2025 Australia Day: Albany Creek Historian Awarded OAM for Community Service

2025 Australia Day

An Albany Creek resident has been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours for his dedication to preserving history and serving the community.



Keith Boulton received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his significant contributions, particularly his work as a voluntary historian at the Queensland Maritime Museum (QMM). Mr Boulton was surprised and humbled to receive the honour, unaware of his nomination.

A Lifetime of Service

Mr Boulton has been a dedicated volunteer at the QMM since 2009, becoming an Honorary Life Member in 2014. He developed the QMM Guides Notes system and has been the editor of the museum’s publications, “Manifest” and “Murmurs,” since 2021.  His passion for history extends beyond the maritime world. He has authored several historical works, including “Boulton Genealogical Records 1700-2000,” “Castol in Queensland,” and “Morningside Rover Crew History 1920-2015.” He is also set to publish a collection of short stories about ships, shipwrecks, and Australia’s maritime past, titled “Gone but not Forgotten!”.

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Mr Boulton’s commitment to community service is evident in his long-term involvement with the Albany Creek Uniting Church, where he has volunteered for over 25 years and served as church historian. His contributions also extend to other organisations, including the Balmoral APEX Club, Friends of Balmoral Cemetery, and the Bulimba District Historical Society.

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From Mechanic to Historian

Mr Boulton’s career path has been diverse. Starting as a mechanic with Hornibrooks, he worked with vessels at Heron Island and on the Brisbane River. He later spent 26 years abroad with Castrol and BP in various roles before retiring as a Health and Safety Quality Assurance Lead Auditor.



Despite his extensive travels and career achievements, Mr. Boulton remains grounded in his community and dedicated to preserving its history.  He continues volunteering at the QMM every Thursday, working countless hours at home on publications. He said that volunteers entirely ran the museum and that he loved his work there.

Published Date 29-Jan-2025