Tag: OAM

Everton Hills Hockey Legend Jenny Heron Receives National Honour

Photo Credit: Hockey Australia/ Facebook

Everton Hills resident Jenny Heron has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her six decades of voluntary service to women’s hockey across Queensland.

Read: Albany Creek Father and Daughter Shared the Stage at Brisbane’s Military Tattoo

Building a Sporting Legacy in Everton Hills

Jenny Heron
Photo Credit: Hockey Australia/ Facebook

The local community is celebrating after Heron was named in the 2026 Australia Day Awards for her lifelong commitment to the field. Her journey began in 1962 during her primary school years when a classmate invited her to play at Ascot. That single invitation led to a sixty-three-year membership with the same club. 

Over the decades, she moved from being a young player to taking on vital leadership roles, including serving as a coach, umpire, and club secretary. She was granted life membership at her home club in 1978, marking the first of many major milestones in her career.

Service to Brisbane and Queensland Hockey

Jenny Heron
Photo Credit: QLD Women’s Master’s Hockey/ Facebook

Heron’s influence extended far beyond her local club as she took on significant responsibilities within the Brisbane Women’s Hockey Association. She spent sixteen years on their management committee, holding the positions of vice president from 1995 to 1997 and secretary during two separate periods in the late eighties and nineties. 

Her expertise as a veterans’ selector began in 1995 and has continued almost without interruption since 2001. In recognition of this extensive provincial work, she was made a life member of the association more than twenty-five years ago.

Read: The ‘Koala Woman’ from Brookfield Honoured on International Women’s Day

Impact Across the State and Beyond

While she is a familiar face in the Everton Hills area, Heron has also represented the state on the national and international stage. She was selected to play for the Queensland Over 45 Masters team in Darwin in 1998 and later travelled to Hong Kong for the 2019 World Masters Indoor Championships. Her work as a technical officer and assistant tournament director earned her a life membership with Hockey Queensland in 2017. Even this year, she continues to support the sport by attending the Masters in Brisbane and the under-16 titles in Rockhampton to ensure the games are managed professionally for the next generation.

Published Date 08-March-2026

Albany Creek Historian Continues Community Work A Year After OAM

Photo Credit: Queensland Maritime Museum/Facebook

A year after receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia, an Albany Creek resident continues his long-standing commitment to historical research, writing and volunteer work within the local and maritime history sectors.

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

Recognition That Reflected Long-Term Service

Keith Boulton received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2025 Australia Day Honours for contributions to history preservation and community service, particularly through his voluntary work at the Queensland Maritime Museum.

At the time of the announcement, Mr Boulton was unaware he had been nominated and described the recognition as unexpected. The honour followed more than a decade of volunteering and historical research.

Albany Creek historian
Photo Credit: Queensland Maritime Museum/Facebook

Ongoing Role At The Queensland Maritime Museum

Mr Boulton has volunteered at the Queensland Maritime Museum since 2009 and became an Honorary Life Member in 2014. His contributions have included developing the museum’s Guides Notes system and editing its publications, Manifest and Murmurs, a role he has held since 2021.

A year after receiving the OAM, he continues to volunteer weekly at the museum and spends additional time working on historical publications from home. The museum remains operated entirely by volunteers.

Writing And Historical Research

Mr Boulton has authored several historical works covering genealogy, industry and community history. These include Boulton Genealogical Records 1700–2000, Castol in Queensland, and Morningside Rover Crew History 1920–2015.

He is also preparing a forthcoming publication titled Gone but not Forgotten!, a collection of short stories focused on ships, shipwrecks and Australia’s maritime past.

Keith Boulton
Photo Credit: Queensland Maritime Museum/Facebook

Community Connections In Albany Creek

Beyond maritime history, Mr Boulton has maintained long-term involvement in Albany Creek community life. He has volunteered with the Albany Creek Uniting Church for more than 25 years and continues to serve as the church historian.

His community involvement has also included participation with the Balmoral APEX Club, Friends of Balmoral Cemetery and the Bulimba District Historical Society.

Queensland Maritime Museum
Photo Credit: Queensland Maritime Museum/Facebook

From Trade Work To Historical Focus

Mr Boulton began his working life as a mechanic with Hornibrooks before working with vessels at Heron Island and on the Brisbane River. He later spent 26 years with Castrol and BP in a range of roles, including overseas work, before retiring as a Health and Safety Quality Assurance Lead Auditor.

Despite extensive travel and a varied career, his focus remains on documenting and preserving history within his local community.

Continuing Without Change

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One year after receiving national recognition, Mr Boulton’s routine remains largely unchanged. His ongoing volunteering, research and writing reflect a continuation of work established long before the award.

Published 20-Dec-2025