Australia Day honours: Olympian Shane Gould's award recognises 'other life'
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Olympic swimmer Shane Gould says an Australia Day award will help break the stereotype created by her gold medal history.
Gould is among the top Tasmanian recipients in this year's Australia Day honours list.
The former champion, who lives in Bicheno on the state's east coast, has been made a member of the general division of the Order of Australia.
She has been honoured for her significant service to swimming at the elite level.
A gold medallist at the Munich Olympic Games, Gould has worked on water safety programs in developing countries.
"Having swum 40 years ago at the Olympics, I'm passionate about swimming," Gould said.
"I'm really eager to learn more about it and so my Australia Day award I think recognises my recent work."
"I'm concerned about people drowning.
"I'm concerned about people having a good go in the water so I've been recognised for that so it kind of feels pretty good.
"It's just really nice because, like a lot of people who volunteer in the community and who do good work day after day, it's nice to be recognised.
She said she had mixed feeling when she looks back on her swimming career.
"Sometimes I get really annoyed because it just takes over my life and it stereotypes me, but this sort of award recognises that I do other things," she said.
"I've got other skills that I can design drowning prevention programs, that I can be creative.
"It sort of broadens me out as a more whole person and do I think that's significant because you just can't rest on your laurels.
"Its nice to be able to be recognised more than just a stereotyped Olympian."
Top award to Tasmanian professor
The top award in the state has gone to a Launceston professor who has Huntington's disease.
Dr Neville King has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to medicine and medical education.
Dr King held distinguished positions at Monash University, where he researched, taught and published in the field of children's fears and phobias.
His books and articles are still used by students and psychologists for the application of behavioural psychology in the field of education for health science students and professionals.
Also awarded as an Officer of the Order of Australia was Chief Justice Alan Blow.
Justice Blow was recognised for his distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law.
He has been Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania since 2013 and serves in many voluntary capacities, in legal education and professional standards.
Familiar policeman honoured
Glen Woolley is a familiar face to many Tasmanians.
The retired police inspector was often a calming voice on the TV news explaining crime scenes or car crashes.
"It's quite a confronting scene when you arrive and you've got all that chaos going on," Mr Woolley said.
"It's a matter of just trying to settle that chaos down to be able to deal with a situation and deal with it very quickly."
But it was Mr Woolley's volunteer work that's earned him a Medal of the Order of Australia
Including his role as aide-de-camp to the Governor since 2005.
"It's recognition not only for me but for my family, my children, my grandchildren," he said.
"To be able to show them what you can do by doing good things for other people."
Cancer survivor recognised
Launceston woman Mandy Forteath has been honoured for services to breast cancer support.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, Ms Forteath helped form a support group in Launceston for others going through the experience.
"It's amazing and incredible. I didn't expect anything like this," Ms Forteath said.
"I just bumbled through life trying to assist others who have been through the same journey as myself."
Merle Wells has been honoured for more than 35 years of service to social welfare organisations in the state.
"What else would I have done with my time anyway? People who sit at home and say that they are bored have not got much imagination," Ms Wells said.
"There's so much to be done in a community."
Daniel Chan received his Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Chinese community of Tasmania.
"Serve the community and then develop in harmony, that is always what is in my mind to do," Mr Chan said.
"So hopefully all our Chinese people can settle down peaceful in Tasmania."
