Yearly Archives: 2026

OAM Award to LTCOL (Retd) Patrick Nunan

The following message was sent by Tony Wadeson, (President, Brisbane Branch, 31st Battalion Association)   to Associate Member Patrick Nunan following his Australia Day OAM Award:

Dear Patrick, On behalf of all members of the 31st Infantry Battalion Association, I congratulate  you, on your OAM award, “For Service to the community through a range of Organisations.”

When one is honoured for service to the Community through a “Range of Organisations” , that means a lot of devoted work on your part, to help others. A well deserved Honour to you. 
Patrick, we of the 31st Infantry Battalion Association, are very proud to have the the Honour to congratulate you.
Warmest Regards.
Tony Wadeson
31st Inf. Bn Assoc.
Tony has added the following notes:
Members, – For YOUR INFO:-  Mick James has passed on the undermentioned Official Information from the Govt. Files concerning Patrick NUNAN’s OAM award.
It is very impressive. – Patrick’s Service to the Toowoomba Community is an Understatement if ever there was!!! – 

Further Info, that some members may be unaware off.

Patrick Nunan OAM is an Associate Member of the 31st Bn Assoc. (Brisbane Branch). Patrick, is  a direct descendant of the 31st Battalion’s WW1 – VC Winner – PTE. Paddy BUGDEN VC who won his VC at the “Battle of Polygon Wood”. (Paddy’s story is available on this website.)

Paddy Bugden VC came from Alstonville, his parents owned the The Alstonville Hotel (Which still Stands in the Heart of Alstonville)

Alstonville is a beautiful Village on the Lismore – Ballina Rd. & there is a Monument to Paddy,  in the Centre of town. 

I emailed Patrick this morning congratulating him on behalf of the Association. 

Read on below, of Patrick NUNAN’s service to the Toowoomba Community.

Regards, Tony

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Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division

Mr Patrick Thomas Nunan RFD, Mount Lofty QLD 4350 For service to the community through a range of organisations.

 

Government

  • Vice President, Queensland Parole Board, 2003-2008.
  • Chairman, Southern Inland Queensland Area Consultative Committee Inc, 1994-2001.
  • Treasurer, Southern Inland Queensland Area Consultative Committee Inc, 2001-2002.
  • Chair, Work for the Dole National Selection Advisory Committee, 1997-2000.
  • Chair and Member, Toowoomba and Regional Employment and Training Network lnc, 1994-1998. Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba
  • Member, Diocesan Safeguarding Ministry, since 2019.
  • Guest Lecturer, Legal Issues, Occupational Health and Safety and Public Liability, since 1998.
  • Member, Advisory Board, Catholic Care Social Services, 2019-2023.
  • Member, Appeals Committee, 1990-1998. • Treasurer, St Thomas Moore’s Parish Council, 1982-1985.
  • Director and Chairman, Diocese Family Bookstore, 1982-1999. Downlands Sacred Heart College, Toowoomba
  • Chair, 2000-2004. • Board Member, 1995-1997. • Deputy Chairman, 1997-2000.
  • Honorary Solicitor, Past Students Union Inc, since 1974. Concannon College Board, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba • Chair, 2007.
  • Committee Member, 2005-2006. Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Inc
  • President, 1982-1984, and 1996-1997. • Committee Member, 1975-2002.
  • Chair, Centenary Presidents Sub-Committee – 100th Anniversary, 1998. • Life Member, since 1995.

 

Australian Army

  • Stand-by Reserve, 2003.
  • Lieutenant Colonel, 1998-2003.
  • Major, 1991-1998.
  • Guest Lecturer, Regional Training Centre South Queensland, 1998-2001.
  • Guest Lecturer, Advanced Legal Officers Course, ADFA, 2001.
  • Counsel Assisting, Board of Inquiry (801), 2000-2001
  • Commissioned Captain, Australian Army Legal Corps, 1980.

Darling Downs Committee of Employer Support for Reserve Forces and Darling Downs Defence Reserves Support Committee

  • Chair, 1983-1995.
  • Committee Member, 1995-2004.

 

Darling Downs Rugby Union Inc

  • Chairman, 1977-1979 and 1981-1984.
  • Committee Member, 1974-1976.
  • Manager, Darling Downs Rugby Union 1st XV, 1976.
  • Life Member, Darling Downs Junior Rugby Union (DDJRU), 1993. 358 of 522

 

Honours list: Australia Day 2026 Honours List

  • President, DDJRU, 1990-1993.
  • Management Committee Member, DDJRU, 1982-1983.
  • Co-Founder and Committee Member, Aubigny Rugby Club (now Toowoomba City Rugby Club), 1981.
  • Co-Founder, Life Member and Past President, South Toowoomba Junior Rugby Union.
  • Coach, Past Grammars Rugby Union 1st XV, 1976. Sport – Other
  • Honorary Solicitor, Rockville Rovers Soccer Club Inc, 2000-2007.
  • Past Chairman, Toowoomba Indoor Ball Sports Association, 1996-1997.
  • Trustee, Toowoomba Soccer Federation, 1978-1980.
  • President, Gold Park Sports Promotions Inc (West Indies v Wanderers World Series Cricket match, Gold Park, Toowoomba), 1977-1978.
  • Vice President, Toowoomba Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament Inc, 1993-1994.

 

Community – Other

  • Treasurer, Aboriginal and Islander’s Health Service, Brisbane, 1972-1974. Downs and South Western Law Association
  • Convenor, Accident Compensation Sub-Committee, 1991-1994.
  • President, 1987-1989. • Secretary, 1976-1978.
  • Member, since 1974.

 

The Law – Other

  • Honorary Solicitor, Darling Downs Historical Rail Society Ltd (DownsSteam), 2000-2022.
  • Honorary Solicitor, Milne Bay Military Museum Inc, 1990-2009.
  • Honorary Solicitor, Australian Army Flying Museum, 1990-2009.
  • Guest Speaker, Legal, ABC Regional Radio, Toowoomba, 1997-2009.
  • Member, Queensland Law Society Accident Compensation Committee, 1992-1994.
  • Chairman, Regional Review Committee Legal Aid Queensland, 1987-1989.
  • Member, Toowoomba Community Legal Service, 1982-1990.
  • Guest Lecturer, Legal, School of Nursing, the University of Southern Queensland, 1994-1998.

 

Professional

  • Manager, Aviation Department, Shine Lawyers, since 2013.
  • Executive Partner, Cleary and Lee Pty Ltd, 1974-2012.
  • Member, Australian Insurance Law Association, 1980-2016.
  • Member, Australian Aviation Law Institute, 2000-2016

 

Awards and Recognition include:

  • Honorary Life Member, Darling Downs Historical Rail Society Ltd, 2011.
  • Reserve Force Decoration, 1996, and Clasp, 2001.

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