Cootamundra man Warrant Officer Class One Paul Justin Simpfendorfer was presented with the Order of Australia Medal this month at Government House in Melbourne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer was told he was being awarded the OAM in June for meritorious service in the field of Forward Arming and Refueling and Aviation Special Operations and as Leadership Package Master at the Warrant Officer and non Commissioned Officer Academy.
The award was announced in the Queens Birthday Honours List and due to his work circumstances, Mr Mr Simpfendorfer had to wait until this month for an investiture ceremony with Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria.
Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer’s parents John and Maureen Simpfendorfer and his sister Kylie McIntyre were present for the auspicious occasion on September 5.
Maureen said Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer was notified in June that he would receive the honour after being nominated by a Brigadier in the Army.
“He received his notification in that list, and because he is posted in Victoria at the moment, that’s why it was done in Victoria even though he is a NSW person,” she said.
“Each state takes a while to get themselves organised to do their investitures, and that’s why it’s a couple of months down the track from when he was actually notified.”
Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer was born and raised in Cootamundra and attended E.A. Southee Primary school then Sacred Heart secondary and finally years 11 and 12 at Cootamundra High School.
He joined the 256RCU Army Cadet Unit in 1987 where he quickly rose to the rank of Cadet Under Officer and leaving Cadets on completion of his HSC.
Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer joined the Australian Defence Force in 1994 and has had a distinguished career to date being awarded Army commendations for his exemplary service,and rising to the current rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.
Maureen said the investiture was a great occasion and a good chance to catch up with family as Warrant Officer Simpfendorfer moved around a lot for his job.
“It was a very impressive ceremony with lots of recipients; we were seated in the Grand Ballroom of Government House, which was certainly a very gorgeous looking room,” she said.
“The recipients were called on one-by-one and entered the room from one end and were presented by their medal, which was pinned on them.
“When that was finally done, the Governor gave a speech and then there was refreshments in the State Apartments afterwards.”