Ray Leggat and Barbara O’Brien have been acknowledged for their extensive contribution and service to different segments of the Australian community. 

Mr Leggat has been recognised with the award of the Order of Australia in the Military Division (AM). 

Despite growing up a long way from the sea, the South Dubbo High School graduate and Navy Captain has earned the award for his exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy. 

“I am proud of my rural roots,” Captain Leggat said. 

Although he now lives in Sydney, Captain Leggatt tries to get back to his home town as often as he can. 

“I came to Dubbo for Anzac Day this year, and have spoken at Dubbo RSL Remembrance Day events,” he said.

After joining the Navy in 1983, Captain Leggatt completed training at the Royal Australian Naval College before gaining his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in HMAS Sydney. 

“Receiving this award is a humbling experience.

“I am appreciative of the hard work of those people who have worked with me,” Captain Leggatt said.

Dubbo resident Barbara O’Brien has been recognised for service to the community of the Coonamble region. 

A councillor on the Coonamble Shire Council from 2008 to 2012, Mrs O’Brien was actively involved in the fundraising and construction of the Gulargambone Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 2012. 

“I am very humbled to have been nominated,” Mrs O’Brien said. 

“I like to think that the permanent record I have left in Gulargambone is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which honours the ten solders who served from the town,” she said. 

“I could not have done it without the support of the community and local historian Mrs Doreen best, who did an extensive amount of research on the event.”

Mrs O’Brien has been a member of the Country Women’s Association of NSW for more than 10 years as the Agricultural and Environmental officer. 

She was involved in many different community based initiatives such as Welcome to Gulargambone, Seniors Week and International Women’s Day. 

Mrs O’Brien also served as the director of nursing for Gulargambone Hospital, a committee member of Coonamble Health Council and volunteered her time on the Coonamble Heritage committee.