Two Receive King’s Birthday Honours

June 9, 2025

Two well-known and respected South Burnett residents have received awards in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.

Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch president Don Davey and Kingaroy Engineering Works founder Vernon Clark have both been awarded Medals of the Order of Australia (OAMs).

The awards were announced by Governor-General Sam Mostyn on Sunday night.

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Mr Clark received his award for services to engineering.

His citation stated that he has been owner and director of the Kingaroy Engineering Works since 1956, as well as a consultant – engineering and research – in the Australian peanut industry.

Earlier this year, Mr Clark was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 South Burnett Regional Council Australia Day Awards.

Mr Clark is a pioneer in manufacturing machinery for the peanut industry.

The Australia Day awards ceremony was told that Mr Clark had a thirst for making things and was self-taught, using manuals given to him by an uncle.

Mr Clark set up the Kingaroy Engineering Works in 1956 and began making harvesting equipment for the agriculture industry.

His equipment was used in the local industry as well as being exported to the United States, Fiji and New Zealand.

Over the years, KEW has manufactured more than 200 commercial peanut threshers and self-propelled headers, 250 commercial maize fronts and various other specialised machinery and equipment.

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Vietnam veteran Don Davey received his award for service to veterans and their families.

His citation listed his many roles and accomplishments over decades of service to the veterans’ community and the RSL movement:

Queensland Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia

• Board Member, 2018-2019
• Life Member, 2023

Wide Bay and Burnett District, Returned and Services League of Australia

• President, 2018-2019
• Deputy President, 2016-2018
• Instigator, Mobile Welfare Office

Kingaroy-Memerambi Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia

• President, since 2009
• Former Secretary
• Co-ordinator, Kingaroy RSL Villas, since 1993
• Annual Host, Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day Services
• Welfare Officer, current
• Former Co-ordinator, Anzac Centenary Memorial

Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Veterans’ Drop-In Centre

• Co-ordinator, since 1993
• Department of Veterans Affairs Advocate, current
• Co-Founder

Vietnam Veterans Association, South Burnett Branch

• Former President
• Former Secretary
• Member

The Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women Inc (South Burnett)

• Supporter, current
• Member, current

Legacy Queensland

• Former District Chair

Legacy South Burnett Branch

• President, current
• Principal Legatee, current
• Funeral Officer, current
• Welfare Member, current

Rural Fire Service Queensland, Ballogie Brigade

• Crew Leader, 2012-2021
• Brigade Training Officer, 2006-2013
• Secretary, 2005
• Member, since 2002

The Great Priory of Queensland, Freemasons Queensland

• Various positions, Kingaroy Masonic Lodge
• Various positions, South Burnett Masonic Lodge

Other

• Former Training Officer, Australian Army Cadets
• Member, Australian Army, 1968-1988
• Justice of the Peace, over 30 years

Awards and recognitions include:

• Volunteer of the Year, South Burnett Regional Council, 2023
• Anzac of the Year Award, Returned and Services League of Australia, 2020
• Various service medals, including Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp ‘‘Vietnam”