Four prominent Australian aviators have been recognised in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours list, the first to be issued under King Charles III.
Two of those were awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and two were honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
The AMs went to Leach Aero Services founder Roger Leach and aviation medicine expert Prof. David Newman, with OAMs going to Kerry Schiemer of NSW and Warwick Gliding Club’s Valerie Wilkinson.
Roger Leach AM
Roger Leach is a living legend of aviation in the top end. Leach started his aviation journey in Canada as an Aviation Specialist for De Havilland Canada, before launching Leach Aero Services in Alice Springs in 1975. That company would go on to encompass Central Australian Helicopters, Skyport, Chartair and regional airline Airnorth. As an aircraft engineer, Leach also plied his trade in The Bahamas and PNG, and assisted NASA with their High Altitude Balloon project. Leach is also working on a project to develop an engineering precinct at Darwin Airport. In 2022 he became an honorary member of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) recognising his contribution to regional aviation.
Prof. David Newman AM
David Newman is perhaps the pre-eminent aviation medical expert in Australia. Specialising in the fields of physiological effects and human performance, Professor Newman has held several positions at tertiary institutions around the world, including:
- Visiting Professor of Aerospace Medicine – Kings College, London
- Professor of Aviation Medicine and Founder and Head, Aviation Medicine Unit – Monash University
- Head of Research, Department of Aviation – Swinburne University
- Senior Research Fellow – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Newman has also founded or co-founded Flightcare Global and the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a former chairman of the Aerospace Medical Association. He has served as Chief Instructor at the Royal Australian Air Force’s Institute of Aviation Medicine and on the Specialist Medical Review Council for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Professor Newman has written two books: High G Flight: Physiological Effects and Countermeasures, and Fast Jets: Human Factors and Performance Limitations.
Kerry Schiemer OAM
There will be few pilots that fly in the Newcastle/Hunter Valley area that don’t know the name of Kerry Schiemer. Flight Instructor, CFI, Chief Pilot, CASA ATO and Independent CASA ATO; Schiemer has made a significant contribution to GA, all whilst remaining a hobby aviator. A stalwart of Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Schiemer joined RNAC in 1968 and served as Club Captain for three years and as director for 17 years. Schiemer also coached RNAC’s National Championships team. On the side, he was Chief Pilot and CFI for RAAF Williamtown Flying Club and Approved Testing Officer. He is a Life Member at both aero clubs. He also served as Civilian Pharmacist for RAAF Williamtown 1988-92.
Valerie Wilkinson OAM
Valerie Wilkinson’s contribution to the Warwick Gliding Club in QLD cannot be overstated. Since joining in 1971, she has served stints in most of the important offices, including President (1995-96), Vice President (2000-04), Secretary (2000-05) and Treasurer (1979-80). Wilkinson was also the clubs Tug Master for 21 years from 1998-2019, a Pilot Officer and Instructor with the Australian Air Force Cadets for 37 years between 1982-2019. The Australian Women Pilots Association recognised Wilkinson’s contribution with their Gliding Award three times: 1981, 1997 and again in 2012.
Australian Flying congratulates these prominent aviators on their well-deserved honours.