2025 Australia Day Honours
More than 730 individuals have been recognised as part of the 2025 Australia Day Honours list, with a few members of the bowls community bestowed Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) awards.
Former Bowls SA President Judith Whiting earned recognition specifically for her contribution and service to the sport, while the late Roslyn Jones‘, from Northern Territory, and Victoria’s Neil Heatley‘s involvement in bowls was a contributing factor in a broader contribution to the community.
Whiting was a long-standing member of Adelaide’s Modbury Bowling Club since the 1970s, and served a stint as President between 1989-91, which led to higher honours, taking the reigns of her state as Bowls SA President in 1995, the same year she was awarded Life Membership.
Heatley was honoured for service to the community of northern Melbourne, which encapsulated his contribution to Kingsbury Bowls Club, where he served as Chairman for a 20-year period between 1995-2015, among a litany of other volunteer committee and administration positions.
Jones was bestowed her award posthumously for service to the community of Coomalie Shire, which included her contribution to Rum Jungle Ladies Bowls Club, where she served as President for an unspecified period of time in the 1980s, and as Secretary/Treasurer between 2009-2012.
Bowls Australia congratulates all recipients for their commitment to their communities and the sport of bowls over many years.
To view all 2025 Australia Day honour recipients, click here.
2025 Australia Day honours recipients (bowls contributors)
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM):
Mrs Judith Atala Whiting, Hope Valley SA 5090
For service to lawn bowls.
- – Bowls SA
- President, 1995.
- Former Committee Member.
- Life Member, 1995.
– Modbury Bowling Club - President, 1989-1991.
- Member, since 1970s.
- Life Member.
– Other - Member, South Australian Indoor Bias Bowls Association, over 45 years.
- Member, Tea Tree Gully View Club, Interests & Education of Women Club, 20 years.
Mr Neil Harold Heatley, VIC
For service to the community of northern Melbourne.
Kingsbury Bowls Club
- Chairman, 1995-2015.
- Bar Manager, 1983-1985.
- President, Bowls Section, 2 years.
- Senior Vice President, 2 years.
- Junior Vice President, 2 years.
- Life Member, 1988.
– Justice of the Peace - Justice of the Peace, Epping Police, Preston Police, Reservoir Police and Preston Library Document
– Signing Centre’s, since 2003. - Member, Austin Health Document Signing Centre, since 2016.
Victorian Department of Education - Teacher, Kingsbury Technical School, 1971-1972 and 1984-1990.
- Teacher, Watsonia Technical School, 1972.
- Teacher, Fawkner Technical School, 1973-1983.
The late Mrs Roslyn May Jones, NT
For service to the community of Coomalie Shire.
St John Ambulance, Northern Territory – Batchelor Division
- Volunteer, 1978-2023.
- Officer of the Order of St John, 2007.
- Superintendent, 1979-1994.
- First Aid Instructor to Medallion Standard, 1992-1993.
- Member of the Order of St John, 1988.
- Superintendent, Cadet Division, 1980-1981.
– Rum Jungle Recreation Club - Former Honorary Secretary/Treasurer, 1970s.
- Reunion Coordinator, 2003, and 2013.
– Rum Jungle Ladies Bowls Club - President, 1980s.
- Secretary/Treasurer, 2009-2012.
– Community - Coordinator, Sabbath School, Batchelor Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1988-2023.
- Committee Member, Batchelor Museum Development Association, 2010-2023.
- Volunteer, Batchelor Tourism Top End Information Centre, 2008-2013.
- Steering Committee Member, Coomalie Community Government Council, early 1990s.
- Past Chair, Coomalie and District Health Action Committee, 1980s.
- Volunteer, Clean Up Australia, 20 years.
- Administration Manager/Secretary, Batchelor Area School, 1981-2009.
– Awards and Recognition include: - Australia Day Coomalie Community Volunteer Award, Coomalie Community Government Council, 2022.
- Centenary Medal, 2001.
- Australia Day Coomalie Citizen Award, Coomalie Community Government Council, 1995.
