Congratulations to Distinguished Service and Achievement award recipients

Pictured left to right, Heather Stoney receiving Speed the Plough Medal from Noelene King OAM, Melbourne Royal Director

The Melbourne Royal Board proudly presented the following Distinguished Service and Achievement awards for 2020 and 2021. 

Ordinarily these awards are presented at the Melbourne Royal Show, however due to the 2020 and 2021 Show being cancelled, these Distinguished Service and Achievement awards were presented at the President’s Luncheon on Friday 29 July 2022 in the Victoria Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds.   

President’s Medal: 

Eligibility criteria: The President’s Medal can be presented to volunteers. long serving staff or Speed the Plough Medal and/or Honorary Life Membership recipients. Member and non-members are eligible. 

  • Lois Wilkinson 
    For outstanding and passionate service to the Dog Competition and Dog Committee since 1976. 
  • Dr Roger Wilkinson 
    For outstanding contributions to the Sheep and Fleece competitions for 37 years and exhibiting for nearly four decades. 
  • Sue Gullick
    For outstanding and dedicated service working in the Melbourne Royal finance team for more than 30 years. 
  • William (Arthur) Angliss Jr 
    For outstanding service over 60 years as a steward for the Beef Cattle Competition and a successful beef cattle exhibitor. 

Honorary Life Membership: 

Eligibility criteria: Members of Melbourne Royal who have been financial members for an extended period of time, and have also made a valuable contribution to Melbourne Royal. 

  • Gavin Wall 
    For outstanding, passionate representation and advocacy of Melbourne Royal competitions over 60 years. 
  • Bruce Redpath
    For outstanding service as a Councillor, committee member and steward for the Horses in Action Competition for over 20 years. 
  • Jane Allen 
    For outstanding service as a Councillor, committee member and steward for the Horses in Action Competition for over 20 years. 
  • Ian Rough 
    For outstanding service as a Councillor, committee member and steward for the Horses in Action Competition for over 30 years. 
  • Doug Deppeler 
    For outstanding contributions and commitment to the Sheep Competition for 49 years. 
  • Christina Despoteris OAM 
    For outstanding contributions to Melbourne Royal for over 20 years, supporting Arts, Craft & Cookery, Poultry Competition and Food & Beverage Awards. 
  • Susan Campbell-Wright 
    For more than 20 years of outstanding service to Art, Craft & Cookery as an exhibitor, steward and committee member and Chair of the committee. 
  • Scott Chapman 
    For 11 years of distinguished service and valuable contribution as a Melbourne Royal Board Director 
  • Ian Christie 
    For outstanding service to the Sheep Competition as exhibitor and steward and for elevating the Sheep offerings at the Melbourne Royal Show. 
  • David Spencer 
    For outstanding contributions as a committee member, steward and exhibitor for the Beef Cattle and Beef Carcase Competitions. 
  • Professor Emeritus Lindsay Falvey 
    For nearly 20 years of distinguished service and valuable contribution as a Melbourne Royal Councillor. 
  • John Patterson OAM 
    For more than 50 years of outstanding service to the Horses in Action Competition and the Melbourne Royal Show. 
  • Dr Richard Cust 
    For more than 35 years of service and valuable contribution as a Melbourne Royal Councillor, Director and member of Melbourne Royal Veterinary panel and Horses in Action Committee 
  • Tony Rowden 
    For exceptional service and contribution as a Melbourne Royal Councillor, Beef Cattle Committee member and steward for Beef Cattle and Carcase competitions. 

Speed the Plough Medal: 

Eligibility criteria: May be awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to benefit the Society. Long time exhibitors, operators, committee members, stewards, staff or Board members are eligible. 

  • Lorelle Deppeler 
    For outstanding contributions and commitment to the Sheep Competitions for 49 years. 
  • John Mason 
    For more than 20 years outstanding service stewarding for the Horse Competition, in particular the Hunting section. 
  • Rae Christie
    For outstanding service to the Sheep Competition as exhibitor and steward and for elevating the Sheep offerings at the Melbourne Royal Show 
  • Wayne Loughnan
    For outstanding service to the Horses In Action Competition as an exhibitor, steward and committee member. 
  • Melinda Ralph
    For exceptional service and commitment to elevating the Horses In Action Competition. 
  • Brett Hickey
    For exceptional service to the Horses In Action Competition, including stakeholder engagement. 
  • Yvonne Morrison
    For more than 50 years’ outstanding service to the Horses In Action Competition including exhibiting, training, stewarding and judging. 
  • Bron Ellis
    For exceptional service and contribution to the Sheep Competition, as a steward, committee member and overseeing the Sheep schools program. 
  • Heather Stoney
    For exceptional service and contribution to the Sheep Competition, as a steward, exhibitor and committee member.