Venkat Raman
Women dominate the Queen’s Birthday Honours List released on June 4, 2018.
Among them are three Dames, many Companions, Officers, Members and Honorary Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM, ONZM and MNZM). Women are also highly represented in the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) and Queen’s Service Medal (QSO).
The Indian community has a sole recipient of Queen’s Birthday Honour. A separate report about Mavis Lata Singh appears in this Section.
The Tally
The Queen’s Birthday Honours comprises five Dames, three Knights, eight Companions, 37 Officers, 61 Members and three Honorary Members. It also features three persons to receive the Queen’s Service Order and 68 person to received Queen’s Service Medal and one Honorary QSM. One person each has been selected for the award of New Zealand Bravery Decoration (Michael Scott Riley) and the New Zealand Bravery Medal (Police Officer S).
There were no awardees to the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour since it is restricted to 20 living Members.
Dames Companions
Catherine Alice Healy, Luamanuvao Winifred Alexandra Laban (both from Lower Hutt), Emeritus Professor Charmian Jocelyn O’Connor of Auckland, Julie Bethridge (Jools) and Lynda Bethridge Topp were appointed as Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Knights Companions
The Queen has appointed three distinguished New Zealanders as Knights of the Order of New Zealand. They are Master Waka builder and Carver Hekenukumai Puhipi Busby, former Prime Minister Bill English and internationally renowned singer John Edward Rowles.
Member of the Order
If you have attended the Sixth and Ninth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards both held at SkyCity Convention Centre respectively in 2013 and 2016, you would have applauded the superb way in which Jackie Clarke, our Master of Ceremonies conducted the proceedings.
If you have not been with us, you should try to do so at the Eleventh Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards to be held on Monday, November 26, 2018 at the same venue.
Jackie Clarke will return as our Master of Ceremonies to entertain you.
Right now, she deserves a round of applause from all of us.
For, Jacqueline Emma Clarke has been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her services to the entertainment industry.
There were 35 other New Zealanders who were honoured for their outstanding contributions to arts and culture.
Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Ardern said, “Arts and culture is an area close to my heart and I am delighted to see these awards recognise the talent and commitment of the many people who have made a huge difference in the lives of New Zealanders.”
“This list acknowledges a wide range of New Zealanders from all over the country: people who selflessly serve their communities, and people who have achieved something special. Today’s recipients have all contributed to enriching our lives in one way or another.”
Additional Reading: ‘Mavis Singh, the lonely Indian on the Honours List’ and ‘To Bill English. we say, that was Right and Honourable Sir!’ under Viewlink.
Photo Caption:
Clockwise from top: Jools Lynda Bethridge Topp, John Edward Rowles, Bill English and Catherine Alice Healy (Picture from Government House Website)
