Firefighter and Manly Station Officer, Peta Miller has been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) in the General Division in this year’s King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List.
“I feel very fortunate, and very surprised, to be recognised for something that has simply been a rewarding part of my life and career,” Miller told Manly Observer.
“This recognition belongs as much to the people I have worked alongside as it does to me, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given to learn, serve and grow.”
The King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List, announced by the Governor-General, includes people who were nominated by the Australian community and then recommended to the Governor-General by the independent Council for the Order of Australia. It also includes people put forward by organisations responsible for recommending meritorious, and conspicuous honours.
949 Australians were recognised, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards, and recognition for conspicuous service.
“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia,” the Governor-General said.
“In our communities, in workplaces and across the country, recipients have made an exceptional contribution to Australia.”
Station Officer Miller began her service with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) in 2005.
Over the past 20 years, she has served in a range of frontline hazardous roles, including nearly a decade at City of Sydney Fire Station, FRNSW’s largest and busiest station, where she gained advanced qualifications in Heavy Rescue and Ladder Platform operations. She has also served at Forestville as a Hazmat Technician and Manly fire stations and currently holds the rank of station officer at Manly. Throughout her career, she has remained actively involved in complex operational roles, particularly in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).
In 2011, she represented the fire service at the Australasian and World Road Rescue Challenges in Wellington and, in 2018, played an instrumental role in the Australian and New Zealand USAR task force deployed to Tonga following Tropical Cyclone Gita.
Station Officer Miller also represented FRNSW at multiple international exercises and served as a board member of the agency’s Relief and Welfare Fund, supporting firefighters and families through hardship.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside many people who have influenced me throughout my career, including my husband, Brent,” Miller said.
“I’m grateful to those who have taken the time to lead with integrity, passion, and kindness, and to share their knowledge and experience.
“I feel grateful to have served alongside so many dedicated people and within so many supportive communities through FRSNSW.
“We often describe the workplace as a family, and for me that reflects the genuine care, trust and belonging that exists within our teams and the communities we serve.”
The King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List – Member of the Order of Australia
Warringah
The late Professor Edward James Blakely (NSW)
For significant service to urban planning, to regional development, and to social justice.
Deborah Coakley (NSW)
For significant service to business in the property and investment sector.
Lyn Cobley (Mosman)
For significant service to the business and financial sector through executive roles.
Christine Wendy Holgate (Mosman)
For significant service to business through a range of executive roles.
James Ian Pagent (Mosman)
For significant service to the community through not-for-profit organisations.
Helen Maree Conway (Wollstonecraft)
For distinguished service to business and legal governance, to youth social welfare, to gender equity, and to the not-for-profit sector.
Martijn Brian Wilder AM (Mosman)
For distinguished service to environmental conservation, to the renewable energy sector, to sustainable finance, to animal welfare, and to the law.
Marianne Birch (NSW)
For service to the finance industry.
Elizabeth Anne Bowditch (Balgowlah Heights)
Founder of the Gidget Foundation Australia for service to the community through charitable initiatives.
Mary Lou Byrne (NSW)
For service to the community through refugee support.
Brian Davidson (NSW)
For service to community health.
Kristina Jackson (Mosman)
For service to the community through a range of organisations.
Anne Louise Johnston (Fairlight)
For service to child cancer support.
Dr Ross Duncan Macpherson (Seaforth)
For service to medicine as an anaesthetist.
Keith Pester (Freshwater)
For service to football, and to the community.
Brian Warwick Ralph (Manly)
For service to secondary education
Simone Antoinette Short (Mosman)
For service to the community through charitable initiatives.
David Torevell (Seaforth)
For service to surf lifesaving, and to the community.
Peter Roy Warwick- Mayo (North Sydney)
For service to community history.
Mackellar
Lisa Annese (NSW)
For significant service to the community through social welfare organisations.
Professor Simon Darcy (Terrey Hills)
For significant service to tertiary education, and to inclusion and accessible environments.
Professor Attila Joseph Brungs (NSW)
For distinguished service to tertiary education leadership, to research and innovation, and to social justice and equity.
Dr Imad Berro (NSW)
For service to the Arabic community of New South Wales.
Max Albert Carstedt (NSW)
For service to electrical engineering.
Eric Galloway (Belrose)
For service to sport, particularly rugby league.
The late Richard Lindsay Gordon (Killarney Heights)
For service to the communities of Killarney Heights and Forestville.
Valerie May Gordon (NSW)
For service to the communities of Forestville and Killarney Heights.
Josephine Daisy Harpur (Collaroy)
For service to the community of the Northern Beaches.
Dr Timothy Martin Harpur (Collaroy)
For service to the community of the Northern Beaches.
Sally Irwin (Northern Beaches)
For service to the community, particularly to survivors of modern slavery.
Peter Morton Kinsey (Dee Why)
For service to surf lifesaving.
Tracey John Lake (Dee Why)
For service to surf lifesaving.
Franciscus Joseph Pikardt (Frenchs Forest)
For service to secondary education.
James Frederick Sargeant (Manly)
For service to sailing.
Margaret Blair Small (Warriewood)
For service to nursing.
Matthew Vertzonis CSM RFD (Narrabeen)
For service to veterans and their families.
Keith Raymond Welsh (NSW)
For service to the performing arts, particularly through music.
Dr Mark Alexander Williams (Mona Vale)
For service to tertiary education.
