The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. It is one of the prestigious awards given by the Governor-General each year, at a ceremony in Sydney.

"Here in Lismore, particularly over the past few months, we see the DNA of true community spirit well and truly alive", says our recently honoured Order of Australia Medal winner, for service to the community through a range of roles, Brian Henry. A man who since his arrival here in 1982 has engaged heavily with the community in both the business sector and local government policy arena, but also in community service through being a Rotarian since 1983 and achieving great things for Lismore City and its people.

The list of roles Brian has served our community in are many:

The Rotary Club of Goonellabah

• Immediate Past President, since 2020.
• President, 1988-1989, 2002-2003, 2014-2015.
• President, Kadina Park Upgrade Project, 2018-2019, Advocate, since 1996.
• Team Leader, Group Study Program to Finland, Rotary District 9640, 1990.
• Chairman, Lismore Bicentennial Heritage Centre Project, 1988.
• Paul Harris Fellow, since 1988.
• Member, since 1984.

 Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation (NRCCF)

• Treasurer, 2005-2020.

 Our House (NRCCF and Our Kids)

• Founding Board Member, since 2012.
• Volunteer Manager, c2012-2014.
• Convener and Facilitator, NSW Not For Profit Accommodation Providers Conference, since 2014. 

 Lismore Regional Gallery

• Co-Lead and Committee Member, raised funds to purchase a work of Geoff Hannah, 'The Hannah Cabinet', 2016-2021.
• Co-Producer, 'The Hannah Cabinet Video', 30-minute video, 2018.

 Lismore City Council

• Councillor, 2004-2008.
• Chair, Lismore Economic Development Advisory Board (LEDAB), c1999-2008.
• Chairman, Wilsons River Redevelopment Steering Committee, 1999-2008.
• Former Steering Committee Member, Senior Citizens Centre, Goonellabah.

 Professional/business

• Managing Director, Brian Henry Business Consultants Pty Ltd, current.
• Managing Director, Karjo Pty Ltd - Property Development, current.
• Past Chairman and Delegate to LEDAB - Lismore Business Enterprise Centre, 1990-1999.
• Managing Director, SMC Auto Centre - Lismore and Ballina, 1982-2000.
• Board Member, Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee, 2001-2012.
• Chairman, Motor Traders Association of NSW - Northern Rivers, 1985-1988.
• Board Member, Cellulose Valley Project, Southern Cross University, 2000-2001.
• Executive Committee, Mazda Dealer Association of Queensland, 1990-1996.

Brian said he had no idea he was being nominated, "Or who nominated me! It was a surprise, and when I got the letter in the mail informing me of the nomination, I decided to accept it, because it shows someone is recognising the work I've been doing in the community, and that's an honour, so I did!"

When we asked Brian what he was most proud of, he said that one of the things is the Cancer patient support accommodation for Our Kids, where they have weekly dinners each Tuesday and Thursday night, he spoke with passion about how important this is for people's outlook and sense of connection, during extremely tough times. He also spoke of the Lismore Levy advocacy through the Lismore Business Community, which had been part of discussions for 80 years before it was finally passed.

Brian speaks of his love for Lismore, and the wonderful decision it had been for him and his wife Helen to move here, to raise their 3 children here, all of whom have remained in the region to raise their families. He spoke about the resilience and the care and the way the people of Lismore come together, being a community of people who care and contribute, evident in the area having at one stage 5 clubs, which is unusual for a Regional City.

There are four levels of award. The Order of Australia also has a Military Division (awards in this division are recommended to the Governor-General by the Minister for Defence).

Anyone can nominate a community member for an award in the Order of Australia.

Nominating someone is a chance to recognise a peer for their hard work, service and dedication. It is an opportunity to celebrate those inspiring people who make our nation what it is.