Queen's Birthday Honours 2009

We are delighted to announce that two of our members have been honoured by appointments to the Order of Australia in recognition of their outstanding achievement and service to the community.

Lennie McCall AM

Lennie has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the preservation and promotion of history through state and national organisations, and to librarianship.  

Her professional career as a librarian began as a young cadet in 1956 and at her retirement in 1998, she was the Director of the J S Battye Library of West Australian History.  As one of Western Australia’s pre-eminent librarians she has been instrumental in shaping policy and practice for the State Library and the Battye Library.  As Director of the Battye Library Lennie was responsible for lifting its profile and attracting donations of valuable and unique Western Australian materials. She is also a strong advocate for the development of library and information services for Indigenous people and communities.

Lennie had been a key member of the History Council since its formation.  She has been a leading light of the Friends of Battye Library and was one of the driving forces behind the successful Historical Records Rescue Consortium.  She is also Chairman of Council for the Royal Western Australian Historical Society.   Gracious and charming, with a keen sense of humour, Lennie is indefatigable in her commitment to collecting and preserving Western Australia’s history.  

Ruth Marchant James OAM

Ruth has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through the documentation of the history of Western Australia.   She is a celebrated author, historian and leading authority on Western Australian history, particularly, that of the foundation of the Swan River Colony and the early years of Western Australia.  Her most recent book is Cottesloe - a town of distinction which won the Premier’s award for History in 2008.

Ruth has been a Committee member of the History Council since the beginning and is always generous with her time and knowledge.  One of her favourite sayings is, “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.”  Even in her senior years, there is not much Ruth can’t do.  Her humour, energy, enthusiasm and zest for life are truly remarkable. 

Our warmest congratulations to both Lennie and Ruth on their well-deserved honours.