Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Honourable Robyn Mary McSweeney was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on the 13th June, 2022.

The Citation was, For service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia.

Through the years Robyn has been involved in a wide variety of community work, she has also served as a Member for the South West Region in the Legislative Council, firstly in opposition from 2001 until 2008 then as part of the government from 2008 to 2013.

Robyn was delighted to receive the award which is in recognition of the work she has undertaken throughout her years of service, in helping to improve the lives of those living in Western Australia.

Robyn with gracious thanks went on to say, “Receiving the OAM was quite a surprise. I felt a sense of real pride to be a given the award, along with feeling humble, knowing the fact this award is shared with those who across the years have supported me, especially my family and colleagues. Without their support I could not have committed as much time and effort as I have with community projects and serving in State Parliament. My thanks go out to all those who have contributed to me receiving this award.”

Robyn is now the sixth person in Bridgetown to receive the OAM. Bernard O'Reilly was given the medal in 1986 for his services to St. John Ambulance, William Harold Rowan-Robinson was awarded one in 1987 for service to the community, Patrick Scallan was award one in 2015 for service to local government and the community, Thomas Nigel Jones was award one in 2018 for his service to medicine as a general practitioner and Adrian Elder was awarded one in 2021 for service to the community of Bridgetown.

Robyn has recently published a book about her great, great grandfather Albert Edmund Cockram titled ‘King of the Racecourse 1870 - 1943’ and in doing so she has brought back some lost recognition for his achievements; he being the largest importer of thoroughbreds into Australia, horse breeding and racing at his Belmont Racecourse.

Her work in showcasing his life is soon to recognized with an ‘Induction into the Racing Hall of Fame’ for Albert.

As a by-line Robyn went on to say, “Being a politician I got used to receiving ‘brickbats’ rather than any compliments, so people congratulating me on receiving this honour is lovely.”

Some of the community work Robyn has been involved with covers a wide variety of roles within Bridgetown and Greenbushes.

Robyn did two terms as a Shire Councillor. She was also President of the Child Health centre, President of the Bridgetown Telecentre which is now the CRC, Secretary of Geegeelup Village Aged Care for many years, Secretary of the Tennis Club, a netball coach and been a Justice of the Peace since 1992.

Whilst in Government she served as the Minister for Child Protection, Community Services, Seniors and Volunteering from 2008-2013, from 2010-2013 she was the Minister for Youth and also Minister for Women’s Interests from 2009-2013.

In all it is a very considerable contribution she has made for the betterment of the country.