The recipients with Deputy Mayor, Cr Tasa Damante.
Four residents awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia
Four Maroondah residents were awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List.
Residents Mr Donald Mackay, Dr Keith Skilbeck and Ms Melinda Spencer were recognised for their contributions to their local community.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane, was also among the recipients, in acknowledgement of his service to local government and Maroondah.
Mr Donald Mackay
Mr Donald Mackay was recognised for his long-standing service to the arts sector, which acknowledges his professional career spanning over 70 years across various aspects of theatre, drama and radio.
His extensive knowledge of the arts industry has seen Mr Mackay obtain various titles and appointments to a wide range of committees.
These include roles as Vice-Chairman and Executive Director of the Arts Council Australia, a Trustee of the Australian Theatre Children’s Foundation, a Board Member of the National Theatre and Next Wave Festival, a member and drama panellist for Arts Victoria, and Producer of ABC Radio Drama, Christian TV Association and AWA Radio Program Services, alongside many others.
Dr Keith Skilbeck
Dr Keith Skilbeck was recognised for his consistent service to the communities of Croydon and Mooroolbark. Dr Skilbeck served as a General Practice provider for more than 40 years, tending to local patients at the Wicklow Avenue Medical Centre in Croydon as well as being a Practice Principal and Business Partner.
In 2017, Dr Skilbeck was inducted as a Life Member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners after being a Member since 1981 and a Fellow since 1983.
Dr Skilbeck was also acknowledged as a dedicated supporter of Elisha Care, a community support agency and social enterprise, and for his work as Resident Doctor at the Ba Methodist Hospital in Fiji in 1982.
Ms Melinda Spencer
Ms Melinda Spencer was recognised for her service to community health including working as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Different Journeys, where she advocated for and empowered people with autism.
Ms Spencer has also been recognised for her role in co-founding and coordinating the Pathways for Carers Program in partnership with Maroondah City Council, providing carers with event opportunities and education on the support available.
Ms Spencer’s advocacy work was also recognised, having participated as a Joint Presenter at the National Local Government Councillors Mental Health Conference in 2019, as a former speaker at the International Carers Conference in Adelaide and the Asia Pacific Autism Conference in Sydney, and as a member on a range of local and state-based advisory committees.
Cr Rob Steane
Cr Rob Steane was recognised for his service to local government and to the community of Maroondah. Cr Steane has served as a Councillor since 2008, representing the Wyreena and Yarrunga Wards, as Mayor in 2011 and 2018, and as Deputy Mayor in 2021. Cr Steane is also Maroondah’s current Mayor.
Cr Steane has represented Council in the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Australian Local Government Association. Cr Steane has also served Maroondah as Founder of the Maroondah Community Safety Committee, in roles on the National Local Government Safe Cities Network, and on several Council advisory committees and the Eastern Regional Group of Councils.
Cr Steane was also acknowledged for representing Maroondah citizens on local committees. These include being a Board member of East Ringwood and Heathmont Bank, The Maroondah Foundation, and School Councils for Melba College and Croydon Hills Primary School.
Council is proud to have recognised these four residents for their service to the Maroondah community.