Swan advocate in Queen’s Honors

CoSBA conveys our heartiest of congratulations to Sandra Wallis for receiving the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Sandra is a most deserving person for the award having worked assiduously for many years with the Swan Chamber of Commerce in representing the interest of business, in particular small business, in the Midland region. We salute Sandra, a true champion of small business and a most deserving recipient of the prodigious OAM award. Sadly too few champions of small business that work tirelessly, many unpaid, on behalf small business do so without recognition.

A CHAMPION of small business, the Swan region and Midland’s redevelopment has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sandra Wallis, the decades long former chief executive of the Swan Chamber of Commerce, said it was humbling to be awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

“You work with a lot of great people to make things happen; you put a lot of effort in, everyone does,” she told the Reporter.

“And when the people you work with see fit to nominate you for an award, you feel so honoured and very grateful.”

Mrs Wallis said she still regarded the Swan region as one of the greatest areas of Perth.

“It will be the region to grow and develop the most,” she said. “We have to make sure it is kept in the forefront of government.

“And we’ve got local government people and politicians in the area who understand that.”

She said the building of St John of God Midland Public Hospital “changed everything” for Midland.

“The changes we’ll see in the next five years will be hugely expediential,” she said.

Apart from her long Swan Chamber of Commerce service and founding the Junior Swan Chamber, she has been involved with boards, local associations and groups, including:

  • Midland Central, Town Centre Promotions and Midland Festival.
  • Swan Regional Business Enterprise Centre.
  • Combined Small Business Association.
  • North East Metropolitan Regional Council; and
  • Schools Industry Training Association.

She helped establish the Midland Redevelopment Authority and was a committee member of the Perth Darwin Highway Advocacy Group.

  • Brian Luhr, of Guildford, was awarded an OAM for service to the Anglican Church.

His service at the Anglican Parish of Christ Church. St Laurence spans many years and roles, including head server and. master of ceremonies sinee 2002.

(SOURCE: Midland Reporter, 14.6.16, Justin Blanchini)