Community
23 June, 2025
Trio aptly recognised
THREE Cairns locals have been honoured by the Governor of Queensland for their outstanding contributions to community safety, infrastructure and the preservation of Indigenous botanical knowledge at the 50th Australian Honours and Awards ceremony.
Gerald Paul Turbin (PSM) from Mooroobool, Andrew Pyke (PSM) from Trinity Beach and Michael Misi from Earlville were recognised at a Queensland honours ceremony at the Cairns Art Gallery with two Public Service Medals (PSM) and a Commendation for Brave Conduct respectively on Wednesday.
Queensland Governor Dr Jeanette Young presented the awards to the three residents highlighting their remarkable work.
“Medals are the most enduring of historical records, as decades pass records will decay and memories will be lost but the medals you received today will continue as a record of your service for generations to come,” she said.
“On behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate you and thank you for your service.”
Mr Turbin (PSM) has been championing Indigenous science and research by leading the Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre at the Australian Tropical Herbarium in Cairns where he works closely with Traditional Owners to record and preserve cultural botanic knowledge,
“This award is a recognition that we’re keeping culture, language and especially knowledge alive, it’s a recognition to Traditional Owners and their knowledge,” he said.
“I started off just in botany, with ecosystem mapping and vegetation surveys in Queensland, and it morphed into an interest in Indigenous plants.
“So we work with Traditional Owners, recording their knowledge for future generations and looking at ways we can use their knowledge for their own benefits.
“One project we have is using Indigenous knowledge in medicinal plants and analysing those plants to look for a novel drug for inflammatory bowel disease.”
Mr Pyke (PSM) was awarded for his contribution to infrastructure development and public service in Western Australia. As regional director of Main Roads Pilbara, he’s played a pivotal role in expanding mining activity and securing critical road and bridge infrastructure through innovative public-private partnerships. “This award is for my work in Pilbara for about 25 years,” he said.
“I saw there was an increase in iron ore being transported to the ports in both rail and road. I acknowledged the fact that the mines provided a significant income stream for WA, so I saw fit to provide assistance by way of delivering the additional infrastructure needed to make the roads safe and do that work for the mining companies.
“This led to much safer road outcomes for Pilbara generally and increased the efficiency of freight movement in the Pilbara, both by train and by road.”
Mr Misi was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct after he rescued a young girl from dangerous floodwaters near Woree in February 2023. Mr Misi entered the swollen creek at personal risk, stabilising the girl on submerged rocks until help arrived. He was only a high school student at the time.
