The small rural community of Angledool, north of Lightning Ridge, will be celebrating this week as local community stalwart Mr Rory Treweeke has been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2022.

Mr Treweeke was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for 'significant service to the rural community of New South Wales'.  

Australia’s distinctive honours system began in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, to recognise service to the nation or humanity. 

Individuals are appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in a particular locality or field or to a particular group whereas an OAM (the Medal of the Order of Australia) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition. 

Mr Treweeke, who is 79 years of age, has worn many hats in his lifetime and it would be difficult to pinpoint only one field or group, as his contribution to the region has been vast and varied. His sustained effort on behalf of small rural communities has been remarkable and there is no doubt he has left a mark. 

“Upon hearing of the Award, I was really surprised and very humbled”, he said. 

Mr Treweeke was born in Adelaide and following World War II his family moved to Collarenebri then Dirribandi. Soon after he was sent to complete his education at Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, adjusting to the green grass from the red dirt and dusty roads.  

After deciding on a Law degree, Mr Treweeke attended Melbourne University where he met his wife Joan (who was also completing a Law degree). The pair married in 1965 and made their way back to Dirranbandi and then settled in Angledool, where they purchased “Angledool Station”. 

Joan (who was awarded an OAM several years ago) and Rory, became a power couple for the district and beyond, with both being actively involved in many organisations since settling in the district.   

Joan and Rory Treweeke have both been recognised in Australia's national honours system. IMAGE SUPPLIED.

Mr Treweeke's commitment to Industry and Landholder committees is outstanding with such roles as Chairperson of Murray-Darling Basin Committee, Chairman Western CMA, Chairman of the Lower Balonne Floodplain Association, Chairman of Western Catchment Authority and Independent Chairman Barwon-Darling River Management Committee. 

He has also served as Chairman of Angledool/Lightning Ridge NSW Farmers Association Branch and as member of Lower Balonne Water Network and Working Group, Australian Floodplain Association, Stakeholder panel for water recovery, Department of Sustainability, Environment, water population and communities, Australian Floodplain Association, Western Lands Advisory council and Great Artesian Basin Advisory just to name a few.  

Mr Treweeke also held the position of Chairman for the Walgett Rural Counselling Service Advisory Committee and Chairman Western Division Landholder Recovery Group. 

TheTreweeke's property covers around 52000 acres and is an official rain recording station, throughout his time they have witnessed all facets of life on the land with drought hitting the hardest.  

“Life on the land is hard and I am passionate about the land and water issues," he said.  

“Sometimes these issues are controversial and difficult but we need to keep on improving the way we manage them and continue to move forward for future sustainability."  

“Good environmental management goes hand in hand with productive landscapes for both grazing and cropping," said Mr Treweeke. 

The Treweekes have made their home at Angledool Station showing that you can make an enormous community impact even from a remote location.

One of his proudest achievements is his involvement with the ICPA (Isolated Children’s Parent’s Association), a voluntary non-profit apolitical parent body dedicated to ensuring all geographically isolated children’s educational needs and aspirations are not disadvantaged because of where they live. 

“ICPA started off in Bourke with Wally Mitchell and early on, I jumped on board. Having five children of our own (Michael, Ann-Marie, Fiona, Nicholas and Andrew), Joan and I wanted to give them a good start," said Mr Treweeke.  

“I am incredibly lucky to have been involved with such an outstanding organisation that has played a pivotal role in the lives of so many rural children and families”.  

“Developing and improving the satellite system enabled so many more families to access educational as well as medical assistance and improved life for those in isolated areas," he said.  

Mr Treweeke made ICPA part of his life's work and was not only NSW President but in the years between 1979 and 1985 held the title of Federal President and went on to be named a Life Member for his efforts. He wrote a submission on behalf of ICPA and personally submitted it to the Government in an attempt to highlight rural struggles in the hope of gaining funding and support for the group. 

In between all of that Mr Treweeke was a member of Lightning Ridge Rotary, Committee member Australian Opal Centre, Board member National Centre for Research on Rural Education – University of Western Australia, Angledool Fire Captain and a Justice of the Peace.  

When asked if he ever slept, he replied, “I lived on 4-5 hours of sleep a night, I am not sure how I did it," he laughed.  

“But reflecting on it all this award is not about me but about all of the wonderful people who I have worked with on committees for such worthy causes with great results, for the environment, for the children and for the people of rural Australia. That is the most satisfying reward I could ever ask for”.