Dr ALY: Greenwood resident Michael Romalis was recently awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Mr Romalis is a retired Army colonel and has received recognition for his volunteer services and supporting veterans and their families. He served in the Australian Army for 38 years in a variety of roles before retiring in 2018. His operational service was mainly in East Timor during the early 2000s, and he now does Public Service work at the RAAF Base Pearce. He served as President of the Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association in the Tasmanian branch, President of the Naval, Military & Air Force Club of Tasmania and Vice-President of the Greater Hobart RSL. Between 2012 and 2018, Mr Romalis founded and coordinated the Veterans' & Families Garden Plot in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

Mr Romalis and his wife Galina moved to Perth three years ago to be closer to their grandchildren, who they're absolutely blessed to have. He continues to be involved with the APPVA as its WA regional coordinator and volunteers with Buddy Up Australia, which started in Perth. He says that Buddy Up differed from other ex-service organisations by giving veterans an avenue to get together for social and community activities. I would like to warmly congratulate Mr Romalis and to thank him for his service to Australia.

ENDS