June 8, 2015
Former Rosalie Shire mayor Noel Strohfeld has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list announced on Monday.
Mr Strohfeld, who lives at Ravensbourne, was awarded for his service to local government and to the community of Toowoomba.
He was elected a councillor at Rosalie Shire in 1979 and became mayor in 1997.
He served in this role until the controversial Council amalgamations in 2008.
Mr Strohfeld then was elected in 2008 for a term on the newly amalgamated Toowoomba Regional Council.
During his long service to local government, Mr Strohfeld also served as president of the South Burnett Local Government Association (SBLGA), president of the Darling Downs Local Government Association (DDLGA), deputy chairman of the Eastern Downs Regional Organisation of Councils (EDROC) and was a Board member of the South West Queensland Electricity Board (SWQEB), the South East Queensland Western Catchment Group, and the South East Queensland Catchment Members Association.
He is currently chairman of the South Burnett Community Bank Group, vice-chairman of the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, a member of the Darling Downs Priory Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem, and a member of the Quinalow Progress Association.
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Inspector Michael Bianchi, from the Southern Region – which includes the South Burnett – has been awarded an Australian Police Medal (APM).
His citation reads:
“Inspector Bianchi has provided outstanding dedication and commitment to the Queensland Police Service and to the wider community during his career. He is recognised for his integrity, leadership and excellence in the areas of change management and operational policing, particularly in his role in the Southern Region where he currently serves.
“He has seen service in various police appointments and his professionalism and expertise in the roles of District Officer have garnered the respect of his peers, and the support of his subordinates.
“He is acknowledged as an officer who can implement effective and efficient change and is a role model for many officers.
“Inspector Bianchi’s diligent contributions and his superior carriage of duty bring great credit on himself and reflect on the high standards expected of members of the Queensland Police Service.”
