AMONG the Australia Day honours list this year were Kudardup’s Jill Grist with the Ambulance Service Medal for her years of dedication to the St John Ambulance Service, and Larry Brennen of Forest Grove who received the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the dairy industry in WA.

George Cash of Augusta received the AM for 25 years of service to the Parliament of WA and to the community, and John Horgan of Pemberton received an AM for services to the wine industry and promotion of tourism in WA, including the instigation of Leeuwin Estate with Denis and Tricia Horgan.

Mr Cash was a member of the Western Australian Parliament for nearly 25 years and is a former Minister of the Crown, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and president of the Legislative Council.

South West MLC Barry House said he had been privileged to serve with Mr Cash for many years and learned a lot from him.

“He commanded respect from all quarters of the Parliament,” he said.

“He was a good orator and a clear and rational thinker.”

Larry Brennen said he was “fairly humbled and a bit embarrassed” by his award.

“You can’t do everything on your own, you have the help of a lot of good people,” he said.

He said it was a privilege to be judged worthy of an award by his peers.

Mrs Grist has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance in Augusta since 1983, and an active volunteer since 1993.

“Mrs Grist is often described as the backbone of the Sub-Centre and she is extremely well liked and respected,” the Honours list said.

“Over the past 26 years Mrs Grist has been an integral part of the Augusta Sub-Centre and her contribution has been a significant factor in providing and sustaining a quality volunteer ambulance service for the people of her local community and the surrounding areas.”

Mrs Grist said it was “pretty good” to win the award, feeling “quite honoured, a bit embarrassed, but it’s a real honour”.

“I couldn’t do it without the help of my family and the sub centre,” she said.

The medals will be presented in April or May.