Regional South Aussies recognised with Order of Australia medals

This includes the Order of Australia, meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

Governor-General David Hurley congratulated the recipients, saying they have made an difference and had an impact at the local, national or even international level.

"Individually, they are inspiring and collectively they speak to the strength of our communities," he said.

"We value their service, thank them for their hard work and selflessness and, today, celebrate them."

Recognition was also given to Country Fire Service volunteer Andrew Cadd, Agery, who was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal.

Mr Cadd has volunteered with the CFS for the past 34 years and attended more than 200 incidents in the past decade.

He has led strike teams into some of the state's most harrowing incidents, including Pinery, Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island.

He has sat as a senior volunteer on regional committees and is a member of the State Bushfire Coordination Committee, whose primary role is to promote the coordination of activities of agencies responsible for bushfire management.

Mr Cadd has led the improved working relationship between SACFS and Farm Fire Units and was also part of developing a community-led practice for monitoring grain harvesting conditions, assisting in the development of a text-based system to give farmers early information in relation to grass fire danger indexes and fire starts.

Here are the OAM recipients from regional South Australia.

Mr Adler has been recognised for service to the community through a range of organisations.

He was a founding member of the Yankalilla and District Men's Shed, serving on the committee since 2015 and becoming president in 2023.

He is also a member of the Australian Men's Shed Association and volunteers at the Yankalilla Centre Residential Care Home.

He is also an active volunteer in emergency services support, having been an EMT Ambulance volunteer, a member of the Yankalilla SA State Emergency Service, a St John Ambulance volunteer and active in the Burnside Country Fire Service brigade - where he is a life member - having served for 40 years from 1970 to 2010, including stints at the training officer and captain.

Mr Cockshell was recognised for service to the community through a range of organisations, and to geophysics.

He has been a member of Rotary Australia for a number of years, serving as central region chair since 2014.

Mr Cockshell also worked in PIRSA and senior geophysicist from 1977 to 1990 and chief petroleum geophysicits and director of geophysical operations from 1990 to 2018.

He has been a member of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, on both a state and national level, including a stint as federal treasurer.

Mr Holland was honoured for service to the community through emergency response organisations.

He has been a volunteer at the Coonalpyn SA Ambulance Service station since 1989, and was volunteer team leader from 1993 to 2020.

Ms Low was recognised for service to the community of the Lower Eyre Peninsula.

She was on the board of the West Coast Homecare from 2014 to 2022, and was chair from 2016-22.

She was also a board member of Meals on Wheels SA, along with volunteering.

Ms Low has also been an active member of the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula, serving as Mayor from 2009-18 and Deputy Mayor from 2002-09.

She was also president of the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association from 2012-15.

Mr Paxton was honoured for service to the community through a range of roles.

He is the founder of the Great Tracks Cleanup Crew, a volunteer group who travel around Outback SA picking up rubbish and discarded industrial items, serving as a director and treasurer.

Within the Gilbert Valley Lions Club, he coordinated several projects, including the Riverton Cemetery clean up.

He was also a member of the Tailem Bend Lions Club, the Clare and Districts Lions Club, the Riverton RSL, Seaford Rise Neighbourhood watch, the Edithburgh Sea Rescue Squadron, Edithburgh CFS, Edithburgh Progress Association and Leigh Creek SES.

Mr Holland served with SA Police from 1976 to 2016.

Mr Vanstone was recognised for service to the community of Port Pirie.

He was a councillor on the Port Pirie Regional Council from 1995 to 2014, standing as mayor from 2009-14.

Mr Vanstone is deputy chair of the Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North group and chair of the Spencer Gulf Uni Hub.

He is a former Deacon of the Port Pirie Baptist Church and is a member of the Broughton Plains Heritage Society.

Mrs Carter was honoured for service to conservation and the environment.

She has been a member of the National Trust of SA since 1996, including a stint as vice president, and has been a life member since 2012.

She was a member of the Native Vegetation Council and State Revegetation Committee, and a Trees for Life life member and Bush for Life Coordinator.

Mr Van Keulen was recognised for service to community music.