The Hon. Alexander Downer, MP
 FORMER MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AUSTRALIA

ARCHIVED MATERIAL

Media Release

FA128 - 17 October 2003

Bali Honours Recognise Outstanding Efforts

I warmly congratulate the 52 members of my department and two members of AusAid who were today recognised in the Bali Honours List for awards within the Order of Australia for their tireless efforts in responding to this tragedy.
I am very proud of the role my department played in close collaboration with other parts of the government, Indonesian authorities and numerous volunteers in very difficult circumstances. They worked selflessly and professionally to deal with the tragedy, accounting for the many Australians who were caught up in the attacks. They comforted and supported the victims, helped to organise the return to Australia of the injured and handled the difficult and stressful recovery and repatriation of remains back home.
Thirty two departmental officers from Canberra and our embassy in Jakarta were despatched to Bali within hours of the bombing to supplement our Consulate in Bali. Their role was to assist grieving families in the agonising task of locating and identifying victims.
It is difficult to single people out but I would like to pay special tribute to the outstanding efforts of Ross Tysoe, who was today appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia. He and his colleague David Chaplin were among the first on the scene.
Over 700 staff volunteered to work in the crisis and emergency call centre, which was set up in Canberra in the immediate aftermath of the bombings. In the first days, over 30,000 calls were taken from distressed Australians concerned about the welfare of loved ones.
I would also like to congratulate the many volunteers whose outstanding efforts in working to save lives are also recognised today.
There are many unsung heroes both in Australia and in Bali whose efforts and compassion have played a vital role in responding to this senseless atrocity. For many this has had a profound and lasting impact.
The recipients of these awards exemplify the commitment and dedication of all involved. They are a small but important symbol of the spirit of community we as Australians share with each other and our neighbours.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Lyndall Sachs (Departmental) 02 6261 1555

BALI TRAGEDY HONOURS LIST

DFAT Officers AO
Ross Tysoe
DFAT Officers AM
David Chaplin
Ian Kemish
John McAnulty
Colin Rigby
Dr Richard Tomlins
DFAT Officers PSM
Brad Armstrong
Bill Jackson
Ric Smith
Tracey Wunder
DFAT Officers OAM
Indonesian team
Julie Brownrigg
Brent Hall
Kim Lamb
Susan Cobley
Brian Diamond
Barry White
Lorenzo Strano
Kirk Coningham
Liz O'Neill
Rod McBride
Lex Bartlem
Tom Sinkovits
Steve Candotti
Frank Evatt
Rebecca Hamon
Mark Fraser
Mark Pearson
John Janssen
Tim Toomey
Ruth Stone
Julie Shiels
Craig Chittick
Don Elliott
Neil Mules
John Godwin
Richard Jameson
Elizabeth Morris
David Imhoff

Australian team
Janette Lynagh
Susan Cox
Jeff Roach
Tracy Reid
Chris De Cure
Philip Green
Fiona Leonard
Donald Smith
DFAT LES
Dharti Suta
Angky Septiana
Yudiartha Giri
Putu Aryartha
Wayan Yuliasih
Deborah Manduapessy
AusAID
Catherine Yates
Zabeta Moutafis

 http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2003/fa128_03.html