On behalf of the Squadron we would like to give our heartiest congratulations to Squadron Member John Cuneo for his award of the OAM, Past Commodore Wallace Bishop for his award of the AM, and Squadron Member Mark Gower OAM (Mil) for his award of the AM in the Queen’s Birthday honours. These exceptional gentlemen have no shortage of services they have provided through a range of roles. Below are a number of significant accomplishments that were acknowledged in the provision of their honours. 

Past Commodore, Mr. Wallace BISHOP AM
For significant service to the community through a range of roles, to business, and to the retail industry.

Service includes:

• Chair, Wallace Bishop Group, since 1949.
• Former Member, Jewellery Association of Australia.
• Former Councillor, Queensland Retail Association.
• Former Councillor, National Retail Association.

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron:

• Commodore, 1986-1988.
• Vice Commodore, 1984-1986.
• Rear Commodore, 1982-1984.
• Member, since 1953.
• Life Member, 1990.

Rotary Club of Brisbane:

• Board Member, 2 years, several times.
• President, 1978-1979.
• Member, since 1960.
• Founder, Queensland Surf Lifesaving Foundation,1978. (This foundation, with agreement of the Rotary Club of Brisbane, was subsequently amalgamated with the larger foundation held by Surf Lifesaving Queensland).

Mr. John Bruce CUNEO OAM
For service to sailing.

Service includes:

Australian Olympic Team:

• Coach and Selector, Sailing, 1979-1980.
• Gold Medallist, Dragon Class, Munich Olympic Games, 1972.
• 5th place, Dragon Class, Mexico Olympic Games, 1968.
• Foundation Member, International Yachting Foundation.
• Vice-President, Australian Yachting Federation, 1963-1964.
• President, Queensland Yachting Association, 1962-1963.

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron:

• Executive Committee Member, 1953-1954, and 1980-1982.
• Member, Sailing Committee, 1976-1979.
• Yachtsman of the Year, 1967/68, 1968/69, and 1972/73.
• Foundation Member, Wyuna Syndicate.
• Life Member.
• Member, since 1946.
• Patron, Australian Sharpie Sailing Association.

Queensland Lightweight Sharpie Association:

• President, 1960-1965.
• Life Member and Patron.
• President, Wright Intermediate Class Association (Junior Sailing), 1978-1979.
• President, Queensland 12m2 Sharpie Association, 1957-1959.

Australian Champion:

• 12m2 Sharpie Class, 1956, 1958, and 1960;
• Lightweight Sharpie Class, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965;
• International 505 Class, 1966; and
• Dragon Class, 1967, 1968, and 1969.
• Winner, Australian Yachting Masters Regatta, 1991.
• Winner, Queensland Etchells Championship, 1982.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Inductee, Queensland Sport Hall of Fame, 2009.
• Australian Sports Medal, 2000.
• Inductee, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, 1988.
• Order of Merit, Queensland Olympic Council, 1986.
• Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal, 1977.
• Recipient, Lindy Award, 1972.
• Queensland Sportsman of the Year, 1972.

Australian Yachtsman of the Year, 1968.

Mr. Mark Gower AM, OAM (Mil)
For service to the Crown, and to public administration in Queensland.

Services include:

• Government House Queensland Official Secretary, Governor of Queensland, since 2008.
• Fellow, Centre of Emergency and Disaster Management, 2013 – 2016.
• University of Queensland Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, 2012 – 2014.
• Life Member: The Order of Australia, Queensland Branch.
• Life Member: The Returned Services League of Australia. Queensland Branch.

Awards and recognition includes:

• Recipient, Medal, Order of Australia (Military Division), 1995.
• Recipient, Australian Active Service Medal, Clasp East Timor, 2001.
• Recipient, Meritorious Service Medal, United States Armed Forces.
• Recipient, Defense Force Services Medal, 1st Clasp, 2000; 2nd Clasp, 2005.