Three Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) officers have been awarded with the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday celebrations.
Minster for Corrective Services, Mark Ryan MP said QCS officers were front-line public safety officers playing a vital role in community safety.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Queensland, I am honoured to congratulate this year’s Australian Corrections Medal recipients: Superintendent Evie Georgas, Correctional Manager Larry Guilfoyle and Superintendent Lucy Rockett,” Minister Ryan said.
Commissioner Peter Martin APM said the Australian Corrections Medal acknowledges the excellent, often unseen work that correctional officers do to keep their communities safe.
“Sentence Management Services South East Queensland Regional Manager, Superintendent Evie Gorgas is recognised for her significant commitment to the QCS, to prisoners, officers and to the wider community throughout her more than 25 years of distinguished service. Evie has played an integral role in the operational and cultural transition of sentence management service provision, from a locally managed service, to a regionalised service delivery model with centralised accountability and a state-wide focus.
“Correctional Manager Industries at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (LGCC), Larry Guilfoyle is recognised for his demonstrated exemplary dedication to the LGCC, to QCS, and to prisoner rehabilitation, skills development and employability prospects throughout his more than 23 year career in corrective services. Larry has oversight of prisoners' employment and training and ensures Trade Instructors engage with prisoners meaningfully with a view to modelling pro-social behaviour and reducing recidivism, whilst also maintaining the safety and security of the workshops and centre more broadly.
“Acting Regional Manger Southern Region Community Corrections Superintendent Lucy Rockett is recognised for her high level of commitment to the QCS, and for prisoners across the Southern Region throughout her more than 18 year corrective services career. Lucy has oversight of five community corrections offices, and is responsible for the operational duties for the direct control and management of 2800 offenders.
“It is vitally important and appropriate that we formally recognise and celebrate the excellent work of our greatest assets; our people.” Commissioner Martin said.
“As we continue to position ourselves as a forward thinking, top-tier public safety agency, it is important for us to vital that we look to the guiding principles of Corrections 2030 and recognise and celebrate the excellence of our officers.”
Established in 2017, the ACM is awarded every year on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday (June) for distinguished service by correctional officers across Australia.
The Australian Corrections Medal features the Federation Star and bears the scales of justice and is surrounded by a laurel of Australian wattle.
The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.
