John Winter Pickup OAM Investiture 12 May 2021

John Winter Pickup's Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division was announced as part of the Australia Day Honours on the 26th of January 2020 by the Governor-General, David Hurley AC DSC FTSE.

Here on the AnArt4Life blog we know John as an artist and one of the Brushmen of the Bush. However his OAM was received for his 57 years service to the community as a broadcaster including ABC Regional Manager Broken Hill, New South Wales and Mackay, Queensland; Manager of the ABC Radio and Television Darwin, and inaugural Manager of Radio 4CRM Mackay. The background detailing John's considerable achievements across many fields was covered in a previous AnArt4Life post - John Pickup OAM. ²

John and his family travelled to Government House in Brisbane for the ceremony. Twenty-four other people were also to receive their Australia Day Honour on this day but due to a change in procedure, each person was given a separate ceremony.

Here is his recollection of the day.

"We entered into the grounds of Government House, and I was at once struck by just how beautiful this building is, the official residence and workplace of Queensland Governors since 1910."

"We entered into a side building first and, after some intitial paperwork, a splendid officer in uniform with gold braid introduced himself as our guide for the day. He explained in some detail what the procedure would be. We felt very comfortable with his warmth and friendliness, which, by the way, was typical of every member of staff that we met thoughout the day."

"Following the new procedure for investitures each recipient and their family members now enter as a small individual group."

"After a short wait in an ante room with beautiful chandeliers and portraits of former governors we were ushered into the investiture room where chairs placed for my party and I. However, I elected to sit in my wheelie walker in front of them."

"His Excellency’s private secretary came in and advised that she would be acting as MC at the lecturn and explained the procedure. We were then invited to stand for the governor's entrance and the playing of a shortened version of the Vice Regal anthem."

"With an army officer carrying a red cushion with my medal by his side, His Excellency came forward and when I tried to stand, he kindly suggested I remain seated."

John continues:

"After the investiture I was able to stand for photos with his Excellency and, under this new procedure, families are able to take photos most of the time."

"After a short, very pleasant, conversation with the governor we were invited to move downstairs for morning tea at tables under large umbrellas and set with trays containing a lovely assortment of sandwiches, cakes and hot foods. Stewards wearing white gloves explained the different cakes and savoury delights on tiered stands, and a smiling waitress served us champagne, fruit juice, tea and coffee."

"We were then invited to move to the steps for the official photographer to take photos with the family and my guide, and then he suggested that we could move around to take our own photos, which we did. I particularly like the photo of myself with my guide, as he was just so friendly and welcoming."

"In fact, a really outstanding feature of the whole event was the way we were greeted with smiles and the word “congratulations” from every member of the staff we came into contact with. Although there were 25 recipients on our day we were never under pressure to hurry along and two or three other groups sitting at the tables would also say “Congratulations” as they moved past."

"It was a memorable day and I thank all of you who have passed on your own congratulations to me." John Pickup OAM