contribution to whatever' but there always seems to be a genuine reason for the award.

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@Ronrybs (19463)

• London, England

13 Jun

@JudyEv Knighthoods and Lordships go to mates, while people who work hard for charities and the like end up with lesser awards

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Sam The Godfather

@DevMrSamEleazar (14058)

• Philippines

11 Jun

Thank you for sharing that. I just learned something new again about what other countries are.. I wonder what gadget did you use getting this photo?? because its so high definition and not blurry.. Your hands are so steady.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

It's a SLR camera and I have a good lens. I would have zoomed in on the swimmers as much as possible. Thanks for the compliment.

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Sam The Godfather

@DevMrSamEleazar (14058)

• Philippines

12 Jun

@JudyEv oohh I see. but if you zoomed in as much as possible its kinda shakey because swimmers are fast.. and you captured it clearly.. YOU CAN BE A SNIPER

you got some steady hands in ultra magnification.. You're welcome

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@jstory07 (139774)

• Roseburg, Oregon

11 Jun

Those people that get recognized for what they do deserve the award that they get.

@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

That's for sure. Some do quite amazing work.

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@LindaOHio (179874)

• United States

11 Jun

That's a wonderful program and a wonderful accomplishment. Great photos. Have a good day.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

The people are all nominated by friends or relatives. Most would go unrecognised most of the time so these awards are a great idea.

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@Beestring (14593)

• Hong Kong

11 Jun

Donna Rousham of Darwin deserves the Award. I like the photos.

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@JudyEv (340653)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

I'm glad you like the photos. We spend two full days at a swim meet and barely sat down the whole time. We were exhausted at the end of it.

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