Corrections officers recognised in Australia Day Honours
- Three Queensland Corrective Services officers to receive the Australian Corrections Medal for distinguished frontline service
Three Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) officers have been recognised for distinguished service to the frontline of public safety after being awarded the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) as part of the Australia Day Honours List for 2025.
Chief Superintendent Susan Burley, General Manager at Borallon Training and Correctional Centre, Lauren Thompson, Acting Director Community Corrections Operations, and recently retired Woodford Correctional Centre Dog Handler John Rowan were named in the honours list, with a combined 76-years of service across both custodial and community corrections.
Established in 2017, the ACM is awarded every year on Australia Day and the King's Birthday for distinguished service by correctional officers across Australia.
Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber MP said QCS officers played a vital role in community safety.
"We are all immensely proud to see their dedication recognised today," Minister Gerber said.
"On behalf of the Crisafulli Government and Queenslanders, I congratulate and thank this year's honourees for their leadership and service in custodial and community corrections.
"Their outstanding efforts on the frontline enhance lives and ensures the safety of Queensland communities."
Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM said he was incredibly proud of the impact QCS officers made in their commitment to the safety of the people of Queensland and their communities.
"Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Australian Corrections Medal, whose unwavering leadership and daily efforts help to reform prisoners and offenders and restore community safety," Commissioner Stewart said.
"This recognition highlights the extraordinary work our officers do in driving positive changes and outcomes for people in both a custodial and community corrections environment.
"On behalf of QCS, I extend my sincere congratulations to the three recipients of the Australian Corrections Medals for 2025 for this well-deserved honour."
Chief Superintendent Susan Burley
Acting Director Lauren Thompson
About the recipients:
Chief Superintendent Susan Burley, General Manager, Borallon Training and Correctional Centre:
Chief Superintendent Burley commenced with QCS in 2004 as a Custodial Correctional Officer at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre and has worked extensively across the agency in a variety of roles before commencing as Chief Superintendent, General Manager at Borallon Training and Correctional Centre in 2022.
Chief Superintendent Burley's exceptional leadership skills and ability to lead significant change and reform programs has transformed the centre into a positive and safer environment for officers and prisoners and increased accommodation and employment pathways for prisoners.
Lauren Thompson, A/Director, Community Corrections Operations:
Ms Thompson is a highly regarded and capable leader with over 20 years of distinguished service in predominantly frontline leadership positions since commencing with Queensland Corrective Services in 2004 as a Community Corrections Officer, at the Ipswich Community Corrections.
Ms Thompson led staff through the 2022 Ipswich flooding event which resulted in significant impact on the Ipswich Community Corrections District Office and offender reporting requirements, in addition to the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure minimal disruption to service delivery.
Ms Thompson was instrumental in the introduction of the FUSE Program at Ipswich Community Corrections targeting high risk recidivist offenders and introduced the Women's Estate at Ipswich to address the unique challenges faced by women under supervision.
John Rowan, Custodial Correctional Officer Dog Handler, Woodford Correctional Centre – Retired:
John Rowan's 36-year career commenced with Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) in 1988 at the original Woodford Correctional Centre. From 1997 he was a Dog Handler at Woodford and remained with the Dog Squad until he retired in 2024.
Mr Rowan notably excelled in emergency response, drug detection, and high security prisoner escorts through consistently demonstrating remarkable skill, professionalism, and dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the correctional facilities.
Mr Rowan has previously been recognised for his bravery and courage in the face of danger during a centre riot in 1997 and consistently went above and beyond the call of duty during his service.
