13 February 2007
THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
To be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
Brigadier Mark Wheeler
Colonels’ List, New Zealand Army
In 2005, Acting Brigadier Mark Wheeler was seconded to the Defence Sustainability Initiative programme, where he represented the Army’s perspective on the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review, and then established the Army Capability Review team.
BRIG Wheeler translated the Government’s defence priorities into effective and practical plans, by analysing the short and long-term strategic goals and using these to develop a framework for the Army’s future capabilities.
He continually looked for ways to expand on the original ideas, enhancing and adding to the ideas of project experts. In developing options for consideration, he also displayed excellent change management and communication skills.
To be Members of the said Order (MNZM)
Major Gordon Benfell
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
MAJ Gordon Benfell has been a consistent, passionate advocate for improving shooting skills in the NZ Army.
He was one of the first qualified snipers and sniper supervisors in the Army. From 1976 onwards, he was instrumental in training personnel in sniper skills. He has been the major influence in the successes of the NZ Army Rifle and Combat Shooting teams as an umpire and captain, and in his current roles as an administrator, coach and mentor for younger marksmen.
MAJ Benfell has been actively involved in introducing the Steyr rifle and the C9 Light Support Weapon, as well as the sniper rifle replacement programme and the organisation of the annual Queen’s Medal and Freyberg shooting competitions. He has also written a manual on small arms training and a shooting coaches’ guide.
Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Tracy
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
As Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion RNZIR Linton Military Camp from July 2003 to December 2005, LT COL Darryl Tracy was responsible for introducing the NZLAV into service within the battalion, and changing it from a light infantry unit into a highly flexible and capable cavalry structure.
This placed 1 RNZIR at the fore of the Army’s modernisation process with the change from a light infantry unit to a highly flexible and capable cavalry structure. The associated challenges ranged from re-orienting training requirements that reflected the enhanced capability to developing a fleet management regimen where none had previously existed. The introduction to service of the NZLAV required changing techniques and procedures overcoming command and control difficulties, addressing safety requirements, and most importantly, leading his unit. By December 2005 he was able to successfully deploy and manoeuvre on exercise a battalion that included 51 NZLAV and over 100 other vehicles.
To be Additional Members of the Said Order (MNZM)
Captain Neville Mosley
Royal New Zealand Engineers
As the Engineer Officer of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan from December 2005 to May 2006, CAPT Neville Mosley managed many humanitarian aid and reconstruction projects.
Because of his warm and open manner, project management skills, and genuine concern for the local people, he quickly earned the respect and trust of agencies funding the projects and the heads of the local villages (shura).
CAPT Mosley discreetly mentored and encouraged local government officials, guiding them in a manner that preserved their dignity and enhanced their standing in the community. He taught them to hold contractors to account for non-performance, which improved service delivery and ensured that funding agencies got the best value for money.
Lieutenant Mark Sydney
Royal New Zealand Military Police
LT Mark Sydney commanded a Liaison and Observation Team in the Western Republic of Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from September 2005 to April 2006.
His role involved enabling liaison, conciliation and positive interaction between three ethnic groups that were at war only 10 years ago. He established a programme of lectures for young people on drug use, to counter criminal elements who were preying on Bosnian youth.
Through his energetic and engaging manner, professional focus, and diplomacy, he quickly gained the trust of the population and aided progress in the region.
THE QUEEN'S SERVICE ORDER
To receive the Queen's Service Medal for Public Services (QSM)
Mr George Pearson
Army General Staff
Mr George Pearson has been the NZ Army’s publications manager for over 20 years, since he retired from a lengthy career in the Army. He has developed the Army publications programme, including transferring print publications into electronic formats; developing and cataloguing the film library; and developing the website. He is an authoritative source on the Army’s history, traditions and personnel.