Minister praises Queensland’s first recipients of Australian Corrections Medal

Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan today paid tribute to Leslie Elliot, Correctional Manager of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre (Farm), and Ursula Roeder, Regional Manager of the North Coast Probation and Parole, as the inaugural recipients of the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM).

“Every year, we celebrate outstanding members of the public service as part of the Australia Day Honours List and the Queen’s Birthday Honours List,” Mr Ryan said.

“This year, for the first time, staff within the correctional services right across our nation are being recognised and honoured with the inaugural award of the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM).”

He said the ACM was awarded for distinguished service by an operational member of an Australian civilian correctional service and holds substantial significance within the Australian Honours System alongside existing services medal.

“Mr Elliott was instrumental in the establishment of the low security prisoner work camp in Innisfail that has been critical to the community recovery efforts in the wake of Cyclones Larry, Yasi and Ida,” Mr Ryan said.

“Ms Roeder undertakes a critical role overseeing the management of thousands of parolees and offenders in the North Coast Region of the Probation and Parole Service and has distinguished herself through years of dedication and service to Queensland, and her role leading the implementation of GPS tracking for dangerous sex offenders in this State.”

Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Martin APM joined the Minister in his congratulations of the outstanding contributions of Mr Elliott and Ms Roeder and the significant role their colleagues play in protecting Queenslanders.

“Mr Elliott and Ms Roeder are fitting recipients of this important award, and represent the diligence, professionalism and distinguished service expected of a national award,” Commissioner Martin said.

“The announcement of the ACM has come hot on the heels of our National Corrections Day celebrations between 15 and 19 January 2018 where we stopped to pay tribute to the outstanding and unsung efforts of our correctional staff in Queensland and our colleagues right across Australia.

“On behalf of Queensland Corrective Services I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr Elliott and Ms Roeder for their outstanding contributions to our department and to the State of Queensland.”

Award biographies

Mr Leslie Joseph ELLIOTT

Mr Elliott commenced employment with Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) as a prison officer at Her Majesty's Prison Rockhampton in 1979.  During his career he has served in a range of roles including as Staff Development Officer, Programs Officer, Dog Squad Officer, and as acting Deputy General Manager and General Manager at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. He was appointed to his current position as Correctional Manager Farm, Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in 1995. In his role at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre he is, first and foremost a Correctional Manager, and he has direct interaction with 124 prisoners who are housed at the low security facility. The Centre functions as a fully operational farm with beef cattle, orchards, banana plantation, eucalypt plantation and market garden.

In 2006, he was instrumental in the establishment of the permanent low security prisoner Work Camp at Innisfail which now houses 12 prisoners. At its inception, the Camp provided critical recovery assistance to the Innisfail community following the impact of Cyclone Larry and since that time it has provided essential community support recovery activities in the wake of Cyclones Yasi and Ida. On a daily basis, prisoners from Lotus Glen provide community services to the Mareeba, Tablelands and Cassowary Coast Council areas, and to a number of local not-for-profit organisations. He and his team support prisoners to access a variety of vocational courses, aimed at improving employment opportunities and skills post release.

In addition to maintaining the operations of both facilities, Mr Elliott actively engages with community stakeholders to ensure allocated projects are completed to the highest standards and that community safety is maintained.

Ms Ursula Kylea ROEDER

Ms Roeder commenced employment with Queensland Corrective Services in 1994 as a Custodial Correctional Officer at the former Sir David Langland Correctional Centre. She has provided over 23 years of distinguished service in a variety of positions including as a Custodial Psychologist, Project Manager and Director. First appointed as a Regional Manager in 2006, her current position is as Regional Manager, North Coast Region, Probation and Parole Service.  She brings a unique skill set to corrections, working across custodial, probation and parole and strategic settings, and has contributed to significant organisational change and strategic projects, including her role leading the successful implementation of GPS tracking for dangerous sexual offenders. She has led and managed the delivery of psychological and correctional services in custody and for many years has led the delivery of Probation and Parole Services in the North Coast region of Queensland.

 She has made outstanding contributions to the area of corrections and throughout her career has been called upon repeatedly to lead and manage significant projects, or contribute her invaluable operational expertise and strategic knowledge in furtherance of the business. She has improved the wellbeing of those in custody through the management and delivery of psychological and correctional services in custody and for many years has led the delivery of Probation and Parole Services in the North Coast region of Queensland. Ms Roeder is recognised for her dedication to promoting the role of corrections within the justice system and for her exemplary integrity, principled and focused leadership, management, mentoring of staff and her commitment to improving outcomes for inmates.  

Media contacts 

Sue Lappeman:                                                                    0418 792 406