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Medal Recipients 2019

Robert (Bob) Creek

Department of Corporate and Information Services

In the early 1970s, a young Bob Creek trekked from Adelaide to Darwin as part of a work gang painting white lines on the Stuart Highway. Bob was instrumental in establishing surf lifesaving in Darwin before joining the NT Administration as a trainee draftsman in 1973—the start of a rich career in the Territory public service.

When computers arrived in the late ‘70s, Bob was drawn down a path that would see him become a driver in the Government's use of technology over many decades. His achievements in IT are the subject of legend - from taking mapping off paper to what we now know as spatial technology, - to implementing major IT systems in power and water, - and for many years managing the government's major computing environment in the Chan data centre. Bob has achieved ‘master’ status in his field and is respected and revered across all levels of government as the statesman of IT.

Dr Ollapallil Jacob

Alice Springs Hospital

Dr Jacob has been the head of surgery at Alice Springs Hospital for over 18 years. During this time, he has significantly developed the surgical department - training many of the current consultants, countless registrars and junior doctors.

His clinical skills are exceptional. He has led and performed a range of incredible surgical feats, such as emergency surgery, including neurosurgery and thoracic surgery to stabilise patients. His achievements include being an examiner in court of the Royal College of Surgeons, receiving the inaugural Indigenous Health Award and as a senior lecturer with Flinders University. Dr Jacob has also influenced changes in public health through introducing new approaches, such as the standardisation of open abdomen procedures in the outback.

Dr Jacob’s colleagues describe how valued he is at Alice Springs Hospital -.with one saying, ‘He is, to most of us, simply the most important person in the hospital.

Joan Angeles

Department of Education

With over 35 years in the education sector, Joan Angeles, or ‘Aunty Joan’ as she is affectionately known, is a much-loved career educator and passionate disability advocate. Starting her career at the Darwin Hospital School, Joan moved to the Henbury School, and then the Nemarluk School, where she has spent the last 33 years as the school’s longest-serving employee.

Joan is a strong advocate for children, especially those with a disability, to have access to the best education. She has been a conduit between the school and Aboriginal families - often making home visits out of hours, arranging appointments and making sure kids attend school.

Officially retiring in May 2019, Joan remains passionate about education and the rights of children, no matter what their culture, ability or location.

Joanne Killmister

Department of Education

Joanne Killmister is a senior teacher at Maningrida College. For over 15 years, she has worked tirelessly to support students and families, and the broader Arnhem community. Joanne (or ‘Killa’ as she’s affectionately known) is passionate about every child in Maningrida having access to high-quality education and healthcare.

She has developed critical, relational trust with community members, is culturally competent and extremely well respected in the Maningrida community. These relationships make her an important conduit between the school, the clinic and the community. Joanne played a pivotal role in the Pedrino research project, which studied the prevalence of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease and is she now leading this project in Maningrida.

Joanne is a selfless person who inspires and engages all those around her

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Cheryl Wall

Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development

Cheryl joined the department 25 years ago as an administration officer in Katherine. Today she is the Executive Director of Service Delivery North and responsible for 178 staff and 7,500 public housing assets across the Arnhem, Arafura, Big Rivers and Greater Darwin regions.

Cheryl has driven innovation in the housing portfolio – implementing the department’s housing complaints and appeals mechanism, giving people the right to an open, free and independent review of adverse decisions. She also facilitated the first Public Housing Appeals Forum in the Northern Territory.

Cheryl is well known and highly regarded in government and the Territory community for her professionalism and commitment to helping those less fortunate. She cares deeply for her staff and the welfare of her clients.

Mandy Crow

Department of Attorney-General and Justice

Mandy joined Territory Corrections in 2001 as a trainee prison officer in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre. Her ability and commitment in the ensuing 18 years has seen her move through the ranks to her current position as Chief Correctional Officer.

Mandy is the first female correctional officer to manage a correctional facility in the Northern Territory—a significant achievement in a once male-dominated area. She demonstrates high-level skills, knowledge and expertise as a correctional officer, a trainer, a negotiator in enterprise bargaining, a staff association representative and as a manager. One of Mandy’s key strengths is her commitment to working with the community. She has developed the Datjala Work Camp at Nhulunbuy into an outstanding asset, offering VET training and employment opportunities for prisoners.

Mandy is a leader and a role model for all staff in Correctional Services and is a leader in the region.

Raymond (Ray) Wilde

Department of Attorney-General and Justice

Originally a stockman on Queensland’s Linda Downs Station, Ray Wilde has worked in Territory Correctional Services for 15 years.

He started in the Darwin Correctional Centre as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer and is now a Program Facilitator delivering educational and skill development programs to people in custody. Ray loves working in the custodial environment and helping people to improve and change their lives.

He is passionate about teaching staff about Aboriginal culture and integrating this into culturally appropriate program and service delivery. Ray’s vast cultural knowledge has made a significant difference to custodial operations. Some examples are his leadership in developing a ‘sorry business’ area, implementing the ‘Elders Visiting’ program and working with psychologists and other treatment staff to deliver individual and group programs.

He is a person who focusses on the positive and the way forward, and he regularly goes above and beyond his role.

Bridgette Bellenger

Department of the Chief Minister

For eight years, Bridgette has led and played a significant role in regional development across the Territory.

As Senior Executive Director at DCM, she works across the spectrum of issues affecting remote and regional Territory communities, demonstrating exceptional strategic thinking, leadership and problem solving. Bridgette led the Territory Government’s negotiations for the development of both the Darwin City Deal and the Barkly Regional Deal, with both deals signed in 2018-19. Her open, considered, collaborative style and strength of leadership saw the agreement at all three levels of government to a series of initiatives that will transform both regions.

In Darwin, Bridgette negotiated $100 million in matched funding from the Commonwealth, including an education and civic precinct, the revitalisation of State Square and the establishment of an Urban Living Lab, which will position Darwin as a global leader in tropical heat mitigation.

In the Barkly her drive, passion and exceptional ability to deliver policy and programs while building relationships across all sectors helped to achieve the successful Barkly Regional Deal, the first of its kind in Australia.

Punata Stockman

Territory Families

Punata has spent the last nine years supporting the Central Australian communities of Papunya, Mount Liebig, Haasts Bluff and Kintore to drive the protection and care of children within local families.

It has required Punata to delicately balance her role as a community member with being a government officer, which she has managed professionally and empathetically. Punata has led the transformation of how Territory Families delivers services in remote areas. She worked alongside her town-based colleagues and service providers in communities to move from a reactive model to a family-led, collaborative and culturally strong service.

She has helped struggling families to keep their children safe and together by creating safety plans with the families, offering practical support to build their capability, opening her home to provide temporary fostering; and working with colleagues and other services to support them.

Her strong commitment to families in these communities will have positive impacts for future generations.